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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.

Women in National Parliaments: World Classification

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February 16, 2007

Women in National Parliaments: World Classification

This table lists country-specific data concerning the number of women presently holding seats in national parliaments.

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This table lists country-specific data concerning the number of women presently holding seats in national parliaments.

Strengthening Women's Political Participation in Indonesia

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February 16, 2007

Strengthening Women's Political Participation in Indonesia

This report presents an overview of the debates and discussions that resulted from International IDEA’s gender activities in Indonesia in 2002.

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This report presents an overview of the debates and discussions that resulted from International IDEA’s gender activities in Indonesia in 2002.

Electoral Processes in Selected Countries of the Middle East: A Case Study

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February 15, 2007

Electoral Processes in Selected Countries of the Middle East: A Case Study

The paper includes three brief case studies of the electoral processes in Yemen, Lebanon and Jordan. It attempts to assess how the electoral process in each of these countries was supportive, or not, of women’s participation.

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The paper includes three brief case studies of the electoral processes in Yemen, Lebanon and Jordan. It attempts to assess how the electoral process in each of these countries was supportive, or not, of women’s participation.

Women's Political Participation and Good Governance: 21st Century Challenges

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February 15, 2007

Women's Political Participation and Good Governance: 21st Century Challenges

This report explores the various aspects of gender issues in political participation and governance. It analyzes the impact of women as agents of change in the political process, reviews key challenges in this area, and suggests strategies for increasing women’s representation.

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This report explores the various aspects of gender issues in political participation and governance. It analyzes the impact of women as agents of change in the political process, reviews key challenges in this area, and suggests strategies for increasing women’s representation.

UNDP/Japan Women in Development Fund 2005: 10th Anniversary Report

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February 15, 2007

UNDP/Japan Women in Development Fund 2005: 10th Anniversary Report

This report examines how the UNDP/Japan Women in Development Fund has made break-through contributions to the promotion of gender equality and women's empowerment over the last 10 years.

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This report examines how the UNDP/Japan Women in Development Fund has made break-through contributions to the promotion of gender equality and women's empowerment over the last 10 years.

Taking Gender Equality Seriously: Making Progess, Meeting New Challenges

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February 14, 2007

Taking Gender Equality Seriously: Making Progess, Meeting New Challenges

This report illustrates the progress and new challenges the UNDP is facing in its day-to-day work on gender mainstreaming.

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This report illustrates the progress and new challenges the UNDP is facing in its day-to-day work on gender mainstreaming.

Performances of Resistance: Women's Struggle for Political Power in Cambodia

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February 14, 2007

Performances of Resistance: Women's Struggle for Political Power in Cambodia

This paper explores how politically engaged Cambodian women build strategies and perform various types of resistance against the male domination of democratic arenas. It investigates possible ways to eliminate gendered hierarchies of power and how to alter the stereotypes of men and women.

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This paper explores how politically engaged Cambodian women build strategies and perform various types of resistance against the male domination of democratic arenas. It investigates possible ways to eliminate gendered hierarchies of power and how to alter the stereotypes of men and women.

Parliamentary Development: Gender Perspective

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February 14, 2007

Parliamentary Development: Gender Perspective

This report argues that women in parliament can have a positive impact on the political process and strongly advocates for gender equality in parliament. It also includes a brief case study of women legislators in Rwanda.

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This report argues that women in parliament can have a positive impact on the political process and strongly advocates for gender equality in parliament. It also includes a brief case study of women legislators in Rwanda.

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