Women in every industry are paving the way for themselves. They are emerging from every corner of the globe, but there is still much work to be done before they can take charge. This article will provide in-depth information about women in parliament around the world.

Women continue to be underrepresented in parliaments around the world. Many countries are looking into ways to increase women’s participation in government at all levels, from local to national and international. In today’s world, more and more women are expected to take on leadership roles. Despite the fact that the number of female leaders around the world is increasing, they still constitute a very small group.

Despite increases in the number of women at the highest levels of political power, widespread gender inequalities persist: progress in women holding ministerial portfolios has slowed, with only a minor increase from 21.3 percent in 2020 to 21.9 percent in 2021; the number of countries with no women in government has increased; and only 25.5 percent of national parliamentarians are women, compared to 24.9 percent the previous year.

Women’s engagement is crucial to achieving the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. You may be wondering what the Sustainable Development Goal is.

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOAL 2030

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which world leaders approved in 2015, provide a road map for progress that is both sustainable and leaves no one behind.

Gender equality and women’s empowerment are key to attaining all 17 goals. Only by protecting women’s and girls’ rights across all goals can we achieve justice and inclusion, inclusive economies, and the preservation of our common environment for present and future generations.

WHAT DO FACTS AND FIGURES SAY?

Data reveal that women are underrepresented at all levels of decision-making across the world, and gender balance in political life is still a long way off.

Let’s first talk about the EXECUTIVE GOVERNMENT POSITIONS which are held by women.

There are 26 women serving as Heads of State or Government in 24 nations as of September 1, 202. Just 10 nations have a female Head of State, and 13 have a female Head of Government. Only 21% of government ministers were female. Only 14 nations have 50% or more women in cabinets. The five most common portfolios held by women ministers are Family/children/youth/elderly/disabled that is followed by Social affairs, Environment/natural resources/energy, Employment/labor/vocational training, and Women affairs/gender equality.

Gender equality in the top positions of power is far of sight for another 130 years if current trends continue. Gender parity in ministerial seats will not be realized until 2077, with a yearly rise of only 0.52 percentage points.

After Executive positions, it is time to have a look on Women in NATIONAL PARLIAMENT.

Only 25 percent of all national parliamentarians are women, up from 11 percent in 1995.World has a total of 195 countries but the sad news is only four countries have 50 percent or more women in parliament in single or lower houses. Rwanda leading with 61 percent, Cuba with 53 percent, Bolivia with 53 percent, and the United Arab Emirates with 50 percent of women in parliament.

19 countries in the world are making slow progress by reaching or surpassing 40percent, including 9 countries in Europe, 5 in Latin America and the Caribbean, 4 in Africa and 1 in the Pacific. Two-thirds among these countries have applied gender quotas which would bring more women in national parliaments. There are around 27 States in which women account for less than 10 percent of parliamentarians in lower houses and more sadistic thing is four of these has no women at all.

If the current rate doesn’t pick up pace, then gender parity in national legislative bodies will not be achieved before 2063.

In Latin America and the Caribbean, and Europe and Northern America, women hold more than 30 percent of parliamentary seats. In Northern Africa and Western Asia and Oceania, there is less than 17 percent of women in national parliaments. Women’s representation is the lowest in the Pacific Island States as women hold 6 percent of seats, and they are not represented in parliaments in three countries.

Now let’s what the data has to say about women in the LOCAL GOVERNMENT.

Data from 133 countries shows that women constitute 2.18 million (36 percent) of elected members in local deliberative bodies. Only two countries have reached 50 percent, and an additional 18 countries have more than 40 percent women in local government.

When we talk about regional variations for women’s representation in local deliberative bodies, as of January 2020 then Central and Southern Asia leads the way with 41 percent women followed by Europe and Northern America with 35 percent, Oceania with 32 per cent, Sub-Saharan Africa with 29 percent, Eastern and South-Eastern Asia with 25 percent, Latin America and the Caribbean with 25 percent, Western Asia and Northern Africa with 18 percent.

The Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action set an internationally accepted aim of equal political involvement and power-sharing between men and women in decision-making. Most nations have not achieved gender balance, and just a few have set or met aggressive objectives for gender parity.

There is a large body of data indicating that women’s leadership in political decision making has a greater effect. For instance, a study on panchayats in India discovered that the number of drinking water projects in regions with women-led councils was 62 percent  greater than in areas with men-led councils. Women have also shown to be stronger leaders when it comes to problems of gender equality.

WHAT IS HOLDING WOMEN BACK?

From the local to the global level, women’s leadership and political engagement are stifled. They are underrepresented in all sectors. This is despite their demonstrated talents as change makers and leaders. When it comes to entering politics, women confront family concerns, discriminatory legislation, and structural hurdles. Many women continue to be denied the fundamental right to an education, contacts, and resources.

According to the 2011 UN General Assembly resolution on women’s political participation states, “Women in every part of the world continue to be largely marginalized from the political sphere, often as a result of discriminatory laws, practices, attitudes and gender stereotypes, low levels of education, lack of access to health care and the disproportionate effect of poverty on women.”

Individually, women have surmounted these hurdles, but as a group, women are still finding it difficult to ascend.

5 THINGS THAT WILL LEAD WOMEN IN POLITICS

• One of the most important ways for governments throughout the globe to lead women into politics is to set aside quotas for women. This would not only make it easier for women to move up the ladder, but also to represent their country on a global scale.
• Another significant thing that can be done is to raise awareness among women about the roles they may play in governments and the impact they can have on the globe by entering politics. It is crucial to remind women of their decision-making ability.

• In recent years, social media has become the most influential. There are a lot of digital platforms trying to empower women, and it would be simpler for women to enter politics if these platforms began to provide quick and effective assistance to women who are interested in entering politics.

• Giving women access to connections and resources, as well as providing them with great education, would be another weapon for women to use in order to conquer the realm of politics and truly bring in gender equality.

• It’s time to put the motto “Women for Women” to the test. Women who have good knowledge of politics or who are well educated in the world of politics through books, media, or have any of their family members involved in politics can step out and assist other women in understanding the world of politics. This would be extremely beneficial to women who wish to enter politics.

When we go back in history, we realize that women have been excellent leaders who have proven themselves at every point in time, but it saddens our hearts to know that women have not yet conquered the realm of politics and are still a long way from doing so. It is high time for the globe to consider implementing gender equality in politics. “WOMEN ARE THE CHANGEMAKERS, THE CHANGE MAKERS ARE WOMEN.”

Resources

1. https://www.unwomen.org
2. https://www.ipu.org/news/women-in-politics-2021
3. https://data.worldbank.org/
4. https://news.un.org/
5. https://www.womenpoliticalleaders.org/