VIOLENCE

AGAINST WOMEN
IN POLITICS
CARMEN ALANIS

November 2020
 Violence Against Women in Politics kofiannanfoundation.org

VIOLENCE Contents
AGAINST WOMEN
IN POLITICS
CARMEN ALANIS1 Executive Summary 04

Introduction 06

I. Equality, inclusion and access to justice 08

II. Women: political rights and gender mandates 11

III. Legal developments in recognizing women’s political rights 14

IV. Gender gap size in political representation 17

V. What is violence against women in politics? 28

V.I How does this type of violence manifest itself? 31

Violence in politics as experienced by female activists 32

Violence in politics as experienced by female candidates 34

Violence in public office 34

Digital and media violence 34

V.II International developments in specific legislation on political

violence against women 36

Bolivia 36

Mexico 36

V.III Case law: violence against women in politics 40

1
President and Founding Partner of 12624 Consultoras, consultancy promoting justice,
equality, democracy and electoral integrity. Lawyer, feminist and Juris doctor. Bolivia, 2020: forced resignation 40
Member of the Kofi Annan Foundation Electoral Integrity Initiative, Mujeres en Plural
(Mexican organization advocating for women’s political rights); International Women’s European Parliament, 2018: harassment and violence against
Forum, Mexico Chapter; Association of Women Electoral Magistrates of the Americas;
parliamentarians 41
and International Association of Women Judges.
From 2006 to 2016, she was a Justice at the Superior Chamber of the Electoral Court Mexico, 2018: attempted murder 42
of Mexico, becoming its first female Chief Justice. She has also been Executive Secretary
and Director of Electoral Training and Civic Education at the Federal Electoral Institute. Mexico, 2018: ploys to prevent parity 42
She has represented Mexico before the Committee of Experts at the Organization of
V.IV A comprehensive model for protecting women in the
American States (OAS) Inter-American Commission of Women, and before the Venice
Commission. She was the Chief Officer and Founder of the National Autonomous exercise of their political rights 43
University of Mexico (UNAM)-Boston Center for Mexican Studies and has been a Visiting
Scholar at Harvard Law School. She is a professor at UNAM Law School. VI. Recommendations 46

Research Assistant: Marisol Vázquez Bibliography 52

2 3
 Violence Against Women in Politics kofiannanfoundation.org

Executive summary

Electoral integrity refers to elections Key recommendations

based on the principles of universal Based on the findings, the following key recommendations need to be actioned by

suffrage and political equality. various groups including international organizations, nation states, political parties
and civil society to effectively address violence against women in politics.

However, these principles are not

adhered to by newer and older • The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against
Women (CEDAW) Committee of Experts should issue a specific
democracies across the world, with recommendation regarding violence against women in politics.

various barriers to equal and universal • That states design a comprehensive model of access to justice (electoral,
administrative and criminal).
political participation. • Formally legislate and recognize violence against women in politics.
• Regulate and hold political parties accountable.
For a long time, women’s interests, voices and opinions were not represented. This
started to change with the advent of women’s suffrage, affirmative measures (such as • Address cases of violence against women in politics from a gender
quotas and reserved seats) and parity, measures needed for progress in constructing perspective.
more egalitarian and truly democratic societies.
• Inform, educate and empower women on their political rights.
Although women make up just over half of the world’s population, they often lack access to
• Consolidate women’s leadership.
public office. To highlight the extent of this problem, only 25% of the 35,127 global
parliamentary constituency seats are held by women. In addition, 85 of the 153 countries • Support civil society organizations and activists to address violent cases.
covered by the 2020 Global Gender Gap report, have not had a female head of state, head of • Generate statistics to identify victims and perpetrators to adequately
government or president at any time in the past 50 years. Despite almost unanimous address the issue.
recognition of women’s right to vote and affirmative action, many societies still lack equal
• Undertake further qualitative studies.
opportunities and outcomes regarding female participation in politics. Women face various
electoral and political barriers including deciding to run for public office, campaigning and • Create communications campaigns that are free of stereotypes.
holding public office on equal terms with men, as well as holding political positions in spaces • Develop international protocols.
free of violence. Even with the increase of female participation in politics since women’s
suffrage, this has, unfortunately, been met with an increase in gender-based violence.
These recommendations should be consolidated with current international, regional,
The aim of this paper is to make visible the various hindrances women face in their attempts to
national and local efforts in addressing violence against women in politics. This is the
access political spaces and challenges faced once they have made it into public office. Through
only way to achieve electorally integral communities as well as equitable and truly
extensive research and case study examples, this paper sheds light on the serious problem of
democratic societies.
violence against women in politics and, identifies the dynamics and complexities women face
when participating in the political sphere. These major findings draw attention to the extent of
psychological, sexual and physical violence women face. Thus, the logical next step is to make
concrete recommendations aimed at resolving this issue.

