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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.

World News

'Never again': Spain minister stands up for gender equality

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'Never again': Spain minister stands up for gender equality

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Spain’s government minister for economic affairs is making a stand for gender equality, saying she won’t take part in any more events or official group photographs where she is the only woman present.

Spain’s government minister for economic affairs, Nadia Calviño, made a stand for gender equality Thursday, saying she won’t take part in any more events or official group photographs where she is the only woman present.

Spain’s government minister for economic affairs is making a stand for gender equality, saying she won’t take part in any more events or official group photographs where she is the only woman present.

Spain’s government minister for economic affairs, Nadia Calviño, made a stand for gender equality Thursday, saying she won’t take part in any more events or official group photographs where she is the only woman present.

More representation but not influence: women in the European Parliament

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February 1, 2022

More representation but not influence: women in the European Parliament

Representing more than 447 million people across 27 countries, the European Parliament should be the poster child for the European Union’s “united in diversity” motto.

Representing more than 447 million people across 27 countries, the European Parliament should be the poster child for the European Union’s “united in diversity” motto.

World News

How two black women conquered US Senate primary politics

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How two black women conquered US Senate primary politics

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In an act of political muscle-flexing, Val Demings and Cheri Beasley managed to clear the Democratic field in two of the nation’s most prominent Senate races.

As Black women running in two of the nation’s most closely watched Senate races, Democratic Rep. Val Demings of Florida and former North Carolina Supreme Court Justice Cheri Beasley are poised to make history if they’re successful in November. But that’s only part of what makes their campaigns stand out this year.

In an act of political muscle-flexing, Val Demings and Cheri Beasley managed to clear the Democratic field in two of the nation’s most prominent Senate races.

As Black women running in two of the nation’s most closely watched Senate races, Democratic Rep. Val Demings of Florida and former North Carolina Supreme Court Justice Cheri Beasley are poised to make history if they’re successful in November. But that’s only part of what makes their campaigns stand out this year.

India: the link between education and participation of women in Indian politics

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January 31, 2022

India: the link between education and participation of women in Indian politics

The gender disparity in politics is indicative of the of need to promote education amongst women, thus, enabling greater political participation.

The gender disparity in politics is indicative of the of need to promote education amongst women, thus, enabling greater political participation.

Interviews

World News

France: women candidates for presidency highlight politics' sexism problem

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France: women candidates for presidency highlight politics' sexism problem

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France has never had a woman as president. With a number of female candidates in the election race this time, could that finally change? Challenges range from a #MeToo campaign to an "invisible" barrier to the top job.

France has never had a woman as president. With a number of female candidates in the election race this time, could that finally change? Challenges range from a #MeToo campaign to an "invisible" barrier to the top job.

World News

Why are we more likely to send a woman to the European Parliament than the Dáil?

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Why are we more likely to send a woman to the European Parliament than the Dáil?

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Parties will have ensure 40% of their candidates in the next general election are women if they want to avoid a funding cut.

If the current government survives past the end of the year, political parties will be expected to ensure at least 40% of their candidates in the next general election are women.

Parties will have ensure 40% of their candidates in the next general election are women if they want to avoid a funding cut.

If the current government survives past the end of the year, political parties will be expected to ensure at least 40% of their candidates in the next general election are women.

Unbought and unbossed: at 50, Shirley Chisholm continues to inspire black women in politics

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January 27, 2022

Unbought and unbossed: at 50, Shirley Chisholm continues to inspire black women in politics

By Anoa Changa

For Rep. Barbara Lee, part of Chisholm's legacy is how she inspired and empowered other Black women to reach higher.

By Anoa Changa

For Rep. Barbara Lee, part of Chisholm's legacy is how she inspired and empowered other Black women to reach higher.