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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.

USA: Women in politics still face sexism from the media

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December 8, 2022

USA: Women in politics still face sexism from the media

From Hillary Clinton to Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, some things have yet to change.

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From Hillary Clinton to Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, some things have yet to change.

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"No men left?": Top Gujarat cleric slams muslim women in elections

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"No men left?": Top Gujarat cleric slams muslim women in elections

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Gujarat Assembly Election: The sexist rant by the Shahi Imam of the Jama Masjid in Ahmedabad comes a day before voting in 93 constituencies in Gujarat, the second phase of a closely watched state election.

Ahmedabad: Those who select Muslim women to run for office are against Islam and are weakening the religion, the chief cleric of the Jama Masjid in Ahmedabad said on Sunday, in a stunningly misogynistic comment, a day before the second phase of voting for the Gujarat elections.

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Gujarat Assembly Election: The sexist rant by the Shahi Imam of the Jama Masjid in Ahmedabad comes a day before voting in 93 constituencies in Gujarat, the second phase of a closely watched state election.

Ahmedabad: Those who select Muslim women to run for office are against Islam and are weakening the religion, the chief cleric of the Jama Masjid in Ahmedabad said on Sunday, in a stunningly misogynistic comment, a day before the second phase of voting for the Gujarat elections.

California Politics: Huge gains for women in the Legislature

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December 7, 2022

California Politics: Huge gains for women in the Legislature

SACRAMENTO —  The California Legislature that will be sworn in Monday will include more women than ever before, accounting for about 42% of state lawmakers.

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SACRAMENTO —  The California Legislature that will be sworn in Monday will include more women than ever before, accounting for about 42% of state lawmakers.

World News

IPU statement on violence in the Senegal Parliament

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IPU statement on violence in the Senegal Parliament

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The IPU condemns in the strongest possible terms the violence that took place in the Senegal National Assembly this week, committed by two parliamentarians, Mr. Yewi Askanwi and Mr. Moustapha Sy, against a pregnant parliamentarian, Ms. Gniby Amy Ndiaye.

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A session in the Senegal Parliament, CARMEN ABD ALI / AFP

The IPU condemns in the strongest possible terms the violence that took place in the Senegal National Assembly this week, committed by two parliamentarians, Mr. Yewi Askanwi and Mr. Moustapha Sy, against a pregnant parliamentarian, Ms. Gniby Amy Ndiaye.

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Indonesian parliament calls for urgent action to end violence against women in politics

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Indonesian parliament calls for urgent action to end violence against women in politics

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Jakarta, Indonesia – The Women’s Parliamentary Caucus of the Republic of Indonesia signed a declaration today to “condemn any form of gender-based violence that hinders women from fulfilling their equal rights” and to urge all groups to allow women to safely participate in politics.

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Jakarta, Indonesia – The Women’s Parliamentary Caucus of the Republic of Indonesia signed a declaration today to “condemn any form of gender-based violence that hinders women from fulfilling their equal rights” and to urge all groups to allow women to safely participate in politics.

World News

Politician slaps a woman MP in Senegal parliament, sparking brawlà l’Assemblée

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Politician slaps a woman MP in Senegal parliament, sparking brawlà l’Assemblée

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Tensions have grown between ruling and opposition politicians since legislative elections in July when leading coalition lost its comfortable majority.

A violent brawl broke out in Senegal’s parliament after a male opposition legislator slapped a female colleague in the face, television footage showed, amid growing acrimony between ruling and opposition party politicians.

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Tensions have grown between ruling and opposition politicians since legislative elections in July when leading coalition lost its comfortable majority.

A violent brawl broke out in Senegal’s parliament after a male opposition legislator slapped a female colleague in the face, television footage showed, amid growing acrimony between ruling and opposition party politicians.

Preventing violence against women in politics – Benchmarks for political parties

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December 5, 2022

Preventing violence against women in politics – Benchmarks for political parties

Preventing Violence Against Women in Politics – Benchmarks for Political Parties (2022) is a joint paper by democracy organisations working with political parties, which presents interventions for political parties on how to prevent and address any form of

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Preventing Violence Against Women in Politics – Benchmarks for Political Parties (2022) is a joint paper by democracy organisations working with political parties, which presents interventions for political parties on how to prevent and address any form of

World News

Nepal: New House of Representatives to be less inclusive

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Nepal: New House of Representatives to be less inclusive

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As proportional representation votes are scattered among parties, women, Dalits, Janajatis will be underrepresented.

With most Dalit, Janajati and women candiates across parties failing to win the first-past-the-post (FPTP) elections for the House of Representatives, the upcoming parliament is set to become less inclusive than the last one.

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As proportional representation votes are scattered among parties, women, Dalits, Janajatis will be underrepresented.

With most Dalit, Janajati and women candiates across parties failing to win the first-past-the-post (FPTP) elections for the House of Representatives, the upcoming parliament is set to become less inclusive than the last one.

India: Why women quota in Parliament would ensure greater participation in workforce? Economist Augusto Lopez-Claros discusses its importance with MK Anand at Times Now Summit 2022

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December 5, 2022

India: Why women quota in Parliament would ensure greater participation in workforce? Economist Augusto Lopez-Claros discusses its importance with MK Anand at Times Now Summit 2022

A stronger representation of women in India’s power structure will greatly boost India’s economic growth, opined Augusto Lopez-Claros, chair of the Global Governance Forum.

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A stronger representation of women in India’s power structure will greatly boost India’s economic growth, opined Augusto Lopez-Claros, chair of the Global Governance Forum.

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