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Local Government

Local governments are in a unique position to contribute to the global struggle for gender equality by improving the status of women around the world. Local Governments are the level of governance closest to the citizens and as service providers and employers have an important role in creating the conditions that encourage women’s political participation. In this special feature, we are collecting knowledge resources, case studies, stories and interviews from women active in local politics.  

World News

Lori Lightfoot elected as Chicago’s first black female mayor

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Lori Lightfoot elected as Chicago’s first black female mayor

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CHICAGO — Lori Lightfoot has made history on several fronts after winning Chicago’s mayoral runoff on Tuesday.

She will become the city’s first black woman and its first openly gay person to hold the office when sworn in next month. The nation’s three largest cities have never elected a black woman as mayor — the other two, New York and Los Angeles, have never even had a female mayor — and none of the three cities has ever elected an openly gay person to the job.

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CHICAGO — Lori Lightfoot has made history on several fronts after winning Chicago’s mayoral runoff on Tuesday.

She will become the city’s first black woman and its first openly gay person to hold the office when sworn in next month. The nation’s three largest cities have never elected a black woman as mayor — the other two, New York and Los Angeles, have never even had a female mayor — and none of the three cities has ever elected an openly gay person to the job.

Strengthening women's participation in local governance: lessons and strategies

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April 2, 2019

Strengthening women's participation in local governance: lessons and strategies

South Africa has made great strides in establishing a constitutional and legislative framework for building a participatory democracy.

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South Africa has made great strides in establishing a constitutional and legislative framework for building a participatory democracy.

Political Participation of Women in Local Governance: A Case Study of Selected Local Government Bodies in Eastern Sri Lanka

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April 2, 2019

Political Participation of Women in Local Governance: A Case Study of Selected Local Government Bodies in Eastern Sri Lanka

Although Sri Lanka has 51% women, their participation in local governance as well as in the national parliament is 5% in total.

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Although Sri Lanka has 51% women, their participation in local governance as well as in the national parliament is 5% in total.

Women in local government: what we know and where we go from here

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April 2, 2019

Women in local government: what we know and where we go from here

Women are underrepresented in most elected and appointed positions in local government in the United States.

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Women are underrepresented in most elected and appointed positions in local government in the United States.

e-Discussions

Women in Public Administration

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Women in Public Administration

“Increasing the proportion of women in public institutions makes them more representative, increases innovation, improves decision-making and benefits whole societies” - António Guterres, United Nations Secretary-General, Message on International Women’s Day 2017

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“Increasing the proportion of women in public institutions makes them more representative, increases innovation, improves decision-making and benefits whole societies” - António Guterres, United Nations Secretary-General, Message on International Women’s Day 2017

“The quota encouraged me to run”: evaluating Jordan’s municipal quota for women

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March 25, 2019

“The quota encouraged me to run”: evaluating Jordan’s municipal quota for women

Gender quotas are a means to improve women’s political representation. This article examines the impact of Jordan’s municipal quota enacted in 2007. The quota drew into the political arena women who would otherwise not have run for office.

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Gender quotas are a means to improve women’s political representation. This article examines the impact of Jordan’s municipal quota enacted in 2007. The quota drew into the political arena women who would otherwise not have run for office.

Barriers to Women Entering Parliament and Local Government in the United Kingdom

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February 28, 2019

Barriers to Women Entering Parliament and Local Government in the United Kingdom

In January 2018, the Government Equalities Office (GEO) commissioned this rapid evidence review, the two broad aims of which were to identify: a) barriers to women’s participation in local and

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In January 2018, the Government Equalities Office (GEO) commissioned this rapid evidence review, the two broad aims of which were to identify: a) barriers to women’s participation in local and

Path to Parity: How Women Run and Win in the United States

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February 26, 2019

Path to Parity: How Women Run and Win in the United States

Path to Parity: How Women Run and Win distills Political Parity’s research on women candidates and elected officeholders, drawing on additional studies to illuminate issues and proffer strategies

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Path to Parity: How Women Run and Win distills Political Parity’s research on women candidates and elected officeholders, drawing on additional studies to illuminate issues and proffer strategies

World News

Nevada becomes first state with majority of women in assembly

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Nevada becomes first state with majority of women in assembly

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As a single mother, Beatrice Duran never imagined that she would get involved in politics. When she moved to Las Vegas in 1985, her focus was on keeping “a solid job” as a food server to provide for her young daughter and, later, her son.

Opportunities to become involved in public life felt out of reach.

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As a single mother, Beatrice Duran never imagined that she would get involved in politics. When she moved to Las Vegas in 1985, her focus was on keeping “a solid job” as a food server to provide for her young daughter and, later, her son.

Opportunities to become involved in public life felt out of reach.

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