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Women gaining ground in political decision-making in the UNECE region, but gender equality still a long way off

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Women gaining ground in political decision-making in the UNECE region, but gender equality still a long way off

Source: Unece

Tackling inequality between women and men in the sharing of power and decision-making at all levels is essential to strengthen democracy and achieve peace and sustainable development.

Back in 1995, this was identified as one of twelve critical areas of concern in the landmark Beijing Platform For Action, making a powerful call for the empowerment and autonomy of women in all spheres—social, economic and political.

Close to a quarter of a century on, this call continues to resonate throughout our societies. Building on the Platform for Action, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development includes a target (5.5) to “ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision-making in political, economic and public life”. Within this target, indicator 5.5.1 is “proportion of seats held by women in national parliaments and local governments”.

How close are UNECE countries to reaching gender equality in political decision-making?

Members of national parliaments

The representation of women in national parliaments has increased over the past five years, with legislative measures contributing to some of the largest increases.

The sex distribution of national parliamentarians is an important indication of how these relatively prestigious positions of power are shared between women and men. In a democratic society, this reflects the combination of women’s and men’s access to run for office (for example, being placed on lists of candidates where such lists are used), and the likelihood of female and male candidates being elected by voters.

Click here to read the full article published by Unece on September 2019.

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Focus areas

Tackling inequality between women and men in the sharing of power and decision-making at all levels is essential to strengthen democracy and achieve peace and sustainable development.

Back in 1995, this was identified as one of twelve critical areas of concern in the landmark Beijing Platform For Action, making a powerful call for the empowerment and autonomy of women in all spheres—social, economic and political.

Close to a quarter of a century on, this call continues to resonate throughout our societies. Building on the Platform for Action, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development includes a target (5.5) to “ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision-making in political, economic and public life”. Within this target, indicator 5.5.1 is “proportion of seats held by women in national parliaments and local governments”.

How close are UNECE countries to reaching gender equality in political decision-making?

Members of national parliaments

The representation of women in national parliaments has increased over the past five years, with legislative measures contributing to some of the largest increases.

The sex distribution of national parliamentarians is an important indication of how these relatively prestigious positions of power are shared between women and men. In a democratic society, this reflects the combination of women’s and men’s access to run for office (for example, being placed on lists of candidates where such lists are used), and the likelihood of female and male candidates being elected by voters.

Click here to read the full article published by Unece on September 2019.

News
Focus areas