Skip to main content

Political Parties

In a representative democracy, political parties function as a link between state institutions and local grassroots organizations. It is political parties that aggregate interests, present political alternatives and nominate candidates. As such, political parties play an essential role for the advancement of women and the promotion of equality. In this section, you will find information on the role of political parties in promoting women's political participation.

June 21, 2012
Women leaders in Rio call for action to prioritize gender equality for a sustainable future

At a high-level event today at the Rio+20 Conference, women Heads of State and Government signed a Call to Action with concrete policy recommendations on integrating gender equality and women’s empowerment in all sustainable development frameworks.

Learn More
June 20, 2012
Integrating gender into the Rio Conventions

Remarks of Michelle Bachelet, Executive Director of UN Women at panel discusion on the Rio Conventions. Rio de Janiero, Brazil, 20 June 2012.

Learn More
June 20, 2012
UN Women joins a global conversation on gender, technology and sustainability at Rio+Social

In a dynamic panel discussion at the Rio+Social Summit, UN Women’s Executive Director, Michelle Bachelet spoke of women’s pivotal role in  sustainable development, to an offline audience of more than 600 bloggers and key digital influencers, and an online audience of many thousands more.

Learn More

Political Parties

In a representative democracy, political parties are vitally important. Political parties function as a link between state institutions and local grassroots organizations. It is political parties that aggregate interests, present political alternatives and nominate candidates. In all such matters, the political parties play an essential role for the advancement of women and the promotion of equality, as they function as the gatekeepers of candidate selection and political power. In this section, you will find information on the role of political parties in promoting women.

Charmaine Rodrigues

Image

Charmaine Rodrigues is the Pacific Regional Legislative Strengthening Expert at the UNDP Pacific Center based in Suva. The Center services 3 Pacific country offices and covers a parish of 15 Pacific Island countries. Ms.

Julie Ballington

Image

Julie Ballington is the Policy Advisor on Political Participation in the Leadership and Governance Section at UN-Women.

Mona Lena Krook

Image

Mona Lena Krook is Assistant Professor of Political Science and Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies at Washington University in St. Louis. She is a Fellow at the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study and a Fellow in the Women and Public Policy Program at the John F.

May 30, 2012
Sudanese Political Parties Are Not Democratic, Say Women

Sudanese women have agreed that undemocratic practices are still dominating the internal life in the political parties in the country.

Learn More
May 30, 2012
World: Gender Equality Prize

Candidatures for the "PACE Gender Equality Prize" may now be submitted until 1 June 2009, following extension of the deadline by the Committee.

Learn More
Subscribe to Political Parties