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ADDIS ABABA— African countries are still far from achieving women's equal and effective participation in political decision-making. Women constitute only 24 per cent of the 12,113 parliamentarians in Africa, 25 per cent in the lower houses and 20 per cent in the upper houses of parliaments, according to the first Women's Political Participation: Africa Barometer 2021.

While local government is often hailed as a training ground for women in politics, women constitute a mere 21 per cent of councillors in the 19 countries for which complete data could be obtained.

These are some of the main findings from the Africa Barometer 2021 published by Gender Links with the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA). The Barometer is a key resource of the International IDEA-led consortium: Enhancing the Inclusion of Women in Political Participation in Africa (WPP).

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The Barometer aims to imbue the African continent, especially legislators and policymakers, with a resource through which they can assess progress over time in WPP; the underlying reasons, and evidence-based arguments to enhance advocacy campaigns. The report comes as the clock ticks down to 2030, the deadline for the Sustainable Development Goals.

“The Africa Barometer 2021 is a wakeup call that there is a huge amount of work to be done to achieve gender equality in African political institutions,” says H.E. Dr Joyce Banda, Former President, Republic of Malawi. “This report is a mirror that allows Africa to identify ways to progress on policies and monitor governments’ progress.”

In the Barometer, we are presented with a snapshot of the status of women’s political participation across all the countries of Africa. The Barometer also explores the long-term structural causes of women's exclusion from political decision-making as well as more immediate barriers. Patriarchy, social, cultural and religious influences have led to many African women being rendered second-class citizens. The lack of economic resources is one of the biggest obstacles to women's participation in politics.

The full report is available here: Women's Political Participation: Africa Barometer 2021  

Source: International IDEA

Polite, buoyant, and idealist: In many ways, Sol Arrúa comes across as a regular 21-year-old. However, as soon as we bring up the subjects of politics and leadership, which she is most passionate about, it becomes clear that there is much more about Sol than meets the eye. 

“If we treat all inequalities equally, the problem is just going to get worse,” she says. “What we need to look for is equity. That is why measures such as democratic parity are so important”, she adds, demonstrating a clear understanding of conceptual frameworks for grounded political action.

Sol is an alumna of the Academy for Political Training of Women Leaders, an initiative of the Equity and Gender Commission of the Paraguayan Senate, which is one of the main boundary partners of International IDEA Paraguay Programme, in the framework of the project “Consolidation of Paraguayan Democracy II” (2019-2023), with funding from the European Union.

As a graduate from the Academy, and as a young female leader, Sol is an intersectional example of the project’s impact, aimed at improving the political participation and representation of women and youth as broadly defined demographics. She is a law student from Villarrica, in the Guairá department, and claims that this origin has made her more sensitive to the struggles of underprivileged people: “when you come from the countryside, you are much closer to the deep realities of Paraguay,” she notes.

Sol is a young leader who has been in the making for some time. She has participated in several training programs, both locally and abroad, but says that her experience at the Academy for Political Training was pivotal to help her realize the scope of her potential: “I embraced my own leadership before participating in the Academy, but it was only there that my leadership found a purpose,” she says. “I could see all the obstacles women face when aspiring to public office, and I said to myself ‘this is not normal, this is not right’. Without the opportunity provided by the Academy, I would not have known these limitations and these realities,” she adds. 

Click here to read the full article published by International IDEA on 11 March 2021.

Polite, buoyant, and idealist: In many ways, Sol Arrúa comes across as a regular 21-year-old. However, as soon as we bring up the subjects of politics and leadership, which she is most passionate about, it becomes clear that there is much more about Sol than meets the eye. 

“If we treat all inequalities equally, the problem is just going to get worse,” she says. “What we need to look for is equity. That is why measures such as democratic parity are so important”, she adds, demonstrating a clear understanding of conceptual frameworks for grounded political action.

Sol is an alumna of the Academy for Political Training of Women Leaders, an initiative of the Equity and Gender Commission of the Paraguayan Senate, which is one of the main boundary partners of International IDEA Paraguay Programme, in the framework of the project “Consolidation of Paraguayan Democracy II” (2019-2023), with funding from the European Union.

As a graduate from the Academy, and as a young female leader, Sol is an intersectional example of the project’s impact, aimed at improving the political participation and representation of women and youth as broadly defined demographics. She is a law student from Villarrica, in the Guairá department, and claims that this origin has made her more sensitive to the struggles of underprivileged people: “when you come from the countryside, you are much closer to the deep realities of Paraguay,” she notes.

Sol is a young leader who has been in the making for some time. She has participated in several training programs, both locally and abroad, but says that her experience at the Academy for Political Training was pivotal to help her realize the scope of her potential: “I embraced my own leadership before participating in the Academy, but it was only there that my leadership found a purpose,” she says. “I could see all the obstacles women face when aspiring to public office, and I said to myself ‘this is not normal, this is not right’. Without the opportunity provided by the Academy, I would not have known these limitations and these realities,” she adds. 

