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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.

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Economic woes driving women from politics: WAG

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Economic woes driving women from politics: WAG

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WOMEN Action Group (WAG) says economic challenges and cyberbullying are deterring women from actively participating in political and electoral processes.

Speaking during WAG’s 40th anniversary celebration in Harare yesterday, WAG executive director Edinah Masiyiwa, said there were still many challenges militating against women’s full enjoyment of their rights.

WOMEN Action Group (WAG) says economic challenges and cyberbullying are deterring women from actively participating in political and electoral processes.

Speaking during WAG’s 40th anniversary celebration in Harare yesterday, WAG executive director Edinah Masiyiwa, said there were still many challenges militating against women’s full enjoyment of their rights.

World News

First female political prisoner in Saied's Tunisia, Chaima Issa, is free

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First female political prisoner in Saied's Tunisia, Chaima Issa, is free

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Chaima Isaa, the first female political prisoner in Saied's Tunisia, was finally liberated after spending more than five months in jail but expressed concern about fellow activists still behind bars.

Late on Thursday night, 13 July, writer Chaima Issa, a member of the main opposition coalition, the National Salvation Front, exited Manouba's women's Prison gate under cheers from relatives, supporters and family members of jailed activists.

Chaima Isaa, the first female political prisoner in Saied's Tunisia, was finally liberated after spending more than five months in jail but expressed concern about fellow activists still behind bars.

Late on Thursday night, 13 July, writer Chaima Issa, a member of the main opposition coalition, the National Salvation Front, exited Manouba's women's Prison gate under cheers from relatives, supporters and family members of jailed activists.

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ZESN urges society to end violence against women in politics

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ZESN urges society to end violence against women in politics

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Zimbabwe Elections Support Network (ZESN)’s Senior Advocacy for Electoral Reform Officer, Heather Koga, has emphasized the need for society and the state to recognize violence against women during election periods as a pressing societal issue that must be prevented and not dismissed as a personal matter.

Zimbabwe Elections Support Network (ZESN)’s Senior Advocacy for Electoral Reform Officer, Heather Koga, has emphasized the need for society and the state to recognize violence against women during election periods as a pressing societal issue that must be prevented and not dismissed as a personal matter.

Liberia: protection of female politicians paramount for free, fair elections

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July 14, 2023

Liberia: protection of female politicians paramount for free, fair elections

The promotion of inclusive political participation and the elimination of violence against women in politics are paramount to ensuring that every candidate has fair and equal conditions in an electoral process — as these go a long way in bringing credibility, transpar

The promotion of inclusive political participation and the elimination of violence against women in politics are paramount to ensuring that every candidate has fair and equal conditions in an electoral process — as these go a long way in bringing credibility, transpar

World News

Zimbabwe: Women politicians sidelined ahead of 23 August polls

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Zimbabwe: Women politicians sidelined ahead of 23 August polls

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Ten men are competing for Zimbabwe’s top job after two female candidates failed to raise enough funds to file their nominations.

The challenge was not only a problem of financing, as the fee to register as a presidential candidate rose to $20,000 for this year’s election, but that political parties failed to honour their pledges to field enough female candidates, according to Sitabile Dewa, the executive director of Women’s Academy for Leadership and Political Excellence (WALPE).

Ten men are competing for Zimbabwe’s top job after two female candidates failed to raise enough funds to file their nominations.

The challenge was not only a problem of financing, as the fee to register as a presidential candidate rose to $20,000 for this year’s election, but that political parties failed to honour their pledges to field enough female candidates, according to Sitabile Dewa, the executive director of Women’s Academy for Leadership and Political Excellence (WALPE).

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Netherlands: another prominent woman quits national politics over "ugly" atmosphere; more concerns raised

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Netherlands: another prominent woman quits national politics over "ugly" atmosphere; more concerns raised

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‘We have the energy’: Historic political wins for women in Sierra Leone hampered by election disputes

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July 12, 2023

‘We have the energy’: Historic political wins for women in Sierra Leone hampered by election disputes

Marion Kamara stepped out of the black gates of her compound, high on a hill in the Devil Hole area southwest of Sierra Leone’s capital, Freetown.

Marion Kamara stepped out of the black gates of her compound, high on a hill in the Devil Hole area southwest of Sierra Leone’s capital, Freetown.

World News

Meet the Nigerian women political leaders elected in the 2023 general polls

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Meet the Nigerian women political leaders elected in the 2023 general polls

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While women make up 49% of Nigeria’s population, their representation in politics and governance doesn’t quite match. There were 44 million women registered to vote in the past general election (out of 93 million total), but only 6.7% of women hold positions in governance.

While women make up 49% of Nigeria’s population, their representation in politics and governance doesn’t quite match. There were 44 million women registered to vote in the past general election (out of 93 million total), but only 6.7% of women hold positions in governance.

Women in politics with children not prioritised, says Bethan Sayed

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July 11, 2023

Women in politics with children not prioritised, says Bethan Sayed

Working in politics is unhealthy and almost impossible for women with children, a former MP claimed.

Working in politics is unhealthy and almost impossible for women with children, a former MP claimed.

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Regional Dialogue on Advancing Transformative Gender Social Norms to Enhance Women and Youth Participation

The main purpose of the Regional Dialogue is to promote transformative gender norms by addressing the root causes of inequality and transforming the underlying social, legal, and economic structures…

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National Intergenerational Dialogue on Advancing Youth Participation and Representation in Leadership and Decision-Making
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Strategies and tools to support women in public life against gender-based violence online and offline
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