Dr Sonia Palmieri is a consultant in gender and political leadership, and was formerly t
Sonia Palmieri
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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.
Interviews
Dr. Amal Abdullah Al Qubaisi
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November 7, 2013
Dr. Amal Abdullah Al Qubaisi
Deputy Speaker of the Federal National Council of the United Arab Emirates
Dr. Amal Abdullah Al Qubaisi
Deputy Speaker of the Federal National Council of the United Arab Emirates
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Dr. Amal Abdullah Al Qubaisi
Deputy Speaker of the Federal National Council of the United Arab Emirates
e-Discussions
Challenges for women in politics: the glass ceiling - stereotypes in terms of portfolio assignments
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Challenges for women in politics: the glass ceiling - stereotypes in terms of portfolio assignments
“The principles of gender-sensitive parliaments can be advanced if women occupy leadership positions as parliamentarians and as key members of parliamentary staff, as they are in a position to influence policy directions, change parliamentary procedure and practices, serve as role models to other women and provide a different perspective in debates” - Plan of Action for Gender-sensitive Parliaments, IPU, 2013
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“The principles of gender-sensitive parliaments can be advanced if women occupy leadership positions as parliamentarians and as key members of parliamentary staff, as they are in a position to influence policy directions, change parliamentary procedure and practices, serve as role models to other women and provide a different perspective in debates” - Plan of Action for Gender-sensitive Parliaments, IPU, 2013
Induction Course for Parliamentarians
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August 26, 2013
Induction Course for Parliamentarians
This 'Induction for First-Time Parliamentarians' course is designed for legislators who are new to parliament, and for parliamentary staff, practitioners, donors, civil society organisations and others who want to learn about how parliament works.
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This 'Induction for First-Time Parliamentarians' course is designed for legislators who are new to parliament, and for parliamentary staff, practitioners, donors, civil society organisations and others who want to learn about how parliament works.
e-Discussions
Political Financing for Women
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Political Financing for Women
Money is essential for the operations of political parties, and particularly affects candidates in electoral processes. Political financing regulations can effect women’s access to run as candidates, be elected, campaign and reach out to the population. Regulations on political funding are used to level the playing field in electoral competition. They can also work to ensure that women are able to compete on a more equal footing with men. This in turn may result in women’s increased political participation; a key feature of democracy.
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Money is essential for the operations of political parties, and particularly affects candidates in electoral processes. Political financing regulations can effect women’s access to run as candidates, be elected, campaign and reach out to the population. Regulations on political funding are used to level the playing field in electoral competition. They can also work to ensure that women are able to compete on a more equal footing with men. This in turn may result in women’s increased political participation; a key feature of democracy.
Interviews
Safiatou Traoré
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April 1, 2013
Safiatou Traoré
Member of the National Assembly of Mali
Member of the National Assembly of Mali
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Member of the National Assembly of Mali
Interviews
Farkhunda Zahra Naderi
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March 26, 2013
Farkhunda Zahra Naderi
Member of Parliament of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan
Member of Parliament of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan
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Member of Parliament of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan
e-Discussions
Political Party Recruitment System for Women
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Political Party Recruitment System for Women
IKAT US Component 1 lead by Partnership for Governance Reform in Indonesia (Kemitraan) and in partnership with the NDI for International Affairs along with regional partners: Indonesian Women's Coalition (KPI), Persatuan Komuniti Selangor (EMPOWER) from Malaysia, Women's Caucus from Timor Leste, the Cambodian Center for Human Rights (CCHR), the Center for Popular Empowerment from the Philippines work together to strengthen representative democracy and the political rights of women by advocating the promoti
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IKAT US Component 1 lead by Partnership for Governance Reform in Indonesia (Kemitraan) and in partnership with the NDI for International Affairs along with regional partners: Indonesian Women's Coalition (KPI), Persatuan Komuniti Selangor (EMPOWER) from Malaysia, Women's Caucus from Timor Leste, the Cambodian Center for Human Rights (CCHR), the Center for Popular Empowerment from the Philippines work together to strengthen representative democracy and the political rights of women by advocating the promoti
e-Discussions
Parliamentary Action on Elimination and Prevention of Violence Against Women
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Parliamentary Action on Elimination and Prevention of Violence Against Women
The priority theme of the 57th UN Commission of the Status of Women will be the elimination and prevention of all forms of violence against women and girls.
Inequalities in women's lives are complex and intersected and violence against women and girls can be tackled from many angles by different stakeholders.
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The priority theme of the 57th UN Commission of the Status of Women will be the elimination and prevention of all forms of violence against women and girls.
Inequalities in women's lives are complex and intersected and violence against women and girls can be tackled from many angles by different stakeholders.