Click here to read the full article published by International IDEA on 11 March 2021.

Polite, buoyant, and idealist: In many ways, Sol Arrúa comes across as a regular 21-year-old. However, as soon as we bring up the subjects of politics and leadership, which she is most passionate about, it becomes clear that there is much more about Sol than meets the eye. 

“If we treat all inequalities equally, the problem is just going to get worse,” she says. “What we need to look for is equity. That is why measures such as democratic parity are so important”, she adds, demonstrating a clear understanding of conceptual frameworks for grounded political action.

Sol is an alumna of the Academy for Political Training of Women Leaders, an initiative of the Equity and Gender Commission of the Paraguayan Senate, which is one of the main boundary partners of International IDEA Paraguay Programme, in the framework of the project “Consolidation of Paraguayan Democracy II” (2019-2023), with funding from the European Union.

As a graduate from the Academy, and as a young female leader, Sol is an intersectional example of the project’s impact, aimed at improving the political participation and representation of women and youth as broadly defined demographics. She is a law student from Villarrica, in the Guairá department, and claims that this origin has made her more sensitive to the struggles of underprivileged people: “when you come from the countryside, you are much closer to the deep realities of Paraguay,” she notes.

Sol is a young leader who has been in the making for some time. She has participated in several training programs, both locally and abroad, but says that her experience at the Academy for Political Training was pivotal to help her realize the scope of her potential: “I embraced my own leadership before participating in the Academy, but it was only there that my leadership found a purpose,” she says. “I could see all the obstacles women face when aspiring to public office, and I said to myself ‘this is not normal, this is not right’. Without the opportunity provided by the Academy, I would not have known these limitations and these realities,” she adds. 

Click here to read the full article published by International IDEA on 11 March 2021.

Polite, buoyant, and idealist: In many ways, Sol Arrúa comes across as a regular 21-year-old. However, as soon as we bring up the subjects of politics and leadership, which she is most passionate about, it becomes clear that there is much more about Sol than meets the eye. 

“If we treat all inequalities equally, the problem is just going to get worse,” she says. “What we need to look for is equity. That is why measures such as democratic parity are so important”, she adds, demonstrating a clear understanding of conceptual frameworks for grounded political action.

Sol is an alumna of the Academy for Political Training of Women Leaders, an initiative of the Equity and Gender Commission of the Paraguayan Senate, which is one of the main boundary partners of International IDEA Paraguay Programme, in the framework of the project “Consolidation of Paraguayan Democracy II” (2019-2023), with funding from the European Union.

As a graduate from the Academy, and as a young female leader, Sol is an intersectional example of the project’s impact, aimed at improving the political participation and representation of women and youth as broadly defined demographics. She is a law student from Villarrica, in the Guairá department, and claims that this origin has made her more sensitive to the struggles of underprivileged people: “when you come from the countryside, you are much closer to the deep realities of Paraguay,” she notes.

Sol is a young leader who has been in the making for some time. She has participated in several training programs, both locally and abroad, but says that her experience at the Academy for Political Training was pivotal to help her realize the scope of her potential: “I embraced my own leadership before participating in the Academy, but it was only there that my leadership found a purpose,” she says. “I could see all the obstacles women face when aspiring to public office, and I said to myself ‘this is not normal, this is not right’. Without the opportunity provided by the Academy, I would not have known these limitations and these realities,” she adds. 

Click here to read the full article published by International IDEA on 11 March 2021.

Polite, buoyant, and idealist: In many ways, Sol Arrúa comes across as a regular 21-year-old. However, as soon as we bring up the subjects of politics and leadership, which she is most passionate about, it becomes clear that there is much more about Sol than meets the eye. 

“If we treat all inequalities equally, the problem is just going to get worse,” she says. “What we need to look for is equity. That is why measures such as democratic parity are so important”, she adds, demonstrating a clear understanding of conceptual frameworks for grounded political action.

Sol is an alumna of the Academy for Political Training of Women Leaders, an initiative of the Equity and Gender Commission of the Paraguayan Senate, which is one of the main boundary partners of International IDEA Paraguay Programme, in the framework of the project “Consolidation of Paraguayan Democracy II” (2019-2023), with funding from the European Union.

As a graduate from the Academy, and as a young female leader, Sol is an intersectional example of the project’s impact, aimed at improving the political participation and representation of women and youth as broadly defined demographics. She is a law student from Villarrica, in the Guairá department, and claims that this origin has made her more sensitive to the struggles of underprivileged people: “when you come from the countryside, you are much closer to the deep realities of Paraguay,” she notes.

Sol is a young leader who has been in the making for some time. She has participated in several training programs, both locally and abroad, but says that her experience at the Academy for Political Training was pivotal to help her realize the scope of her potential: “I embraced my own leadership before participating in the Academy, but it was only there that my leadership found a purpose,” she says. “I could see all the obstacles women face when aspiring to public office, and I said to myself ‘this is not normal, this is not right’. Without the opportunity provided by the Academy, I would not have known these limitations and these realities,” she adds. 

