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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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Australia: Mark McGowan's new cabinet takes shape, with Jackie Jarvis and Sabine Winton joining ranks

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Australia: Mark McGowan's new cabinet takes shape, with Jackie Jarvis and Sabine Winton joining ranks

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First-term MP Jackie Jarvis and Wanneroo MP Sabine Winton have been elevated to Mark McGowan's WA cabinet.

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First-term MP Jackie Jarvis and Wanneroo MP Sabine Winton have been elevated to Mark McGowan's WA cabinet.

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Jamaica: House approves motion for caucus of women parliamentarians

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Jamaica: House approves motion for caucus of women parliamentarians

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The motion to establish a women's caucus comprising lawmakers from both Houses of Parliament was approved during the sitting of the House of Representatives today. 

The core of the motion is to amend the Standing Orders of the House of Representatives, to allow for the bicameral caucus to be established as a sessional select committee to sit jointly with a similarly composed committee of the Senate.

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The motion to establish a women's caucus comprising lawmakers from both Houses of Parliament was approved during the sitting of the House of Representatives today. 

The core of the motion is to amend the Standing Orders of the House of Representatives, to allow for the bicameral caucus to be established as a sessional select committee to sit jointly with a similarly composed committee of the Senate.

Women at the table: Insights from Lebanese women in politics

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December 15, 2022

Women at the table: Insights from Lebanese women in politics

UN Women and ESCWA conducted in-depth interviews with seven Lebanese women in politics who were all ‘first’s’ in different ways.

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UN Women and ESCWA conducted in-depth interviews with seven Lebanese women in politics who were all ‘first’s’ in different ways.

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Listening to women in politics: New report by UN Women and UN ESCWA tells the stories of 7 trailblazing Lebanese women in politics who have broken ‘glass ceilings’

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Listening to women in politics: New report by UN Women and UN ESCWA tells the stories of 7 trailblazing Lebanese women in politics who have broken ‘glass ceilings’

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Beirut, 12 December 2022 – Today, UN Women and ESCWA jointly launched a report on women’s political participation entitled “Women at the Table: Insights from Lebanese Women in Politics”. The report analyses a set of seven in-depth interviews with female Lebanese political actors and explores the challenges and opportunities they faced in office.

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Beirut, 12 December 2022 – Today, UN Women and ESCWA jointly launched a report on women’s political participation entitled “Women at the Table: Insights from Lebanese Women in Politics”. The report analyses a set of seven in-depth interviews with female Lebanese political actors and explores the challenges and opportunities they faced in office.

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Himachal Pradesh: Every second voter a female, but only one woman MLA

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Himachal Pradesh: Every second voter a female, but only one woman MLA

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In the November 12 Himachal Pradesh assembly elections, the performance of women candidates was dismal and only one out of 24 in the fray was elected.

The new 68-member Himachal Pradesh Assembly will have just one woman MLA — BJP’s Reena Kashyap who emerged winner from Pachhad beating Congress’s Dayal Pyari. In the November 12 assembly polls, the performance of women candidates was dismal and only one out of 24 in the fray was elected.

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In the November 12 Himachal Pradesh assembly elections, the performance of women candidates was dismal and only one out of 24 in the fray was elected.

The new 68-member Himachal Pradesh Assembly will have just one woman MLA — BJP’s Reena Kashyap who emerged winner from Pachhad beating Congress’s Dayal Pyari. In the November 12 assembly polls, the performance of women candidates was dismal and only one out of 24 in the fray was elected.

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Liberia: Women optimistic of 2023 elections

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Liberia: Women optimistic of 2023 elections

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The deal to upholding women’s political participation and leadership in the 2023 presidential and General elections remains elusive and daunting, as the Woman Legislative Caucus of Liberia launches a two-day workshop for women aspirants to solicit support and mobilize more women to occupy the 30 percent space allotted to them at the Legislature.

The women taught fund-raising and campaign strategies and impact of legal framework on electoral process, among others.

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The deal to upholding women’s political participation and leadership in the 2023 presidential and General elections remains elusive and daunting, as the Woman Legislative Caucus of Liberia launches a two-day workshop for women aspirants to solicit support and mobilize more women to occupy the 30 percent space allotted to them at the Legislature.

The women taught fund-raising and campaign strategies and impact of legal framework on electoral process, among others.

World News

Who is Dina Boluarte, Peru's first female president?

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Who is Dina Boluarte, Peru's first female president?

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(CNN) — Dina Boluarte took office as the new President of Peru on Wednesday, after Congress ousted former president Pedro Castillo.

In this turbulent context, Boluarte, who until a few hours ago was the country's Vice President, took over as Castillo's successor after being sworn in before the plenary session of Congress on Wednesday afternoon.

She is the first female president in Peru's history, and the sixth Peruvian president in less than five years.

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Who is Dina Boluarte, Peru's first female president? (Picture: CNN)

(CNN) — Dina Boluarte took office as the new President of Peru on Wednesday, after Congress ousted former president Pedro Castillo.

In this turbulent context, Boluarte, who until a few hours ago was the country's Vice President, took over as Castillo's successor after being sworn in before the plenary session of Congress on Wednesday afternoon.

She is the first female president in Peru's history, and the sixth Peruvian president in less than five years.

World News

Peru's President Pedro Castillo replaced by Dina Boluarte after impeachment

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Peru's President Pedro Castillo replaced by Dina Boluarte after impeachment

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Peru has a female president for the first time, after ex-president Pedro Castillo was impeached - hours after he tried to dissolve parliament.

Dina Boluarte - previously the vice-president - was sworn in after a dramatic day in Lima on Wednesday.

Earlier in the day, Mr Castillo had said he was replacing Congress with an "exceptional emergency government".

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Peru has a female president for the first time, after ex-president Pedro Castillo was impeached - hours after he tried to dissolve parliament.

Dina Boluarte - previously the vice-president - was sworn in after a dramatic day in Lima on Wednesday.

Earlier in the day, Mr Castillo had said he was replacing Congress with an "exceptional emergency government".

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