4 5
 Violence Against Women in Politics kofiannanfoundation.org

Introduction women’s right to vote and affirmative action This paper aims to raise awareness regarding
against inequality in many countries, there are the serious phenomenon of violence against
still barriers preventing women from exercising women in politics as well as identify the
their electoral and political rights, which dynamics and complexities of women’s
include the decision to run for office, participation in the public sphere that threaten
We cannot speak of “electoral campaigning and holding public office, on representative and participatory democracy.
equal terms with men and in spaces free of The origins of violence against women in
integrity” if states do not create violence. politics and unequal power relations will be

conditions whereby everyone with the It is inconceivable to believe that women fully
enjoy their political rights, even in regimes now
explained. The legal and regulatory frameworks
acknowledging the right of women to
right to participate in public affairs can considered democratic, if half of the world’s
participate in this sphere will be identified.
Examples of violent behavior, already
do so freely and on equal terms. population continue to face difficulties in
exercising their human right to vote, running
recognized by legal systems and certain courts,
will be defined, and recommendations for their
for election, or holding public office.
For the Kofi Annan Foundation, the term One of the recommendations made by the eradication will be described.
“elections with integrity” means elections Global Commission on Elections, Democracy Unfortunately, as women’s access to and
based on the principles of universal suffrage and Security to help nations promote and participation in public decision-making spaces This document raises three
have increased, gender-based violence has
and political equality, among other protect the integrity of elections is that key questions:
principles. Unfortunately, in newer and older governments should build a rule of law system become more prevalent. The violence that
democracies alike, there are still barriers to ensuring that all citizens, including political some women have experienced in politics
equal and universal political participation. opponents and the opposition, have legal sends a powerful message on an individual
level, but also on a collective level, because
1
In many countries, women, minorities and remedies to protect their electoral rights, Why do women face
other population segments find their create institutions, processes and networks that it aims to exclude women from spaces where barriers in exercising
participation in democratic processes discourage violence, and, if deterrence fails, they have gained ground. This situation is their political and
electoral rights?
2
hampered. If elections are to be held with punish perpetrators. unacceptable for any democratic and lawful If violence against
integrity, obstacles must be removed state. Historical gaps in representation must be women in politics is a global
Women make up just over half of the world’s phenomenon with a negative
(Kofi Annan, 2012). closed if we aspire to have consolidated and
population, yet they still have marginal access impact on democracies, why is
democratic states. the problem still not being
Barriers to participation among women, young to public office. For a long time, democracies
adequately addressed by
people, minorities, people with disabilities and “worked” without considering whether
states?
other traditionally marginalized groups should women’s interests, voices and opinions were Administrative and jurisdictional
also be removed, equality rules adopted, and represented. With the advent of women’s electoral institutions, political
affirmative action taken to promote women’s suffrage, affirmative measures (such as quotas parties and governments have a 3
leadership and widespread participation, and reserved seats) and parity, there has been great responsibility to ensure they Do the current models
including the reasonable use of quotas. progress in constructing more egalitarian and are running functional parity of access to justice
truly democratic societies. engage with this issue
Civil society organizations should track democracies where women, like effectively?
government performance in addressing The concept of citizenship has transformed any other population group, can
electoral integrity issues through impartial and over time. The very notion of “political rights” participate in decision-making in
systematic monitoring in accordance with the evolved as a result of tensions between their communities, parliaments and
This paper concludes with recommendations to
following: international principles, measures to liberalism and democracy, and women’s countries without having to suffer
help build political systems with integrity and
prevent electoral violence, media, diversity and citizenship being recognized. However, this gender-based discrimination.
independence monitoring, and measures to parity, where women can access and hold
has not led to equal opportunities regarding
ensure political parties meet citizens’ needs. public office on equal terms and in safe spaces.
female participation in politics. Today, despite
almost unanimous legal recognition of