Click here to read the full article published by International IDEA on 11 March 2021.

Polite, buoyant, and idealist: In many ways, Sol Arrúa comes across as a regular 21-year-old. However, as soon as we bring up the subjects of politics and leadership, which she is most passionate about, it becomes clear that there is much more about Sol than meets the eye. 

“If we treat all inequalities equally, the problem is just going to get worse,” she says. “What we need to look for is equity. That is why measures such as democratic parity are so important”, she adds, demonstrating a clear understanding of conceptual frameworks for grounded political action.

Sol is an alumna of the Academy for Political Training of Women Leaders, an initiative of the Equity and Gender Commission of the Paraguayan Senate, which is one of the main boundary partners of International IDEA Paraguay Programme, in the framework of the project “Consolidation of Paraguayan Democracy II” (2019-2023), with funding from the European Union.

As a graduate from the Academy, and as a young female leader, Sol is an intersectional example of the project’s impact, aimed at improving the political participation and representation of women and youth as broadly defined demographics. She is a law student from Villarrica, in the Guairá department, and claims that this origin has made her more sensitive to the struggles of underprivileged people: “when you come from the countryside, you are much closer to the deep realities of Paraguay,” she notes.

Sol is a young leader who has been in the making for some time. She has participated in several training programs, both locally and abroad, but says that her experience at the Academy for Political Training was pivotal to help her realize the scope of her potential: “I embraced my own leadership before participating in the Academy, but it was only there that my leadership found a purpose,” she says. “I could see all the obstacles women face when aspiring to public office, and I said to myself ‘this is not normal, this is not right’. Without the opportunity provided by the Academy, I would not have known these limitations and these realities,” she adds. 

Click here to read the full article published by International IDEA on 11 March 2021.

Polite, buoyant, and idealist: In many ways, Sol Arrúa comes across as a regular 21-year-old. However, as soon as we bring up the subjects of politics and leadership, which she is most passionate about, it becomes clear that there is much more about Sol than meets the eye. 

“If we treat all inequalities equally, the problem is just going to get worse,” she says. “What we need to look for is equity. That is why measures such as democratic parity are so important”, she adds, demonstrating a clear understanding of conceptual frameworks for grounded political action.

Sol is an alumna of the Academy for Political Training of Women Leaders, an initiative of the Equity and Gender Commission of the Paraguayan Senate, which is one of the main boundary partners of International IDEA Paraguay Programme, in the framework of the project “Consolidation of Paraguayan Democracy II” (2019-2023), with funding from the European Union.

As a graduate from the Academy, and as a young female leader, Sol is an intersectional example of the project’s impact, aimed at improving the political participation and representation of women and youth as broadly defined demographics. She is a law student from Villarrica, in the Guairá department, and claims that this origin has made her more sensitive to the struggles of underprivileged people: “when you come from the countryside, you are much closer to the deep realities of Paraguay,” she notes.

Sol is a young leader who has been in the making for some time. She has participated in several training programs, both locally and abroad, but says that her experience at the Academy for Political Training was pivotal to help her realize the scope of her potential: “I embraced my own leadership before participating in the Academy, but it was only there that my leadership found a purpose,” she says. “I could see all the obstacles women face when aspiring to public office, and I said to myself ‘this is not normal, this is not right’. Without the opportunity provided by the Academy, I would not have known these limitations and these realities,” she adds. 

Click here to read the full article published by International IDEA on 11 March 2021.

Polite, buoyant, and idealist: In many ways, Sol Arrúa comes across as a regular 21-year-old. However, as soon as we bring up the subjects of politics and leadership, which she is most passionate about, it becomes clear that there is much more about Sol than meets the eye. 

“If we treat all inequalities equally, the problem is just going to get worse,” she says. “What we need to look for is equity. That is why measures such as democratic parity are so important”, she adds, demonstrating a clear understanding of conceptual frameworks for grounded political action.

Sol is an alumna of the Academy for Political Training of Women Leaders, an initiative of the Equity and Gender Commission of the Paraguayan Senate, which is one of the main boundary partners of International IDEA Paraguay Programme, in the framework of the project “Consolidation of Paraguayan Democracy II” (2019-2023), with funding from the European Union.

As a graduate from the Academy, and as a young female leader, Sol is an intersectional example of the project’s impact, aimed at improving the political participation and representation of women and youth as broadly defined demographics. She is a law student from Villarrica, in the Guairá department, and claims that this origin has made her more sensitive to the struggles of underprivileged people: “when you come from the countryside, you are much closer to the deep realities of Paraguay,” she notes.

Sol is a young leader who has been in the making for some time. She has participated in several training programs, both locally and abroad, but says that her experience at the Academy for Political Training was pivotal to help her realize the scope of her potential: “I embraced my own leadership before participating in the Academy, but it was only there that my leadership found a purpose,” she says. “I could see all the obstacles women face when aspiring to public office, and I said to myself ‘this is not normal, this is not right’. Without the opportunity provided by the Academy, I would not have known these limitations and these realities,” she adds. 

