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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.

The world’s first elected female president reflects on breaking barriers, women’s rights

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November 21, 2022

The world’s first elected female president reflects on breaking barriers, women’s rights

Even at 92, Vigdis Finnbogadottir, who became the first elected female president of a country in 1980, is still a consummate politician and continues to speak out for women’s rights.

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Even at 92, Vigdis Finnbogadottir, who became the first elected female president of a country in 1980, is still a consummate politician and continues to speak out for women’s rights.

Pelosi, dominant figure for the ages, leaves lasting imprint

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November 18, 2022

Pelosi, dominant figure for the ages, leaves lasting imprint

WASHINGTON (AP) — There are two searing scenes of Nancy Pelosi confronting the violent extremism that spilled into the open late in her storied political career.

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WASHINGTON (AP) — There are two searing scenes of Nancy Pelosi confronting the violent extremism that spilled into the open late in her storied political career.

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Pelosi to step down from House leadership, stay in Congress

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Pelosi to step down from House leadership, stay in Congress

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WASHINGTON (AP) — House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Thursday that she will not seek a leadership position in the new Congress, ending a historic run as the first woman with the gavel and making way for a new generation to steer the party after Democrats lost control of the House to Republicans in the midterm elections.

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WASHINGTON (AP) — House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Thursday that she will not seek a leadership position in the new Congress, ending a historic run as the first woman with the gavel and making way for a new generation to steer the party after Democrats lost control of the House to Republicans in the midterm elections.

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Sierra Leone passes bill To give women 30% representation in parliament

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Sierra Leone passes bill To give women 30% representation in parliament

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Sierra Leonean lawmakers on Tuesday voted unanimously to pass the Gender Empowerment Act, ensuring that one in three members of parliament, as well as local councillors, is a woman.

Currently only 19 of Sierra Leone’s 146 members of parliament are women.

An earlier draft stipulated a slightly lower 30-percent quota but was amended.

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Sierra Leonean lawmakers on Tuesday voted unanimously to pass the Gender Empowerment Act, ensuring that one in three members of parliament, as well as local councillors, is a woman.

Currently only 19 of Sierra Leone’s 146 members of parliament are women.

An earlier draft stipulated a slightly lower 30-percent quota but was amended.

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Women representation in 2022 Fijian Elections

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Women representation in 2022 Fijian Elections

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The 2022 Fiji general election, for 55 seats in the Parliament, will take place on 14 December 2022. So far 316 provisional candidates have been named from 8 of the 9 political parties of which 55 are women—17 per cent of the total number. The figure is likely to increase with more provisional names expected to be announced soon. A political party may nominate up to 55 candidates by midday of 14 November 2022.

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The 2022 Fiji general election, for 55 seats in the Parliament, will take place on 14 December 2022. So far 316 provisional candidates have been named from 8 of the 9 political parties of which 55 are women—17 per cent of the total number. The figure is likely to increase with more provisional names expected to be announced soon. A political party may nominate up to 55 candidates by midday of 14 November 2022.

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Karen Bass becomes the first female mayor of Los Angeles

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Karen Bass becomes the first female mayor of Los Angeles

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The Democrat takes over as the second Black mayor in LA’s history, beating a rival who spent over $80m of his own money on the race

The congresswoman Karen Bass was elected mayor of Los Angeles, defeating billionaire real estate developer Rick Caruso and becoming the first woman to run the second-largest city in the US.

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The Democrat takes over as the second Black mayor in LA’s history, beating a rival who spent over $80m of his own money on the race

The congresswoman Karen Bass was elected mayor of Los Angeles, defeating billionaire real estate developer Rick Caruso and becoming the first woman to run the second-largest city in the US.

World News

Bahrain election sees high turnout of youth and women

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Bahrain election sees high turnout of youth and women

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The first round of polls held to elect the new Parliament and Municipal Councils on Saturday created many milestones in Bahrain in terms of participation.

Among them was the record number of women and youth who queued up to cast their ballots across the nation.

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The first round of polls held to elect the new Parliament and Municipal Councils on Saturday created many milestones in Bahrain in terms of participation.

Among them was the record number of women and youth who queued up to cast their ballots across the nation.

World News

Nepal: Women’s share in House likely to shrink

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Nepal: Women’s share in House likely to shrink

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With few women FPTP candidates, more of them may need to be elected to the upper house to meet the requirement.

Cross-party women politicians have long been lobbying with their leaders to increase the number of female candidates in the first-past-the-post (FPTP) elections. Their efforts to secure one-third women candidates in direct election, however, couldn’t materialise as the parties prioritised male candidates.

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With few women FPTP candidates, more of them may need to be elected to the upper house to meet the requirement.

Cross-party women politicians have long been lobbying with their leaders to increase the number of female candidates in the first-past-the-post (FPTP) elections. Their efforts to secure one-third women candidates in direct election, however, couldn’t materialise as the parties prioritised male candidates.

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National Intergenerational Dialogue on Advancing Youth Participation and Representation in Leadership and Decision-Making

The main purpose of the National Intergenerational Dialogue is to promote intergenerational interactions/exchanges to bridge generational divides and to address the causes of…

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Regional Dialogue on Advancing Transformative Gender Social Norms to Enhance Women and Youth Participation
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Strategies and tools to support women in public life against gender-based violence online and offline
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