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.
A recent study conducted by the United Nations (UN) sheds light on the distressing reality faced by trans women, women in politics, and feminists in Costa Rica.
Women’s representation in political offices continued to decline in the 2023 elections. Four main factors help explain why Africa’s largest economy is such a difficult space for women candidates.
Women’s representation in political offices continued to decline in the 2023 elections. Four main factors help explain why Africa’s largest economy is such a difficult space for women candidates.
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Achieving gender representation in public policy will require addressing both intrinsic and extrinsic barriers that prevent women from accessing not only professional structures but also social networks in the policy space.
Achieving gender representation in public policy will require addressing both intrinsic and extrinsic barriers that prevent women from accessing not only professional structures but also social networks in the policy space.
Albanian women spend 25 years of their life raising children and carrying out unpaid work such as caring for family members and carrying out domestic chores, according to
Albanian women spend 25 years of their life raising children and carrying out unpaid work such as caring for family members and carrying out domestic chores, according to
As the country gears up for polls in June, women in politics speak out about refusing to be silenced despite the abuse and intimidation they face
As the country gears up for polls in June, women in politics speak out about refusing to be silenced despite the abuse and intimidation they face
Gloria Julia King is the only female member of Vanuatu's parliament.
Before she was elected last year, there hadn't been a female MP in Vanuatu for 15 years.
Gloria Julia King is the only female member of Vanuatu's parliament.
Before she was elected last year, there hadn't been a female MP in Vanuatu for 15 years.
A handful of small cities in Japan have managed to do what the rest of the country hasn’t: Elect women.
A handful of small cities in Japan have managed to do what the rest of the country hasn’t: Elect women.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez on Saturday announced a gender equality law that will require more equal representation of women and men in politics, business and other spheres of public life.