Click here to read the full article published by International IDEA on 11 March 2021.

Polite, buoyant, and idealist: In many ways, Sol Arrúa comes across as a regular 21-year-old. However, as soon as we bring up the subjects of politics and leadership, which she is most passionate about, it becomes clear that there is much more about Sol than meets the eye. 

“If we treat all inequalities equally, the problem is just going to get worse,” she says. “What we need to look for is equity. That is why measures such as democratic parity are so important”, she adds, demonstrating a clear understanding of conceptual frameworks for grounded political action.

Sol is an alumna of the Academy for Political Training of Women Leaders, an initiative of the Equity and Gender Commission of the Paraguayan Senate, which is one of the main boundary partners of International IDEA Paraguay Programme, in the framework of the project “Consolidation of Paraguayan Democracy II” (2019-2023), with funding from the European Union.

As a graduate from the Academy, and as a young female leader, Sol is an intersectional example of the project’s impact, aimed at improving the political participation and representation of women and youth as broadly defined demographics. She is a law student from Villarrica, in the Guairá department, and claims that this origin has made her more sensitive to the struggles of underprivileged people: “when you come from the countryside, you are much closer to the deep realities of Paraguay,” she notes.

Sol is a young leader who has been in the making for some time. She has participated in several training programs, both locally and abroad, but says that her experience at the Academy for Political Training was pivotal to help her realize the scope of her potential: “I embraced my own leadership before participating in the Academy, but it was only there that my leadership found a purpose,” she says. “I could see all the obstacles women face when aspiring to public office, and I said to myself ‘this is not normal, this is not right’. Without the opportunity provided by the Academy, I would not have known these limitations and these realities,” she adds. 

Click here to read the full article published by International IDEA on 11 March 2021.

Polite, buoyant, and idealist: In many ways, Sol Arrúa comes across as a regular 21-year-old. However, as soon as we bring up the subjects of politics and leadership, which she is most passionate about, it becomes clear that there is much more about Sol than meets the eye. 

“If we treat all inequalities equally, the problem is just going to get worse,” she says. “What we need to look for is equity. That is why measures such as democratic parity are so important”, she adds, demonstrating a clear understanding of conceptual frameworks for grounded political action.

Sol is an alumna of the Academy for Political Training of Women Leaders, an initiative of the Equity and Gender Commission of the Paraguayan Senate, which is one of the main boundary partners of International IDEA Paraguay Programme, in the framework of the project “Consolidation of Paraguayan Democracy II” (2019-2023), with funding from the European Union.

As a graduate from the Academy, and as a young female leader, Sol is an intersectional example of the project’s impact, aimed at improving the political participation and representation of women and youth as broadly defined demographics. She is a law student from Villarrica, in the Guairá department, and claims that this origin has made her more sensitive to the struggles of underprivileged people: “when you come from the countryside, you are much closer to the deep realities of Paraguay,” she notes.

Sol is a young leader who has been in the making for some time. She has participated in several training programs, both locally and abroad, but says that her experience at the Academy for Political Training was pivotal to help her realize the scope of her potential: “I embraced my own leadership before participating in the Academy, but it was only there that my leadership found a purpose,” she says. “I could see all the obstacles women face when aspiring to public office, and I said to myself ‘this is not normal, this is not right’. Without the opportunity provided by the Academy, I would not have known these limitations and these realities,” she adds. 

Click here to read the full article published by International IDEA on 11 March 2021.

Polite, buoyant, and idealist: In many ways, Sol Arrúa comes across as a regular 21-year-old. However, as soon as we bring up the subjects of politics and leadership, which she is most passionate about, it becomes clear that there is much more about Sol than meets the eye. 

“If we treat all inequalities equally, the problem is just going to get worse,” she says. “What we need to look for is equity. That is why measures such as democratic parity are so important”, she adds, demonstrating a clear understanding of conceptual frameworks for grounded political action.

Sol is an alumna of the Academy for Political Training of Women Leaders, an initiative of the Equity and Gender Commission of the Paraguayan Senate, which is one of the main boundary partners of International IDEA Paraguay Programme, in the framework of the project “Consolidation of Paraguayan Democracy II” (2019-2023), with funding from the European Union.

As a graduate from the Academy, and as a young female leader, Sol is an intersectional example of the project’s impact, aimed at improving the political participation and representation of women and youth as broadly defined demographics. She is a law student from Villarrica, in the Guairá department, and claims that this origin has made her more sensitive to the struggles of underprivileged people: “when you come from the countryside, you are much closer to the deep realities of Paraguay,” she notes.

Sol is a young leader who has been in the making for some time. She has participated in several training programs, both locally and abroad, but says that her experience at the Academy for Political Training was pivotal to help her realize the scope of her potential: “I embraced my own leadership before participating in the Academy, but it was only there that my leadership found a purpose,” she says. “I could see all the obstacles women face when aspiring to public office, and I said to myself ‘this is not normal, this is not right’. Without the opportunity provided by the Academy, I would not have known these limitations and these realities,” she adds. 

