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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.

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Feminist outcry for Nicaragua’s female political prisoners

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Feminist outcry for Nicaragua’s female political prisoners

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Relatives of opposition members imprisoned by the regime addressed the panel, decrying the poor treatment and different types of torture the female prisoners suffer.

Feminists from different countries “shouted out” on March 10th for the 14 women opposition leaders who are currently political prisoners in Nicaragua. Their aim was to pressure for the women to be freed.

Relatives of opposition members imprisoned by the regime addressed the panel, decrying the poor treatment and different types of torture the female prisoners suffer.

Feminists from different countries “shouted out” on March 10th for the 14 women opposition leaders who are currently political prisoners in Nicaragua. Their aim was to pressure for the women to be freed.

Special seats bill in Nigeria: Balancing representation through constitutional reforms

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April 1, 2022

Special seats bill in Nigeria: Balancing representation through constitutional reforms

Global trends indicate the slow-paced progress in closing gender gaps across major dimensions of human development in different countries.

Global trends indicate the slow-paced progress in closing gender gaps across major dimensions of human development in different countries.

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Ghana: Encourage women to partake in active politics – Hannah Bissiw

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Ghana: Encourage women to partake in active politics – Hannah Bissiw

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The National Women Organiser of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Dr Louisa Hannah Bissiw, has called on the women leadership of political parties to mentor young ladies in and out of tertiary education to partake in active politics.

She explained that women’s participation in partisan politics was low and needed strategic intervention on the part of parties that believed in equity and equality to reverse the trend.

The National Women Organiser of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Dr Louisa Hannah Bissiw, has called on the women leadership of political parties to mentor young ladies in and out of tertiary education to partake in active politics.

She explained that women’s participation in partisan politics was low and needed strategic intervention on the part of parties that believed in equity and equality to reverse the trend.

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Meet the women fighting to change the face of Lebanese politics

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Meet the women fighting to change the face of Lebanese politics

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Female politicians still face numerous obstacles despite momentum for change.

On a sunny afternoon near a busy motorway in Beirut, former Lebanese MP Paula Yacoubian sits in the headquarters of her charitable organisation.

Female politicians still face numerous obstacles despite momentum for change.

On a sunny afternoon near a busy motorway in Beirut, former Lebanese MP Paula Yacoubian sits in the headquarters of her charitable organisation.

The cost of doing politics: A critical discursive analysis of Australian liberal politicians’ responses to accusations by female politicians of bullying and intimidation

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March 28, 2022

The cost of doing politics: A critical discursive analysis of Australian liberal politicians’ responses to accusations by female politicians of bullying and intimidation

Recent conversations prompted by the #MeToo and #TimesUp movements have put issues of workplace sexism, sexual harassment and sexual assault into the global spotlight.

Recent conversations prompted by the #MeToo and #TimesUp movements have put issues of workplace sexism, sexual harassment and sexual assault into the global spotlight.

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Female opposition MP among dozens killed in Somalia bombings

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Female opposition MP among dozens killed in Somalia bombings

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Al-Shabaab claim responsibility for attacks, including that which killed Amina Mohamed Abdi in run-up to elections this week.

A “fearless” Somali female MP was among dozens of people killed in a series of bomb attacks in rural Somalia on Wednesday.

Al-Shabaab claim responsibility for attacks, including that which killed Amina Mohamed Abdi in run-up to elections this week.

A “fearless” Somali female MP was among dozens of people killed in a series of bomb attacks in rural Somalia on Wednesday.

World News

Pakistan: In a first, Sindh to have a woman tribal sardar

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Pakistan: In a first, Sindh to have a woman tribal sardar

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MPA Heer Soho says community chose her as leader after her father.

For the first time in Sindh’s history, a woman is set to become a Sardar of her tribe. The decision has been taken with consensus by the Soho community of Sindh. After the demise of former tribal leader Ismail Soho, his daughter Heer Soho, a member of the Sindh assembly, will lead the tribe.

MPA Heer Soho says community chose her as leader after her father.

For the first time in Sindh’s history, a woman is set to become a Sardar of her tribe. The decision has been taken with consensus by the Soho community of Sindh. After the demise of former tribal leader Ismail Soho, his daughter Heer Soho, a member of the Sindh assembly, will lead the tribe.

Protecting public health in adverse circumstances: subnational women leaders and feminist policymaking during COVID-19

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March 28, 2022

Protecting public health in adverse circumstances: subnational women leaders and feminist policymaking during COVID-19

This article analyses how women governors, mayors, and local elected officials promoted public health and social protection in countries where men chief executives failed to take steps to contain the virus.

This article analyses how women governors, mayors, and local elected officials promoted public health and social protection in countries where men chief executives failed to take steps to contain the virus.