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.
None of the 10 women who contested the Vanuatu national election on Tuesday have succeeded in winning a seat.
The Global Gender Gap Index introduced by the World Economic Forum in 2006, is a framework for capturing the magnitude and scope of gender-based disparities and tracking their progress.
The Global Gender Gap Index introduced by the World Economic Forum in 2006, is a framework for capturing the magnitude and scope of gender-based disparities and tracking their progress.
Egypt's National Council for Women will start a training program to enhance women's political participation in the country's upcoming parliamentary elections.
Guam Congresswoman Bordallo spoke at the official opening ceremony for 20th Convention of the Federation of Asia-Pacific Women’s Association [FAWA].
Guam is hosting this year's FAWA Convention for the 5th time. It is taking place this weekend at the Hyatt.
INCREASING representation for women in parliament is important, but the legislative body should also mold its codes, ethics and practi
UN Women is inviting you to participate in a survey to assess the specific resource needs for its Knowledge Gateway on Women’s Economic Empowerment, to promote information and knowledge-sharing, collaboration and learning.
Warm greetings from the United Nations Development Programme Asia-Pacific Regiona
The key issues of women's access to parliament and to internal parliamentary structures kicked off an engaged and lively debate at the 7th IPU Meeting of Women Speakers of Parliament in New Delhi on 3rd October.
Women speakers of parliament from around the world have committed to doing more to increase women’s representation in parliament and its formal decision-making bodies.