Click here to read the full article published by International IDEA on 11 March 2021.

Polite, buoyant, and idealist: In many ways, Sol Arrúa comes across as a regular 21-year-old. However, as soon as we bring up the subjects of politics and leadership, which she is most passionate about, it becomes clear that there is much more about Sol than meets the eye. 

“If we treat all inequalities equally, the problem is just going to get worse,” she says. “What we need to look for is equity. That is why measures such as democratic parity are so important”, she adds, demonstrating a clear understanding of conceptual frameworks for grounded political action.

Sol is an alumna of the Academy for Political Training of Women Leaders, an initiative of the Equity and Gender Commission of the Paraguayan Senate, which is one of the main boundary partners of International IDEA Paraguay Programme, in the framework of the project “Consolidation of Paraguayan Democracy II” (2019-2023), with funding from the European Union.

As a graduate from the Academy, and as a young female leader, Sol is an intersectional example of the project’s impact, aimed at improving the political participation and representation of women and youth as broadly defined demographics. She is a law student from Villarrica, in the Guairá department, and claims that this origin has made her more sensitive to the struggles of underprivileged people: “when you come from the countryside, you are much closer to the deep realities of Paraguay,” she notes.

Sol is a young leader who has been in the making for some time. She has participated in several training programs, both locally and abroad, but says that her experience at the Academy for Political Training was pivotal to help her realize the scope of her potential: “I embraced my own leadership before participating in the Academy, but it was only there that my leadership found a purpose,” she says. “I could see all the obstacles women face when aspiring to public office, and I said to myself ‘this is not normal, this is not right’. Without the opportunity provided by the Academy, I would not have known these limitations and these realities,” she adds. 

Click here to read the full article published by International IDEA on 11 March 2021.

Polite, buoyant, and idealist: In many ways, Sol Arrúa comes across as a regular 21-year-old. However, as soon as we bring up the subjects of politics and leadership, which she is most passionate about, it becomes clear that there is much more about Sol than meets the eye. 

“If we treat all inequalities equally, the problem is just going to get worse,” she says. “What we need to look for is equity. That is why measures such as democratic parity are so important”, she adds, demonstrating a clear understanding of conceptual frameworks for grounded political action.

Sol is an alumna of the Academy for Political Training of Women Leaders, an initiative of the Equity and Gender Commission of the Paraguayan Senate, which is one of the main boundary partners of International IDEA Paraguay Programme, in the framework of the project “Consolidation of Paraguayan Democracy II” (2019-2023), with funding from the European Union.

As a graduate from the Academy, and as a young female leader, Sol is an intersectional example of the project’s impact, aimed at improving the political participation and representation of women and youth as broadly defined demographics. She is a law student from Villarrica, in the Guairá department, and claims that this origin has made her more sensitive to the struggles of underprivileged people: “when you come from the countryside, you are much closer to the deep realities of Paraguay,” she notes.

Sol is a young leader who has been in the making for some time. She has participated in several training programs, both locally and abroad, but says that her experience at the Academy for Political Training was pivotal to help her realize the scope of her potential: “I embraced my own leadership before participating in the Academy, but it was only there that my leadership found a purpose,” she says. “I could see all the obstacles women face when aspiring to public office, and I said to myself ‘this is not normal, this is not right’. Without the opportunity provided by the Academy, I would not have known these limitations and these realities,” she adds. 

Click here to read the full article published by International IDEA on 11 March 2021.

Polite, buoyant, and idealist: In many ways, Sol Arrúa comes across as a regular 21-year-old. However, as soon as we bring up the subjects of politics and leadership, which she is most passionate about, it becomes clear that there is much more about Sol than meets the eye. 

“If we treat all inequalities equally, the problem is just going to get worse,” she says. “What we need to look for is equity. That is why measures such as democratic parity are so important”, she adds, demonstrating a clear understanding of conceptual frameworks for grounded political action.

Sol is an alumna of the Academy for Political Training of Women Leaders, an initiative of the Equity and Gender Commission of the Paraguayan Senate, which is one of the main boundary partners of International IDEA Paraguay Programme, in the framework of the project “Consolidation of Paraguayan Democracy II” (2019-2023), with funding from the European Union.

As a graduate from the Academy, and as a young female leader, Sol is an intersectional example of the project’s impact, aimed at improving the political participation and representation of women and youth as broadly defined demographics. She is a law student from Villarrica, in the Guairá department, and claims that this origin has made her more sensitive to the struggles of underprivileged people: “when you come from the countryside, you are much closer to the deep realities of Paraguay,” she notes.

Sol is a young leader who has been in the making for some time. She has participated in several training programs, both locally and abroad, but says that her experience at the Academy for Political Training was pivotal to help her realize the scope of her potential: “I embraced my own leadership before participating in the Academy, but it was only there that my leadership found a purpose,” she says. “I could see all the obstacles women face when aspiring to public office, and I said to myself ‘this is not normal, this is not right’. Without the opportunity provided by the Academy, I would not have known these limitations and these realities,” she adds. 

