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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.

November 7, 2022
Political leaders commit to 30% women representation in elections

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 5 — Leaders from various political parties today were all on the same page in their commitment to achieving the target of fielding 30 per cent women candidates in elections, in turn increasing female representation in the country’s legislative bodies

November 7, 2022
Denmark elects record 44% women to parliament with female PM set to win another term
  • Number of women in legislature jumps to highest after election
  • Female prime minister is also likely to win another term
November 4, 2022
Female politicians disadvantaged by online prejudices and stereotypes

2022 ELECTIONS 

November 4, 2022
Data shows the need to redouble efforts to enhance women in leadership posts in South-East Asia

Phnom Penh, Cambodia — Members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) must redouble efforts to correct the slim representation of women in leadership posts across multiple sectors of society – or they will risk holding back the reg

Women’s leadership in the ASEAN region

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November 4, 2022

Women’s leadership in the ASEAN region

Gender equality and women’s empowerment are central to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Community Vision 2025 of the Association for Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). They are also key to fostering a more sustainable and inclusive region.

Gender equality and women’s empowerment are central to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Community Vision 2025 of the Association for Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). They are also key to fostering a more sustainable and inclusive region.

Gender gains overshadowed by constitutional violation: An analysis of the situation for women in politics after the 2022 Kenya elections

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November 4, 2022

Gender gains overshadowed by constitutional violation: An analysis of the situation for women in politics after the 2022 Kenya elections

From a gender perspective, three main lessons can be learnt from the general election. First, gender issues are on the rise, a fact shown not least by the appointment of the first-ever women running mate for one of the two main presidential candidates.

From a gender perspective, three main lessons can be learnt from the general election. First, gender issues are on the rise, a fact shown not least by the appointment of the first-ever women running mate for one of the two main presidential candidates.

Widening the lens: Reimagining leadership among young women of color

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November 3, 2022

Widening the lens: Reimagining leadership among young women of color

There are many ways to step into political leadership in America, and how you go about it is often informed by your background, identity, and experiences.

There are many ways to step into political leadership in America, and how you go about it is often informed by your background, identity, and experiences.

November 3, 2022
Eight out of 65 seats: Who are the women of Israel's newly elected government?

Overnight, Israel saw the number of women in the government shrink from 24 seats to just eight. Who are the women of Israel's new government?

November 3, 2022
Tunisia tramples gender parity ahead of parliamentary elections

Recent Change to Electoral Law Reverses Major Advance for Women’s Rights