6 7
 Violence Against Women in Politics kofiannanfoundation.org

I. Equality, inclusion and access to justice The Convention on the Rights of are minorities.
Persons with Disabilities obliges By incorporating the principle of equality into the
states parties to guarantee disabled people political and electoral arena, equal participation
political rights on an equal footing with others schemes can be drawn up. But how can this be

Analyzing electoral integrity from the – both to vote and be elected (UN, 2008). It also
obliges countries to provide the technology and
achieved? The instruments themselves suggest
four alternatives.

perspective of women’s participation materials required for voting and to promote

environments where disabled people can
1. Non-Discrimination:
in public affairs include the following participate in a nation’s affairs without
discrimination. according to the American Convention on
key principles: equality, inclusion and The United Nations Declaration
Human Rights (OAS, 1969), this concept is
understood in two ways: as individuals’ right
access to justice. on the Rights of Indigenous not to suffer discrimination; and as the state’s
Peoples recognizes the right of indigenous obligation to guarantee substantive equality
Equality is no longer an ideological 1. Equality is already recognized in 172 peoples and African communities to self- that avoids discrimination.
principle, but a scheme of rights and rules constitutions around the world. determination and autonomy. It identifies a
based on an acknowledgment that human series of rights relating to indigenous peoples’
beings are diverse.
2. Political rights are increasingly
political, economic, social and legal decision- 2. Affirmative Action:
acknowledged as human rights. note that not all differential treatment
making spheres. These rights must be respected
This idea can be better understood by turning generates discrimination. Doctrine and
3. International treaties recognize that in order to guarantee that these groups can
to the legal expert and academic Luigi Ferrajoli jurisprudence have established rules to identify
there are political rights associated with express their identity. The right to be consulted,
(2012): “The principle of equality is sanctioned when certain compensatory measures are
specific social groups. also stipulated in the International Labour
in all advanced legal systems as a constitutional justifiable and can, therefore, be implemented
Organization’s Indigenous and Tribal Peoples
rule because we are unequal in the sense of without being considered discriminatory: a)
Convention (C169), is worth mentioning, as it
diversity of material and social conditions. In Some significant treaties and conventions with they must involve people in different situations;
establishes the right to self-classification,
short, equality is stipulated because we are relevance in this context: b) they must be based on a specific objective;
whereby individuals may define themselves as
different and unequal: it is needed to protect c) they must be related to the desired
differences and oppose inequalities.”
The Convention on the ethnic communities or not, regardless of the
objective; and, d) they must be proportional to
Elimination of All Forms of language used.
The post-war period showed that democratic the objective for which states are taking
Discrimination Against Women Finally, the International affirmative action to reduce differences among
regimes’ additional priorities require that
different people are adequately included in the
(CEDAW), which obliges states parties to Convention on the Protection social groups.
guarantee women an equal right to vote,
public decision-making process. Hence the of the Rights of All Migrant
participate in policy formulation and
importance of creating constitutions, treaties
and regulatory bodies that recognize equality,
implementation, and join organizations. Workers and Members of Their 3. Collective Rights:
but, above all, suggest how to achieve it, given The Inter-American Convention on the Families recognizes migrants’ right to vote the theory differentiates among three
Prevention, Punishment and Eradication of and to be voted for in their countries of origin as categories of collective rights for the inclusion
that obvious inequalities make this complex.
Violence against Women (Belém do Pará well as being given the means to exercise this of minority groups who, like indigenous
Today, we can argue that there is good reason peoples, have suffered inequalities within their
Convention) requires that women be right. The right to vote in their host countries is
to believe that, while not yet in the “age of societies (Kymlicka, 1996).
recognized as having an equal right to access also recognized, provided that such rights are
inclusion”, this is where we are heading:
public functions in their country and to afforded them under domestic legislation.
participate in public affairs. We have then seen the innovative approach 4. Access to Justice
taken by international human rights treaties, and judging mechanisms as a means of
which consider the inequalities affecting certain restoring rights.
people and social groups, whether or not they

