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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.

Where are the women? The challenge facing the next PNG parliament

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May 25, 2022

Where are the women? The challenge facing the next PNG parliament

A country ranking among the world’s lowest for political participation by women has enormous social bias to overcome.

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A country ranking among the world’s lowest for political participation by women has enormous social bias to overcome.

World News

Cambodian women in leadership rising

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Cambodian women in leadership rising

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Cambodia organised the National Forum on ‘Women in Leadership and Governance’ acknowledging increasing number of women in key leadership roles in the country.

In her address, National Assembly (NA) Second Vice President and Chairwoman of Women Parliamentarians Caucus Khuon Sudary, who presided over the opening of the forum on May 17, highlighted that the number of female members of the Senate and National Assembly has now risen to 18 and 20 percent respectively.

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Cambodia organised the National Forum on ‘Women in Leadership and Governance’ acknowledging increasing number of women in key leadership roles in the country.

In her address, National Assembly (NA) Second Vice President and Chairwoman of Women Parliamentarians Caucus Khuon Sudary, who presided over the opening of the forum on May 17, highlighted that the number of female members of the Senate and National Assembly has now risen to 18 and 20 percent respectively.

World News

"Work in progress": Australia’s new parliament the most diverse yet

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"Work in progress": Australia’s new parliament the most diverse yet

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Diversity advocates welcome new additions but say there is still a long way to go before parliament reflects Australian society

Australia’s new parliament looks set to be the most diverse, but there’s still a long way to go, diversity advocates say.

For the first time, both Northern Territory Senate spots will be held by Indigenous women – Labor’s Malarndirri McCarthy was re-elected and would be joined by the Country Liberal’s Jacinta Price.

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Diversity advocates welcome new additions but say there is still a long way to go before parliament reflects Australian society

Australia’s new parliament looks set to be the most diverse, but there’s still a long way to go, diversity advocates say.

For the first time, both Northern Territory Senate spots will be held by Indigenous women – Labor’s Malarndirri McCarthy was re-elected and would be joined by the Country Liberal’s Jacinta Price.

Canada: More women in politics would help safeguard access to abortion

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May 24, 2022

Canada: More women in politics would help safeguard access to abortion

"Women hold just 30 per cent of seats in Parliament; only two of 12 premiers are women. It matters because women matter."

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"Women hold just 30 per cent of seats in Parliament; only two of 12 premiers are women. It matters because women matter."

World News

Nepal: Women candidates elected as mayor in two Rautahat local levels

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Nepal: Women candidates elected as mayor in two Rautahat local levels

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The result announcement of elections held on May 13 have revealed two women candidates as the winners of mayoral elections in two local levels of Rautahat district. 

Reena Kumari Shah and Kaushalaya Devi will hold office as mayors in Maulapur and Ishnath municiaplities in Rautahat. 

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The result announcement of elections held on May 13 have revealed two women candidates as the winners of mayoral elections in two local levels of Rautahat district. 

Reena Kumari Shah and Kaushalaya Devi will hold office as mayors in Maulapur and Ishnath municiaplities in Rautahat. 

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World News

Plan unveiled to add 36 extra Senedd members

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Plan unveiled to add 36 extra Senedd members

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PLANS to reform Welsh politics hope to see the Senedd expanded to 96 members, with gender quotas and a shake up of constituencies with each selecting multiple members.

First Minister Mark Drakeford and Plaid Cymru Leader Adam Price said they want Senedd reform to be implemented in time for the next election in 2026 - even if some of the changes are introduced on an interim basis.

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PLANS to reform Welsh politics hope to see the Senedd expanded to 96 members, with gender quotas and a shake up of constituencies with each selecting multiple members.

First Minister Mark Drakeford and Plaid Cymru Leader Adam Price said they want Senedd reform to be implemented in time for the next election in 2026 - even if some of the changes are introduced on an interim basis.

World News

#PanWomanity as the new #PanAfricanism: What can data tell us?

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#PanWomanity as the new #PanAfricanism: What can data tell us?

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The inclusivity of women in politics and decision-making is steadily rising across Africa. This could be the last frontier for sustainable development in Africa.

Africa has enormous potential to grow if it can take advantage of the untapped power that girls and women hold as societal and economic drivers. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) estimates that the lack of inclusion of women in the economy will cost Sub-Saharan Africa as much as US$110 billion in 2022, and $190 billion in 2023.[1]

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The inclusivity of women in politics and decision-making is steadily rising across Africa. This could be the last frontier for sustainable development in Africa.

Africa has enormous potential to grow if it can take advantage of the untapped power that girls and women hold as societal and economic drivers. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) estimates that the lack of inclusion of women in the economy will cost Sub-Saharan Africa as much as US$110 billion in 2022, and $190 billion in 2023.[1]

World News

Here is the full list of all women who won in Lebanon’s elections in 2022

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Here is the full list of all women who won in Lebanon’s elections in 2022

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The Minister of Interior, Bassam Al-Mawlawi, officially announced the results of the parliamentary elections in which 1,043 candidates competed for seats of power.

Women’s participation was remarkable this time, with an initial number of 155, making up nearly 15% of the sum of contestants. However, 113 of them remained in the race till the end.

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The Minister of Interior, Bassam Al-Mawlawi, officially announced the results of the parliamentary elections in which 1,043 candidates competed for seats of power.

Women’s participation was remarkable this time, with an initial number of 155, making up nearly 15% of the sum of contestants. However, 113 of them remained in the race till the end.

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