Click here to read the full article published by International IDEA on 11 March 2021.

Polite, buoyant, and idealist: In many ways, Sol Arrúa comes across as a regular 21-year-old. However, as soon as we bring up the subjects of politics and leadership, which she is most passionate about, it becomes clear that there is much more about Sol than meets the eye. 

“If we treat all inequalities equally, the problem is just going to get worse,” she says. “What we need to look for is equity. That is why measures such as democratic parity are so important”, she adds, demonstrating a clear understanding of conceptual frameworks for grounded political action.

Sol is an alumna of the Academy for Political Training of Women Leaders, an initiative of the Equity and Gender Commission of the Paraguayan Senate, which is one of the main boundary partners of International IDEA Paraguay Programme, in the framework of the project “Consolidation of Paraguayan Democracy II” (2019-2023), with funding from the European Union.

As a graduate from the Academy, and as a young female leader, Sol is an intersectional example of the project’s impact, aimed at improving the political participation and representation of women and youth as broadly defined demographics. She is a law student from Villarrica, in the Guairá department, and claims that this origin has made her more sensitive to the struggles of underprivileged people: “when you come from the countryside, you are much closer to the deep realities of Paraguay,” she notes.

Sol is a young leader who has been in the making for some time. She has participated in several training programs, both locally and abroad, but says that her experience at the Academy for Political Training was pivotal to help her realize the scope of her potential: “I embraced my own leadership before participating in the Academy, but it was only there that my leadership found a purpose,” she says. “I could see all the obstacles women face when aspiring to public office, and I said to myself ‘this is not normal, this is not right’. Without the opportunity provided by the Academy, I would not have known these limitations and these realities,” she adds. 

Click here to read the full article published by International IDEA on 11 March 2021.

Polite, buoyant, and idealist: In many ways, Sol Arrúa comes across as a regular 21-year-old. However, as soon as we bring up the subjects of politics and leadership, which she is most passionate about, it becomes clear that there is much more about Sol than meets the eye. 

“If we treat all inequalities equally, the problem is just going to get worse,” she says. “What we need to look for is equity. That is why measures such as democratic parity are so important”, she adds, demonstrating a clear understanding of conceptual frameworks for grounded political action.

Sol is an alumna of the Academy for Political Training of Women Leaders, an initiative of the Equity and Gender Commission of the Paraguayan Senate, which is one of the main boundary partners of International IDEA Paraguay Programme, in the framework of the project “Consolidation of Paraguayan Democracy II” (2019-2023), with funding from the European Union.

As a graduate from the Academy, and as a young female leader, Sol is an intersectional example of the project’s impact, aimed at improving the political participation and representation of women and youth as broadly defined demographics. She is a law student from Villarrica, in the Guairá department, and claims that this origin has made her more sensitive to the struggles of underprivileged people: “when you come from the countryside, you are much closer to the deep realities of Paraguay,” she notes.

Sol is a young leader who has been in the making for some time. She has participated in several training programs, both locally and abroad, but says that her experience at the Academy for Political Training was pivotal to help her realize the scope of her potential: “I embraced my own leadership before participating in the Academy, but it was only there that my leadership found a purpose,” she says. “I could see all the obstacles women face when aspiring to public office, and I said to myself ‘this is not normal, this is not right’. Without the opportunity provided by the Academy, I would not have known these limitations and these realities,” she adds. 

Click here to read the full article published by International IDEA on 11 March 2021.

Polite, buoyant, and idealist: In many ways, Sol Arrúa comes across as a regular 21-year-old. However, as soon as we bring up the subjects of politics and leadership, which she is most passionate about, it becomes clear that there is much more about Sol than meets the eye. 

“If we treat all inequalities equally, the problem is just going to get worse,” she says. “What we need to look for is equity. That is why measures such as democratic parity are so important”, she adds, demonstrating a clear understanding of conceptual frameworks for grounded political action.

Sol is an alumna of the Academy for Political Training of Women Leaders, an initiative of the Equity and Gender Commission of the Paraguayan Senate, which is one of the main boundary partners of International IDEA Paraguay Programme, in the framework of the project “Consolidation of Paraguayan Democracy II” (2019-2023), with funding from the European Union.

As a graduate from the Academy, and as a young female leader, Sol is an intersectional example of the project’s impact, aimed at improving the political participation and representation of women and youth as broadly defined demographics. She is a law student from Villarrica, in the Guairá department, and claims that this origin has made her more sensitive to the struggles of underprivileged people: “when you come from the countryside, you are much closer to the deep realities of Paraguay,” she notes.

Sol is a young leader who has been in the making for some time. She has participated in several training programs, both locally and abroad, but says that her experience at the Academy for Political Training was pivotal to help her realize the scope of her potential: “I embraced my own leadership before participating in the Academy, but it was only there that my leadership found a purpose,” she says. “I could see all the obstacles women face when aspiring to public office, and I said to myself ‘this is not normal, this is not right’. Without the opportunity provided by the Academy, I would not have known these limitations and these realities,” she adds. 