8 9
 Violence Against Women in Politics kofiannanfoundation.org

We have not yet reached the

What else can the Universal age of inclusion, since the dominant
Declaration of Human Rights mean majorities still prevail in decision-making bodies
when it calls for an “effective around the world. Women, indigenous people,
remedy”, but the removal of African communities, migrants and people with
barriers and obstacles that prevent disabilities, to cite a few examples, are under-
access to justice for groups and represented in decision-making due to the
individuals living in inequality? discriminatory systems in place.
In light of this reality, we now have
Alda Facio (2000), an important analyst who
international treaties and public policy
considers law from a gender perspective, has II. Women: political rights and gender mandates
instruments that can solve the problem of
defined this obligation. Effective remedy can
exclusion from exercising political rights. It is
only mean redressing oppressive situations
true that affirmative action has already proved
caused by particular conduct or contributing to
to be effective in resolving discriminatory
eliminating discrimination as a form of gender
relations. This implies that, when coming to a
situations and leveling the playing field. Power relations and gender hierarchies
decision, judges should decide whether the
concrete application of a law will result in the
Recently, however, other types of interventions
in the judicial sphere have become more have resulted in women being
unjustified, differentiated treatment between powerful. Fortunately, judicial bodies in several
countries have taken it upon themselves to
excluded from public office. Gender
men and women due to the gender roles
assigned to each. If so, permitted rethink the law, and, thus, stop its apparent mandates confined them to the
neutrality, which merely reproduces social
compensation mechanisms should be applied.
The Brasilia Regulations Regarding Access to
inequalities. reproductive sphere (domestic and
Justice for Vulnerable People stipulates that all The results are already beginning to show. If
courts and tribunals manage to make their
care work, in sum, work associated
with emotions and femininity), while
judicial systems must be designed to provide
an effective defense for the rights of vulnerable commitment to equality clear, groups and
individuals will have more of an incentive to
people given that the latter face greater
barriers to exercising their rights. Hence, it come forward and ask for their rights to be men occupied the productive sphere
includes recommendations for public bodies
and for those serving in the judicial system, not
protected.
However, justice also needs to become more
(paid work, related to rationality and
only promoting public policies that guarantee approachable for victims and defendants. If it is masculinity) (Carrasco, 2001).
access to justice, but also the daily efforts of all seen as distant, costly or insensitive to
those serving and running the judicial system. inequalities, its ability to restore rights will be
These differences, which are socially constructed rather than natural (Rubin, 1975),
Within this framework, there are proposals that diminished.
have meant less recognition of women’s rights, including political rights, and have
require using a lens of “interculturality” when created significant gaps between men and women in spaces of representation.
reaching a judgment so that a dialogue
The (natural) sexual difference between genders was used to justify excluding women
between statutory law and indigenous systems
from elected office and from performing public tasks. A glass ceiling was built (Heller, 2008)2.
(customary law) can be generated when
It can be defined an invisible barrier that prevents women from accessing political and
considering cases involving indigenous peoples
representative spaces on equal footing.
or individuals. The purpose of these proposals is
to build a multicultural society. 2
Metaphor used to refer to the fact that although there are no established laws, rules or regulations that prevent
women from advancing in their professional careers, there is an invisible ceiling that appears in women’s working
careers and limits their ability to hold the managerial and higher-level positions commonly occupied by men.

