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.

Theresa May: If a woman shows emotion she’s seen as weak

Back

September 13, 2023

Theresa May: If a woman shows emotion she’s seen as weak

Female politicians who show strength are seen as “aggressive harridans” while male counterparts are seen as “brilliant”, according to Theresa May.

Gender mainstreaming in politics: need for an inclusive and sensitive governance

Back

September 13, 2023

Gender mainstreaming in politics: need for an inclusive and sensitive governance

Before a gathering of 3,000 women in 1927, Ambedkar said, “I measure the progress of a community by the degree of progress which women have achieved.” In the ever-evolving

Women’s power disparity in public: lecture on gender, authority and rape culture

Back

September 13, 2023

Women’s power disparity in public: lecture on gender, authority and rape culture

At a lecture Tuesday at the Memorial Union, Bonnie Stabile, associate dean for student and academic affairs and associate professor at the Schar School of Policy and Government at George Mason University, spoke on the politics and policy around women

Climbing the ranks: Australia’s gender equity breakthrough

Back

September 13, 2023

Climbing the ranks: Australia’s gender equity breakthrough

When Kylea Tink, Member for North Sydney, decried the “unconstructive noise and aggression” in Australia’s Parliament this week, she wasn’t merely venting frustration.

What Kishida’s reshuffle says about female participation in politics

Back

September 13, 2023

What Kishida’s reshuffle says about female participation in politics

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida appointed a record-tying five women to ministerial posts in his Cabinet reshuffle on Wednesday, as well as one to a key position in the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, as he aims to increase female executives in politics

What Mexico’s first female president might mean for the ‘femicide nation’

Back

September 13, 2023

What Mexico’s first female president might mean for the ‘femicide nation’

Barring any surprises, Mexico will elect its first ever female president next year.

G20 bats for empowerment of women: where do Indian women stand?

Back

September 12, 2023

G20 bats for empowerment of women: where do Indian women stand?

While G20 leaders have announced the establishment of a new working group on the empowerment of women during the Brazilian G20 Presidency, the situation for Indian women tells a different story.

Women’s Reservation Bill: history, importance and why The long silence?

Back

September 12, 2023

Women’s Reservation Bill: history, importance and why The long silence?

India is a nation born out of a long freedom struggle that promised to function on equal representation of people from diverse genders, religions, ethnicities Etc.

Women in power: norm not the exception

Back

September 12, 2023

Women in power: norm not the exception

The absence of women in senior leadership roles is a critical and multidimensional issue that needs to be addressed as the socio-cultural landscape of Pakistan changes.

Subscribe to Parliaments and Representatives