Women's Leadership

As part of its commitment to enhancing gender equality and fighting sexism against women candidates and local office holders, the Congress launched, on 18 January 2024, a practical Guide for women and men on preventing and combatting sexism in local politics in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

In the ever-evolving world of politics, gender representation has become a pivotal conversation. From the United States to Kosovo, the struggle for women’s participation in politics, sports, entertainment, and judicial offices remains a global challenge. However, amidst these obstacles, progress is being made.

The Struggles of Women in Politics

There’s a scenario in which the presidents of the EU’s main institutions could all be women.

After the EU election in June, the top jobs at the European Council, the Commission and the Parliament — plus the head of the European External Action Service — will be distributed among the main political groups.

Promoting inclusiv­ity in all aspects of governance is very necessary to spur econom­ic growth and reduce marginalisation. Howev­er, making this a reality despite many efforts by various CSOs, women-led organisations and advocates for PWDs in the country seems difficult. The trend, if not properly ad­dressed, could lead to demo­cratic deficit.

DAR ES SALAAM: THE United Nations (UN) yesterday said that Tanzania has made significant progress in the advancement of women’s leadership and political participation, saying there should be a legal framework to protect women in the future to attain 50/50 thresholds in leadership.

UN Resident Coordinator, Mr Zlatan Milišić made the statement during the UN Women and Tanzania Editors Forum (TEF) meeting held in Dar es Salaam.

The Japanese Communist Party (JCP) chose Tomoko Tamura as its first-ever female leader Thursday, apparently in the hope of broadening its support base and attracting a wider array of voters.

In the 2019 general elections, Indonesian voters elected 118 women to the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR). Although an increase from 2014, when just 97 women were elected, women still only account for 21 per cent of the 575-member parliament. That means women’s political representation in Indonesia remains lower than the 30 per cent candidate quotaimposed by the Law on Elections No. 10, 2008.

In 2024, 1.5 billion people are expected to vote in national elections in what will be a record year for democracy, with elections happening in at least 64 countries and the European Union. 

So what will that mean for women in leadership at a time when men still overwhelmingly dominate on the world stage?