10 11
 Violence Against Women in Politics kofiannanfoundation.org

For a long time, the role of women in political parties has been limited to
subordinate positions. Traditionally, they serve in as members in the
lower echelons of the party, galvanizing voters and acting as community
managers.

Generally, they have not participated in decision-making bodies or held the

most important elected positions (Arboleda, 1993) (Barrera & Suárez, 2012) (Massolo, 2007)
(Tello, 2009). So-called “female characteristics” are not regarded as appropriate for
the political and decision-making sphere. Thus, when women enter politics, they have to
make more of an effort to be accepted and “fight” to stay in office.
Indigenous women face no less of a challenge since in indigenous regulatory systems (customs
and practices), machismo and patriarchal structures also prevail. This has created barriers,
To understand the problem, it is worth asking ourselves about the origins of
especially locally, to women’s participation in Community Assemblies and their election as
discrimination against women in public functions. The Mexican anthropologist and feminist
public officials (Alanís, pending publication).
Marcela Lagarde suggests that sexism is based on androcentrism: a viewpoint that considers
men and the masculine to be superior, better, more adequate, more capable and more In many indigenous and African communities, women are not only discriminated against on
useful than women, which is why it is considered legitimate for men to have a monopoly the basis of their sex, but also due to their class, race and social status. Therefore, any analysis
on power, control and violence. The most significant forms of sexism are machismo and of political participation among indigenous peoples and communities must be carried out
misogyny (Lagarde, 2012). from a perspective of intersectionality, which is an analytical gender studies tool that provides
a deeper understanding of the various ways in which gender intersects and combines with
Misogyny is one of the keys to understanding the segregation of women in public life. It is
other identities potentially giving rise to oppressive experiences or privilege.
found in situations where it is accepted as natural for women to be damaged, marginalized
and mistreated and where hostile, aggressive and sexist actions and behaviors towards Internationally, there has been notable progress in formal equality, with legal recognition
women are encouraged. Women are discriminated against and excluded because they are of women’s suffrage and growing female participation in parliament with women becoming
women. “In short, misogyny is a consensual power resource that oppresses women before heads of state, government and local government (Alanís, 2019). However, women’s abilities
they act or express themselves, and even before they exist, just because of their gender” to make decisions in the public arena continues to be questioned and there is still resistance in
(op. cit.). political parties and party systems to nominating women as candidates and to the idea of
women holding office. This limits a women’s human rights to enjoy equal access to their
Today, is it increasingly clear that gender roles are being questioned
country’s decision-making bodies.
around the world. Gender roles refer to the tasks or functions performed in various spaces
and that correspond to gender assignment and their male or female identity. For example, This resistance manifests itself as violence, which for many years was
the disproportionate amount of time women spend on unpaid care work and domestic brushed under the carpet and simply thought of as being natural in politics. Even today,
chores compared with that spent by men on these activities has been revealed. The gender despite the fact that the issue receives more attention and monitoring, mostly because of
gap when it comes to pay, management positions and, of course, political participation has academia and activism, only four countries (Bolivia, Mexico, Argentina and Ecuador) have
also been exposed. The mass mobilization of women around the world annually on 8 March approved legal reforms. However, only the first two countries have regulated behavior, put
for International Women’s Day is proof that these roles are being questioned. From into place sanctions, established procedures, and defined the competent authorities to deal
Argentina to Australia, Canada, Norway, Russia and South Africa, women have taken to the with violence against women in politics, despite the fact that electoral integrity has been
streets en masse to demand their rights and to be considered as equals. strongly affected by the discrimination women face when participating in politics worldwide.

