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.
Sheikh Hasina, the winner of Bangladesh's parliamentary election last month, was sworn in as the country's prime minister on Tuesday, ending two years of rule by an army-backed interim government.It will be her second time in the office.
APWLD strongly supports Dame Carol Kidu, the only female Member of Parliament in Papua New Guinea (PNG), in her efforts to get three more women to serve in the PNG Parliament.Dame Carol Kidu has untiringly spearheaded efforts to bring more women into PNG's parliament.
It’s monsoon season here and dawns often bring a sodden feeling and gray rain.But on August 4, when Mu Sochua arrived at the Phnom Penh courthouse, the air crackled with intensity.As the world knows by now, the Cambodian member of parliament and internationally-renowned leader in women’s rights w
"The Botswana Caucus for Women in Politics has failed to realise the objectives it was intended for, but we will not give up on it just yet," says Margaret Nasha.
During her visit to Panama 16-17 April, UN Women Executive Director Michelle Bachelet will participate in the meeting of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) General Assembly. Ms. Bachelet will also meet with the President of Panama and Panamanian women’s organizations.
First ever Mock Parliament for Women begins in Kiribati.
PRESS RELEASE: Kiribati Women Show Their Skills in Parliament
The National Assembly in Pakistan passed a new bill unanimously on January 19 to protect women’s rights in the region,allowing the work of Pakistan’s National Commission for Women to have ‘more teeth.’ The new bill is expected to pass easily through Pakistan’s Senate.
A Practical Guide to Constitution Building, a first-of-its kind in the field of constitution building, is to be launched by International IDEA in New York on 5 March 2012, with the participation of former President Cassam Uteem of Mauritius.