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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

Guyana Parliament reaches out to youth

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Guyana Parliament reaches out to youth

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In a good example of parliamentary outreach to young people, the second edition of the Guyana National Youth Debating Competition takes place on Friday, 8 April. Some 16 youth groups will participate in the event with the objective of connecting young people to parliament.

In a good example of parliamentary outreach to young people, the second edition of the Guyana National Youth Debating Competition takes place on Friday, 8 April. Some 16 youth groups will participate in the event with the objective of connecting young people to parliament.

World News

Somalia: Women struggle to make their voices heard in politics

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Somalia: Women struggle to make their voices heard in politics

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Although Somalia now has a quota system for female lawmakers, women are frequently held back from pursuing leadership roles due to pervasive cultural and social barriers.

It's not easy being a female politician in conflict-ridden Somalia.

Men have long dominated national and local leadership roles in the Horn of Africa nation, largely due to deeply ingrained traditional prejudices.

Although Somalia now has a quota system for female lawmakers, women are frequently held back from pursuing leadership roles due to pervasive cultural and social barriers.

It's not easy being a female politician in conflict-ridden Somalia.

Men have long dominated national and local leadership roles in the Horn of Africa nation, largely due to deeply ingrained traditional prejudices.

Albania: Violence against women in politics

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April 12, 2022

Albania: Violence against women in politics

The Study "Violence Against Women in Politics" is commissioned by the UNDP Albania, in partnership with the People's Advocate and the Commissioner for Protection from Discrimination and it is conducted in the context of the UN Joint Programme "Ending Violence Against

The Study "Violence Against Women in Politics" is commissioned by the UNDP Albania, in partnership with the People's Advocate and the Commissioner for Protection from Discrimination and it is conducted in the context of the UN Joint Programme "Ending Violence Against

World News

Albanian women in politics still suffering violence, study finds

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Albanian women in politics still suffering violence, study finds

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A study conducted by the UNDP and Albanian partners, published on Wednesday, shows that women in Albanian politics still face routine discrimination, abuse and offensive language.

The findings of a study on “Violence against women in politics”, conducted by UNDP in cooperation with Albania’s Ombudsman and Commissioner for Protection from Discrimination, were published on Wednesday at a roundtable held in the Albanian parliament.

A study conducted by the UNDP and Albanian partners, published on Wednesday, shows that women in Albanian politics still face routine discrimination, abuse and offensive language.

The findings of a study on “Violence against women in politics”, conducted by UNDP in cooperation with Albania’s Ombudsman and Commissioner for Protection from Discrimination, were published on Wednesday at a roundtable held in the Albanian parliament.

World News

US: The proportion of elected city offices held by women rose by just 3% in 2022

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US: The proportion of elected city offices held by women rose by just 3% in 2022

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Female mayors account for a little more than a quarter of the 100 largest U.S. cities.

The proportion of elected offices in U.S. cities held by women increased by 3% in 2022. Still, women make up less than a third of mayors, city council members and other local elected office holders following last year's municipal elections in New York, Boston and other large cities.

Female mayors account for a little more than a quarter of the 100 largest U.S. cities.

The proportion of elected offices in U.S. cities held by women increased by 3% in 2022. Still, women make up less than a third of mayors, city council members and other local elected office holders following last year's municipal elections in New York, Boston and other large cities.

World News

China limits women representation across top echelons of political system

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China limits women representation across top echelons of political system

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Women have limited representation and voice across the top echelons of China's political system, said US-China Economic and Security Review Commission in a report.

Women have limited representation and voice across the top echelons of China's political system, said US-China Economic and Security Review Commission in a report.

World News

Only eight women stand in all-male Western Isles council elections

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Only eight women stand in all-male Western Isles council elections

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Officials and activists had urged more women to stand after none of the female candidates were elected in 2017.

Equalities campaigners are dismayed that only eight women are standing for election to Comhairle nan Eilean Siar (Western Isles council), despite a campaign to diversify Scotland’s only all-male local authority.

Officials and activists had urged more women to stand after none of the female candidates were elected in 2017.

Equalities campaigners are dismayed that only eight women are standing for election to Comhairle nan Eilean Siar (Western Isles council), despite a campaign to diversify Scotland’s only all-male local authority.

Canada: Women in politics study

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April 11, 2022

Canada: Women in politics study

This document presents the result of a series of surveys conducted by Abacus Data in January 2022, about women in politics and the future of women in politics.

This document presents the result of a series of surveys conducted by Abacus Data in January 2022, about women in politics and the future of women in politics.

2022 Women in US municipal office

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April 11, 2022

2022 Women in US municipal office

Data provided by the Center for American Women and Politics and KnowWho Data Services. Numbers include members and officers of the municipal legislative branch of incorporated cities and towns with populations over 10,000 as per the U.S. Census.

Data provided by the Center for American Women and Politics and KnowWho Data Services. Numbers include members and officers of the municipal legislative branch of incorporated cities and towns with populations over 10,000 as per the U.S. Census.