Click here to read the full article published by International IDEA on 11 March 2021.

Polite, buoyant, and idealist: In many ways, Sol Arrúa comes across as a regular 21-year-old. However, as soon as we bring up the subjects of politics and leadership, which she is most passionate about, it becomes clear that there is much more about Sol than meets the eye. 

“If we treat all inequalities equally, the problem is just going to get worse,” she says. “What we need to look for is equity. That is why measures such as democratic parity are so important”, she adds, demonstrating a clear understanding of conceptual frameworks for grounded political action.

Sol is an alumna of the Academy for Political Training of Women Leaders, an initiative of the Equity and Gender Commission of the Paraguayan Senate, which is one of the main boundary partners of International IDEA Paraguay Programme, in the framework of the project “Consolidation of Paraguayan Democracy II” (2019-2023), with funding from the European Union.

As a graduate from the Academy, and as a young female leader, Sol is an intersectional example of the project’s impact, aimed at improving the political participation and representation of women and youth as broadly defined demographics. She is a law student from Villarrica, in the Guairá department, and claims that this origin has made her more sensitive to the struggles of underprivileged people: “when you come from the countryside, you are much closer to the deep realities of Paraguay,” she notes.

Sol is a young leader who has been in the making for some time. She has participated in several training programs, both locally and abroad, but says that her experience at the Academy for Political Training was pivotal to help her realize the scope of her potential: “I embraced my own leadership before participating in the Academy, but it was only there that my leadership found a purpose,” she says. “I could see all the obstacles women face when aspiring to public office, and I said to myself ‘this is not normal, this is not right’. Without the opportunity provided by the Academy, I would not have known these limitations and these realities,” she adds. 

Click here to read the full article published by International IDEA on 11 March 2021.

Polite, buoyant, and idealist: In many ways, Sol Arrúa comes across as a regular 21-year-old. However, as soon as we bring up the subjects of politics and leadership, which she is most passionate about, it becomes clear that there is much more about Sol than meets the eye. 

“If we treat all inequalities equally, the problem is just going to get worse,” she says. “What we need to look for is equity. That is why measures such as democratic parity are so important”, she adds, demonstrating a clear understanding of conceptual frameworks for grounded political action.

Sol is an alumna of the Academy for Political Training of Women Leaders, an initiative of the Equity and Gender Commission of the Paraguayan Senate, which is one of the main boundary partners of International IDEA Paraguay Programme, in the framework of the project “Consolidation of Paraguayan Democracy II” (2019-2023), with funding from the European Union.

As a graduate from the Academy, and as a young female leader, Sol is an intersectional example of the project’s impact, aimed at improving the political participation and representation of women and youth as broadly defined demographics. She is a law student from Villarrica, in the Guairá department, and claims that this origin has made her more sensitive to the struggles of underprivileged people: “when you come from the countryside, you are much closer to the deep realities of Paraguay,” she notes.

Sol is a young leader who has been in the making for some time. She has participated in several training programs, both locally and abroad, but says that her experience at the Academy for Political Training was pivotal to help her realize the scope of her potential: “I embraced my own leadership before participating in the Academy, but it was only there that my leadership found a purpose,” she says. “I could see all the obstacles women face when aspiring to public office, and I said to myself ‘this is not normal, this is not right’. Without the opportunity provided by the Academy, I would not have known these limitations and these realities,” she adds. 

Click here to read the full article published by International IDEA on 11 March 2021.

Polite, buoyant, and idealist: In many ways, Sol Arrúa comes across as a regular 21-year-old. However, as soon as we bring up the subjects of politics and leadership, which she is most passionate about, it becomes clear that there is much more about Sol than meets the eye. 

“If we treat all inequalities equally, the problem is just going to get worse,” she says. “What we need to look for is equity. That is why measures such as democratic parity are so important”, she adds, demonstrating a clear understanding of conceptual frameworks for grounded political action.

Sol is an alumna of the Academy for Political Training of Women Leaders, an initiative of the Equity and Gender Commission of the Paraguayan Senate, which is one of the main boundary partners of International IDEA Paraguay Programme, in the framework of the project “Consolidation of Paraguayan Democracy II” (2019-2023), with funding from the European Union.

As a graduate from the Academy, and as a young female leader, Sol is an intersectional example of the project’s impact, aimed at improving the political participation and representation of women and youth as broadly defined demographics. She is a law student from Villarrica, in the Guairá department, and claims that this origin has made her more sensitive to the struggles of underprivileged people: “when you come from the countryside, you are much closer to the deep realities of Paraguay,” she notes.

Sol is a young leader who has been in the making for some time. She has participated in several training programs, both locally and abroad, but says that her experience at the Academy for Political Training was pivotal to help her realize the scope of her potential: “I embraced my own leadership before participating in the Academy, but it was only there that my leadership found a purpose,” she says. “I could see all the obstacles women face when aspiring to public office, and I said to myself ‘this is not normal, this is not right’. Without the opportunity provided by the Academy, I would not have known these limitations and these realities,” she adds. 