12 13
 Violence Against Women in Politics kofiannanfoundation.org

III. Legal developments in recognizing women’s political rights the concept of violence and states’ obligations Just as importantly, it also obliges states to tackle
about honoring their commitments. More details stereotypes by modifying the social and cultural
are provided in the following section. patterns of men and women’s behavior with a
view to eliminating prejudice and customs as
CONVENTION ON THE
well as all other practices based on supposed
The work of civil society organizations, ELIMINATION OF ALL FORMS
OF DISCRIMINATION AGAINST
inferiority or superiority of either sex or on

academics and feminist activists, as

stereotyped roles for men and women. Finally, it
WOMEN (CEDAW) establishes specific provisions, including political

well as electoral reforms and judicial This instrument defines discrimination against and public life, for representation and equality
before the law.
women as: “any distinction, exclusion or
interpretation, have all contributed restriction made on the basis of sex which has INTER-AMERICAN CONVENTION
to the recognition and exercise of the effect or purpose of impairing or nullifying
the recognition, enjoyment or exercise by
ON THE PREVENTION,
PUNISHMENT, AND ERADICATION
women’s political and electoral rights. women, irrespective of their marital status, on a
basis of equality of men and women, of human OF VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN
This has led to international conventions and has the right of equal access to public service in
rights and fundamental freedoms in the political, (BELÉM DO PARÁ CONVENTION)
economic, social, cultural, civil or any other
treaties that have become landmarks when it their country”. This instrument is relevant because it defines
field” (UN, 1981).
comes to defending these rights. violence against women as any act or conduct,
Governments are obliged to fully honor the
It also sets out special, temporary measures based on gender, which causes death or
The mandate of at least ten international treaties commitments made in international treaties that
aimed at accelerating de facto equality between physical, sexual or psychological harm or
include women’s participation in the political carry the same weight, hierarchically speaking,
men and women that shall be discontinued suffering to women, whether in the public or the
sphere, among them: the Inter-American as national laws. These treaties are fundamental
when the objectives of equality, opportunity and private sphere. It includes physical, sexual and
Convention on the Granting of Political Rights to because they have served as the basis and
treatment have been achieved. These are psychological violence that occurs within the
Women (1948), the Universal Declaration of foundation of pioneering public policies and
objective and reasonable measures with a family or domestic unit, or within any other
Human Rights (1948), the Charter of the rulings. It is, therefore, essential to continue
specific purpose. Some of the obligations this interpersonal relationship, in the community,
Organization of American States (1948), the working from an international perspective with
instrument creates for signatory states are: educational institutions, health facilities or any
American Declaration of the Rights and Duties of treaties, conventions and recommendations that
other place (OAS, Inter-American Convention on
Man (1948), the American Convention on ensure respect for human rights, since these are
• to embody the principle of equality and the Prevention, Punishment, and Eradication of
Human Rights (1969), the International tools used by the defense in cases of violence
ensure its realization in practice; Violence against Women, 1994).
Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (1976), the against women and can be extremely helpful,
Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of especially when considering that only two • to prohibit and punish any discrimination It expressly states that women have the right to
Discrimination against Women (1981), the countries in the world have legislated for gender- against women; live free of violence, which includes the right not
Inter-American Convention on the Prevention, based violence to be eradicated. • to protect women’s rights through the to be discriminated against, to be valued and
Punishment, and Eradication of Violence against courts; educated free of stereotyped patterns of
Of the instruments mentioned above, two are
Women (1994), the Convention on the Political behavior and social and cultural practices based
extremely significant in terms of the importance • to refrain from any discriminatory
Rights of Women (1952) and the Istanbul on concepts of inferiority or subordination, and
and validity of their content: the Convention on practices;
Convention (2014). All of them determine that to freely and fully exercise their civil, political,
the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination
women should have the opportunity to • to eliminate discrimination against economic, social and cultural rights.
against Women (CEDAW) and the Inter-American
participate in public life. Article 21 of the women by any person, organization or
Convention on the Prevention, Punishment, and It establishes the concept of intersectionality,
Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that enterprise;
Eradication of Violence against Women (Belém which is currently a useful way of better
“everyone has the right to take part in the • to modify or abolish existing laws, understanding structural discrimination and
do Pará Convention). Both identify discrimination
government of his country, directly or through regulations, customs and practices which addressing it with transformative measures that
against women and the temporary measures
freely chosen representatives” and “everyone constitute discrimination against women have an impact on the structures that generate
that should be taken to eradicate it and define
(CEDAW, 1981). exclusion.

