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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.

Three reasons why women leaders actually matter for women

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August 1, 2022

Three reasons why women leaders actually matter for women

There are currently just 30 female presidents and prime ministers worldwide.

There are currently just 30 female presidents and prime ministers worldwide.

Barriers to women’s political participation in Vanuatu

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July 29, 2022

Barriers to women’s political participation in Vanuatu

The way politics is played in Melanesian countries has very little national inclusivity about it – in terms of participation by and representation of both men and women at the national level.

The way politics is played in Melanesian countries has very little national inclusivity about it – in terms of participation by and representation of both men and women at the national level.

Why Do Zimbabwean Women Shun Politics?

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July 28, 2022

Why Do Zimbabwean Women Shun Politics?

MUTARE, Zimbabwe (IDN) — Cyberbullying and online sexual harassment are some dilemmas that young women trying to rise in Zimbabwe’s patriarchal and male-dominated political space face.

MUTARE, Zimbabwe (IDN) — Cyberbullying and online sexual harassment are some dilemmas that young women trying to rise in Zimbabwe’s patriarchal and male-dominated political space face.

Kenya's women in politics still fighting to get their voices heard

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July 28, 2022

Kenya's women in politics still fighting to get their voices heard

As Kenya prepares to vote in a new president next month, we take a closer look at the role of women in the country’s politics. In Uganda, we bring you a report on efforts to respond to a major hunger crisis in the country’s northeast.

As Kenya prepares to vote in a new president next month, we take a closer look at the role of women in the country’s politics. In Uganda, we bring you a report on efforts to respond to a major hunger crisis in the country’s northeast.

World News

Climate change action: These seven women MPs are leading the way

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Climate change action: These seven women MPs are leading the way

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Research shows that female political leadership directs countries to adopt more robust climate change policies. Even though women globally are just 26.3 per cent of all parliamentarians, they are able to make a disproportionate impact.

Research shows that female political leadership directs countries to adopt more robust climate change policies. Even though women globally are just 26.3 per cent of all parliamentarians, they are able to make a disproportionate impact.

Gender agenda: The big conundrum in the general elections in Kenya and Senegal

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July 27, 2022

Gender agenda: The big conundrum in the general elections in Kenya and Senegal

In the months of July and August, Senegal and Kenya will hold their general elections. However, the big question remains: Where do Senegalese and Kenyan women stand on their quest to parliamentary mandates and political offices?

In the months of July and August, Senegal and Kenya will hold their general elections. However, the big question remains: Where do Senegalese and Kenyan women stand on their quest to parliamentary mandates and political offices?

World News

Estonia: New cabinet sworn into office

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Estonia: New cabinet sworn into office

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Prime Minister Kaja Kallas has regained her parliamentary majority with the swearing in of a new government made up of a three-party coalition. Despite the return of stability, the PM has warned of "hard times" ahead.

Estonia's new government was sworn in on Monday, providing a ruling majority for Prime Minister Kaja Kallas.

Prime Minister Kaja Kallas has regained her parliamentary majority with the swearing in of a new government made up of a three-party coalition. Despite the return of stability, the PM has warned of "hard times" ahead.

Estonia's new government was sworn in on Monday, providing a ruling majority for Prime Minister Kaja Kallas.

"Dominated by old men": Tokyo ward’s first female mayor takes on status quo

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July 26, 2022

"Dominated by old men": Tokyo ward’s first female mayor takes on status quo

Satoko Kishimoto sets sights on ‘radical change’ in Japan, where only 2% of local government leaders are women.

Satoko Kishimoto sets sights on ‘radical change’ in Japan, where only 2% of local government leaders are women.

Breaking barriers to women’s participation in politics in Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine

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July 25, 2022

Breaking barriers to women’s participation in politics in Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine

This paper examines the barriers that still inhibit women’s political participation in Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine.

This paper examines the barriers that still inhibit women’s political participation in Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine.