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UN Women’s project Women Make Change* underscores the importance of increasing women’s participation and leadership in politics at all levels. Despite global advancements, women continue to be underrepresented in politics, particularly at the subnational level.

"Environmental work is meaningless and income-less. Why don't you go home and help your mother with housework?" This is what I frequently heard when I firstly began volunteering with the Qinghai Snowland Great Rivers Environmental Protection Association (SGR Association). Many couldn't understand why I dedicated my time to protecting our water sources, attending various trainings, and creating eco-friendly products to promote sustainable living. But I didn’t let their doubts stop me. The urgency of climate action is too significant to ignore.

In one of the biggest electoral years in recent history, 107 countries have never had a woman Head of State. In 2024, women held only 27 per cent of seats in national parliaments and 35.5 per cent of seats in local governments.

As elections unfold throughout this super election year, much of the discussion has revolved around the advanced age of some candidates running for office. However, what about the younger voices that are adding fresh perspectives and energy to the political arena?

The IPU has been meticulously tracking the average age of parliamentarians at national, regional and global levels for many years, becoming the authoritative data reference on youth in parliament. 

“Gender equality is more than a goal in itself. It is a precondition for meeting the challenge of reducing poverty, promoting sustainable development, and building good governance.” - Kofi Annan, Former Secretary General of the United Nations.

Women and girls around the world are facing significant threats, from wars and conflicts to devastating climate change, widening inequalities, and pushback on their human rights and freedoms. 

Mongolia's electoral reforms have significantly transformed the political landscape, ushering a record number of women into Parliament. This change follows the May 2023 constitutional amendment, which expanded parliamentary seats from 76 to 126 and introduced a mandatory 30 per cent candidate quota for women. As a result, the number of female MPs has increased dramatically, from 13 to 32.

Following an intense week of elections, the IPU’s two founding members, France and the United Kingdom, have just completed their parliamentary elections.

How have both parliaments fared in terms of gender equality? How do they compare to previous chambers and the IPU’s global average of women in parliament which stood at 26.9% before these latest elections?

Skopje, North Macedonia, 24 June 2024 – UN Women in North Macedonia, for a second consecutive year in partnership with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, marked the International Day of Women in Diplomacy with a high-level panel discussion highlighting the pivotal role that women play in international relations and diplomatic efforts.