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.
On Monday, President Andrzej Duda swore in the new government of Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki, who will have two weeks to secure a vote of confidence. Most of the ministers have been swapped, although some previously served as deputy ministers.
Historically, international relations have been one of the fields with the lowest female representation within the world of politics: except for a few notable exceptions, diplomacy has typically been a “man’s world” (Barrios Baron, 2020; Cengiz, 2023
Historically, international relations have been one of the fields with the lowest female representation within the world of politics: except for a few notable exceptions, diplomacy has typically been a “man’s world” (Barrios Baron, 2020; Cengiz, 2023
British TV features plenty of women who wield power. This is unsurprising. But what we see little of is scrutiny of how these women are presented and the associated narratives.
British TV features plenty of women who wield power. This is unsurprising. But what we see little of is scrutiny of how these women are presented and the associated narratives.
It has been a spectacular fall from grace for the Home Secretary, Suella Braverman. After being unceremoniously sacked from her position, her divisive reign as one of the highest-ranking ministers in this country has come to an end.
It has been a spectacular fall from grace for the Home Secretary, Suella Braverman. After being unceremoniously sacked from her position, her divisive reign as one of the highest-ranking ministers in this country has come to an end.
SENATE President Mabel Chinomona has condemned violence against female legislators saying it erodes trust and confidence that citizens place in their elected representatives.
SENATE President Mabel Chinomona has condemned violence against female legislators saying it erodes trust and confidence that citizens place in their elected representatives.
BRUSSELS — The European Parliament is considering changing its rules to improve the gender balance of its committees.
Women’s underrepresentation at all levels of government is a persistent problem in the United States.
Women’s underrepresentation at all levels of government is a persistent problem in the United States.
Only 26.5% of the world’s parliamentarians are women, placing the world on the back foot in achieving gender parity, but Namibia could achieve its 50/50 target by 2025.
Men still dominate political decision-making in the United Kingdom.
Men still dominate political decision-making in the United Kingdom.