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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.

Overcoming Political Exclusion: Strategies for marginalized groups to successfully engage in political decision-making

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May 7, 2014

Overcoming Political Exclusion: Strategies for marginalized groups to successfully engage in political decision-making

This publication, published in 2013 by the International Institute for Elec

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This publication, published in 2013 by the International Institute for Elec

Sonia Palmieri

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Sonia Palmieri

Dr Sonia Palmieri is a consultant in gender and political leadership, and was formerly t

Interviews

Dr. Amal Abdullah Al Qubaisi

Submitted by iKNOW Politics on
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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

Interviews

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

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