Click here to read the full article published by International IDEA on 11 March 2021.

The theme of 2021 International Women’s Day is “Women in leadership: Achieving an equal future in a COVID-19 world.” We asked participants in the UNDP Enhancing Women’s Role in Politics and Decision-Making at the Subnational Level in Ukraine project to share their thoughts about women in leadership.

They explained why it is important to have more women in leadership positions, what qualities and strengths women leaders have, what challenges they face, and what personalities or books inspire them.

Olena Khlivna-Andreyeva, the town of Nova Odesa in Mykolaiv Oblast, a councillor in Nova Odesa Town Council

“In my opinion, the effective development of our country can only begin with the involvement of women in local governments.

A systematic analysis of local self-government bodies reveals stubborn facts – it’s just like real life: there are few women in key managerial positions, a lot of women hold the positions of deputies or line managers, while men continue to hold most positions in which key decisions are taken.

Global experience shows that women’s involvement in managerial bodies clearly makes an organization more successful when it comes to business, and more resilient to crises and adaptive when it comes to management! It is indeed necessary to change traditional stereotypes about the place of women at all levels – from that of the individual to that of the state! That’s why you need to inspire your women colleagues through your own example!”

Click here to read the full article published by UNDP on 5 March 2021.

The theme of 2021 International Women’s Day is “Women in leadership: Achieving an equal future in a COVID-19 world.” We asked participants in the UNDP Enhancing Women’s Role in Politics and Decision-Making at the Subnational Level in Ukraine project to share their thoughts about women in leadership.

They explained why it is important to have more women in leadership positions, what qualities and strengths women leaders have, what challenges they face, and what personalities or books inspire them.

Olena Khlivna-Andreyeva, the town of Nova Odesa in Mykolaiv Oblast, a councillor in Nova Odesa Town Council

“In my opinion, the effective development of our country can only begin with the involvement of women in local governments.

A systematic analysis of local self-government bodies reveals stubborn facts – it’s just like real life: there are few women in key managerial positions, a lot of women hold the positions of deputies or line managers, while men continue to hold most positions in which key decisions are taken.

Global experience shows that women’s involvement in managerial bodies clearly makes an organization more successful when it comes to business, and more resilient to crises and adaptive when it comes to management! It is indeed necessary to change traditional stereotypes about the place of women at all levels – from that of the individual to that of the state! That’s why you need to inspire your women colleagues through your own example!”

Click here to read the full article published by UNDP on 5 March 2021.

The theme of 2021 International Women’s Day is “Women in leadership: Achieving an equal future in a COVID-19 world.” We asked participants in the UNDP Enhancing Women’s Role in Politics and Decision-Making at the Subnational Level in Ukraine project to share their thoughts about women in leadership.

They explained why it is important to have more women in leadership positions, what qualities and strengths women leaders have, what challenges they face, and what personalities or books inspire them.

Olena Khlivna-Andreyeva, the town of Nova Odesa in Mykolaiv Oblast, a councillor in Nova Odesa Town Council

“In my opinion, the effective development of our country can only begin with the involvement of women in local governments.

A systematic analysis of local self-government bodies reveals stubborn facts – it’s just like real life: there are few women in key managerial positions, a lot of women hold the positions of deputies or line managers, while men continue to hold most positions in which key decisions are taken.

Global experience shows that women’s involvement in managerial bodies clearly makes an organization more successful when it comes to business, and more resilient to crises and adaptive when it comes to management! It is indeed necessary to change traditional stereotypes about the place of women at all levels – from that of the individual to that of the state! That’s why you need to inspire your women colleagues through your own example!”

Click here to read the full article published by UNDP on 5 March 2021.

The theme of 2021 International Women’s Day is “Women in leadership: Achieving an equal future in a COVID-19 world.” We asked participants in the UNDP Enhancing Women’s Role in Politics and Decision-Making at the Subnational Level in Ukraine project to share their thoughts about women in leadership.

They explained why it is important to have more women in leadership positions, what qualities and strengths women leaders have, what challenges they face, and what personalities or books inspire them.

Olena Khlivna-Andreyeva, the town of Nova Odesa in Mykolaiv Oblast, a councillor in Nova Odesa Town Council

“In my opinion, the effective development of our country can only begin with the involvement of women in local governments.

A systematic analysis of local self-government bodies reveals stubborn facts – it’s just like real life: there are few women in key managerial positions, a lot of women hold the positions of deputies or line managers, while men continue to hold most positions in which key decisions are taken.

Global experience shows that women’s involvement in managerial bodies clearly makes an organization more successful when it comes to business, and more resilient to crises and adaptive when it comes to management! It is indeed necessary to change traditional stereotypes about the place of women at all levels – from that of the individual to that of the state! That’s why you need to inspire your women colleagues through your own example!”

Click here to read the full article published by UNDP on 5 March 2021.