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Parliaments and Representatives

Democracy and the equal participation of men and women in the political arena are closely intertwined. No parliament or any decision-making body can claim to be representative without the participation of both men and women. As stated in the Universal Declaration on Democracy adopted by the Inter-Parliamentary Union’s Member Parliaments in 1997, "The achievement of democracy presupposes a genuine partnership between men and women in the conduct of the affairs of society in which they work in equality and complementarity, drawing mutual enrichment from their differences."

Recent years have seen a steady increase in the number of women in parliament, though the world average of less than 22 percent remains far from the goal of parity between women and men. The election of women to the highest positions of state and government in several countries has also contributed to the changing face of politics.

While the road to election is a difficult one, the challenges for women do not stop there. Once women enter parliament or other bodies, they are faced with many new challenges. Parliament is traditionally a male-oriented domain where the rules and practices have been written by men. It is, therefore, an ongoing challenge to transform parliament into a gender-sensitive environment, to ensure that actions are gender-sensitive and to guarantee that gender is mainstreamed throughout the legislature.

Book on Financing for Gender Equality: Realising Women’s Rights through Gender Responsive Budgeting

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April 10, 2017

Book on Financing for Gender Equality: Realising Women’s Rights through Gender Responsive Budgeting

April 4, 2017
Young people under 30 account for only 1.9% of world parliamentarians

Only 1.9 per cent of lawmakers are

April 4, 2017
Bringing the voices of women parliamentarians to CSW 61

The IPU held several events during

April 4, 2017
Somali women leaders embrace obstacles with courage and confidence

Women in Somalia continue to face significant obstacles that limit their political participation.

April 4, 2017
Hope for change as Kenya court rules one-third of MPs must be women

NAIROBI — Kenyan activists on

April 4, 2017
Cabo Verde: Female parliamentarians deliver documents to ministries to advance gender equality

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Youth Political Participation

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Youth Political Participation

Young people are often excluded or overlooked as political candidates. Politics is typically regarded as a space for politically experienced men, and while women are often disadvantaged in accumulating experience to run for office, young people are systematically marginalized because of their young age, limited opportunities, and projected lack of experience. As the increased political participation of women benefits society as a whole, the presence of young people in decision-making positions benefits all citizens and not just youth.

Young people are often excluded or overlooked as political candidates. Politics is typically regarded as a space for politically experienced men, and while women are often disadvantaged in accumulating experience to run for office, young people are systematically marginalized because of their young age, limited opportunities, and projected lack of experience. As the increased political participation of women benefits society as a whole, the presence of young people in decision-making positions benefits all citizens and not just youth.

March 30, 2017
Canada: New Brunswick's government to give political parties financial incentives to field women candidates

FREDERICTON -- New Brunswick's gove