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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

Women battle for seats in PNG parliament

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Women battle for seats in PNG parliament

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Port Moresby (AFP) – Women are fighting to get at least one seat in Papua New Guinea's male-dominated parliament when voting opens Monday in a mountainous, forest-clad land scarred by gender-based violence.

Prime Minister James Marape is fending off a challenge from his predecessor Peter O'Neill to lead this resource-rich but poverty-struck Pacific Island for the next five years.

Whoever wins, the new leader will need to cobble together a coalition government, say analysts.

Port Moresby (AFP) – Women are fighting to get at least one seat in Papua New Guinea's male-dominated parliament when voting opens Monday in a mountainous, forest-clad land scarred by gender-based violence.

Prime Minister James Marape is fending off a challenge from his predecessor Peter O'Neill to lead this resource-rich but poverty-struck Pacific Island for the next five years.

Whoever wins, the new leader will need to cobble together a coalition government, say analysts.

World News

Jersey election 2022: Number of females elected rises from 14 to 21

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Jersey election 2022: Number of females elected rises from 14 to 21

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The 2022 election has seen more women elected to Jersey's government than ever before.

A total of 51% of the newly-elected deputies are women, and women now make up 43% of the overall government.

Carina Alves, Inna Gardiner, Carolyn Labey, Helen Miles and Kristina Moore topped their constituency polls.

The 2022 election has seen more women elected to Jersey's government than ever before.

A total of 51% of the newly-elected deputies are women, and women now make up 43% of the overall government.

Carina Alves, Inna Gardiner, Carolyn Labey, Helen Miles and Kristina Moore topped their constituency polls.

How to level the playing field for women in Venezuelan politics

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July 1, 2022

How to level the playing field for women in Venezuelan politics

Despite some small advances and changes in legislation, both chavismo and the opposition make things more difficult for female politicians. But Venezuela could take some steps towards equality.

Despite some small advances and changes in legislation, both chavismo and the opposition make things more difficult for female politicians. But Venezuela could take some steps towards equality.

If we take abuse of women for granted in politics, our democracy will pay

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June 30, 2022

If we take abuse of women for granted in politics, our democracy will pay

Online abuse and harassment of women in public life has become a curse on our political landscape.

Online abuse and harassment of women in public life has become a curse on our political landscape.

Political violence targeting women in West Africa

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June 30, 2022

Political violence targeting women in West Africa

Women around the world are facing unprecedented levels of targeted political violence. This is also true in West Africa. Women can be targeted in a myriad of ways, by an array of types of perpetrators, during and outside of periods of conflict and contentious crises.

Women around the world are facing unprecedented levels of targeted political violence. This is also true in West Africa. Women can be targeted in a myriad of ways, by an array of types of perpetrators, during and outside of periods of conflict and contentious crises.

World News

French lawmakers pick Yael Braun-Pivet as first ever woman president of National Assembly

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French lawmakers pick Yael Braun-Pivet as first ever woman president of National Assembly

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France's lower house of parliament on Tuesday agreed to pick an MP from President Emmanuel Macron's centrist coalition as the first woman speaker, despite the ruling alliance losing its majority in legislative elections.

The 19 June election saw surges for the far right and hard left and opposition forces have said they will not be lured into a lasting arrangement to support Macron's government, which is 37 seats short of an overall majority.

France's lower house of parliament on Tuesday agreed to pick an MP from President Emmanuel Macron's centrist coalition as the first woman speaker, despite the ruling alliance losing its majority in legislative elections.

The 19 June election saw surges for the far right and hard left and opposition forces have said they will not be lured into a lasting arrangement to support Macron's government, which is 37 seats short of an overall majority.

World News

33% of candidates in Japan's upper house election are women, highest ever

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33% of candidates in Japan's upper house election are women, highest ever

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TOKYO -- A record 181 of the 545 people standing in Japan's July 10 House of Councillors election are women, comprising 33.2% of all candidates, also a high.

The total of 181 female candidates announced on June 22 was up 77 from the previous upper house contest in 2019. It was the first time for the figure to top the 146 female candidates in the chamber's 1989 election, when the so-called "Madonna boom" led by Takako Doi, then head of the now-defunct Japan Socialist Party, occurred.

TOKYO -- A record 181 of the 545 people standing in Japan's July 10 House of Councillors election are women, comprising 33.2% of all candidates, also a high.

The total of 181 female candidates announced on June 22 was up 77 from the previous upper house contest in 2019. It was the first time for the figure to top the 146 female candidates in the chamber's 1989 election, when the so-called "Madonna boom" led by Takako Doi, then head of the now-defunct Japan Socialist Party, occurred.

World News

Emergency preparedness requires gender-aware responses to reduce burdens of care, violence and economic insecurity on women: UN Women and UNDP Tracker Report

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Emergency preparedness requires gender-aware responses to reduce burdens of care, violence and economic insecurity on women: UN Women and UNDP Tracker Report

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This new report presents a clarion opportunity to champion improved, gender-responsive social protections and to ensure meaningful participation of women to identify solutions to acute and chronic challenges that leave no one behind.

This new report presents a clarion opportunity to champion improved, gender-responsive social protections and to ensure meaningful participation of women to identify solutions to acute and chronic challenges that leave no one behind.

Government responses to COVID-19: Lessons on gender equality for a world in turmoil

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June 28, 2022

Government responses to COVID-19: Lessons on gender equality for a world in turmoil

The overlapping impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, accelerating climate disasters, and geopolitical conflict are a threat to gender equality and women’s rights across the globe.

The overlapping impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, accelerating climate disasters, and geopolitical conflict are a threat to gender equality and women’s rights across the globe.