Women still underrepresented in politics DevelopmentAid

Despite the significant progress made during the last few decades, the issue of the gender gap in political representation persists. Women still encounter specific structural and societal barriers that hinder their ambition, possibilities, and willingness to seek office, fulfill their mandates, or access positions of leadership. Moreover, in some cases, women who pursue political careers become targets of violence, intimidation, and harassment. In today’s article, we present the key statistics of the current political landscape and the women who are part of it.

As of 2021, the global average proportion of women holding legislative seats has reached an all-time high of 25.5%, 14.2% up on the 1995 indicator. At the regional level, the Americas (+19.7%), Europe (+17.2%), and sub-Saharan Africa (+15.1%) have shown the most significant gains during the last 26 years. In the context of the European Union institutions, it is notable that in 2019 Ursula von der Leyen became the first female President of the European Commission while the share of women members of the European Parliament has increased from 1.3 % in 1952 to 39.3 % in 2020.

Fig1. Average proportion of women holding legislative seats (World/Regional, 1995/2021)

A Flourish chart

Source: Inter-Parliamentary Union – Women in parliament in 2020 The year in review

Why gender balance in politics matters

The importance of a balanced representation of women at all levels of decision-making is highlighted by the United Nations which sees this as a vital contributor to the building of healthy and inclusive societies and successfully achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Moreover, the presence of women in political leadership increases the legitimacy of governing institutions and ensures the adequate representation of women’s interests. Female political role models can initiate social waves of transformation that will raise awareness on gender-based based issues and discrimination.

Some Facts and Figures

Only 13 countries have 50% or more of ministerial positions held by women: Nicaragua – 59%, Austria – 57%, Sweden – 57%, Belgium – 57%, Albania – 56%, Rwanda – 55%, Costa Rica – 52%, Canada – 51% and Andorra, Finland, France, Guinea-Bissau, Spain – 50%
Lithuania and Belgium have registered the most significant leap in terms of the political representation of women at the executive level in 2021 with increases of 35% and 32% respectively compared to the previous electoral terms
As of 1 September 2021, 26 women were serving as Heads of State and/or Government in 24 countries (out of more than 200 countries in the world)
As of 1 January 2021, there were no women were serving in the governments of Azerbaijan, Armenia, Brunei Darussalam, D.P.R. Korea, Papua New Guinea, Saint Vincent, and the Grenadines, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Vietnam, and Yemen
As of January 2021, 1432 portfolios in 193 countries were held by women, with Environment/Energy (105) and Social Affairs (101) being the most predominant portfolios
At the current rate of progress, gender parity in national legislative bodies will not be achieved before 2063, according to UN Women.

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