14 15
 Violence Against Women in Politics kofiannanfoundation.org

“...States Parties shall take special account of the AFRICAN CHARTER ON HUMAN IV. Gender gap size in political representation
vulnerability of women to violence by reason of,
AND PEOPLES’ RIGHTS (BANJUL
among others, their race or ethnic background
or their status as migrants, refugees or displaced CHARTER)
persons. Similar consideration shall be given to This instrument is relevant because it establishes
women subjected to violence while pregnant or that civil and political rights cannot be According to data from the World
who are disabled, of minor age, elderly,
socioeconomically disadvantaged, affected by
dissociated from economic, social and cultural
rights in their conception or universality. It also Economic Forum’s Global Gender
armed conflict or deprived of their freedom”
(Belém do Pará Convention, 1994).
emphasizes the eradication of discrimination
based on race, ethnic group, color, sex,
Gap Report 2020, the Political
COUNCIL OF EUROPE
language, religion, politics or alternative
opinions, national and social origin, fortune, birth
Empowerment subindex continues to
CONVENTION ON PREVENTING or other status (UNHCR, 1981). reflect the greatest gender disparity3,
AND COMBATING VIOLENCE
AGAINST WOMEN AND
Unlike the other treaties, the Banjul Charter
mentions peoples’ rights. For example, it
despite progress being made.
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE (ISTANBUL considers people’s right to existence and self-
determination, to freely determine their political
CONVENTION)
status, to free themselves from the bonds of
After 20 years of the Belém do Pará Convention domination and to be free from foreign
in the Americas, in 2014 the Council of Europe domination, be it political, economic or cultural.
adopted the “Istanbul Convention” to prevent
This self-determination is necessary if people are
and combat violence against women and
to survive. In these spaces women must
domestic violence. Although it does not explicitly
participate in community life. Hence, native
include the issue of political participation, it has The study, which covers 153 countries in East Asia and the Pacific, Eastern Europe and
communities must themselves design
broad scope as it protects all fundamental rights. Central Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, the Middle East and North Africa, North
mechanisms to incorporate women into
The contribution of the Belém do Pará America, South Asia, sub-Saharan Africa and Western Europe, shows that the gap has only
decision-making spaces with the support of
Convention is explicitly recognized: not just in its closed by 25 percent, compared with 96 percent in education and 97 percent in health
governments within a framework that respects
formal content, but also in the recommendations (WEF, 2019).
human rights, but also recognizes their
made by its Committee of Experts, who have autonomy.
suggested consolidating elements such as Figure 1. Gender Gap
In the Americas, Europe and Africa, we find
budgets, accountability and access to justice. Percentage of the gender gap closed to date, 2020
valuable contributions that defend women’s
One important aspect of this Convention is that political rights. These treaties became necessary The Global Gender Gap Index 69%
it considered the problems experienced in the due to an international context of inequality and
Health and Survival subindex 69% 97%
Americas and provided a pioneering definition. widespread violence against women. The under-
Educational Attainment subindex 96%
The instrument emphatically prohibits the use of representation of women in political and
Economic Particpation and
culture, custom, religion, tradition or “honor” as decision-making spaces is shown by the data and Oppportunity subindex
58%

justification for any acts of violence covered by statistics review in the following section.
Political Empowerment subindex 25%

its scope (Council of Europe, 2011). 0 100

Percentage points

Source: World Economic Forum, Global Gender Gap Report 2020.

16 17
 Violence Against Women in Politics kofiannanfoundation.org

Because the same study was carried out in different years, the advances and setbacks in each area Figure 3. Global and Regional Averages of Women in Parliament:
can be compared. The 2020 report shows that overall Political Empowerment scores have 1995 and 1 January 2019
improved, due to a significant increase in the number of women in parliament. In countries such
as Latvia, Spain, Mexico and Thailand, the number of women in parliament has increased 11,3
Promedio mundial: +13
24,3
substantially.
12,7
Data from the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) show that, in 2020, some Americas: +18
30,7

countries have significantly increased the percentage of women in parliament. They include
13,2
Rwanda, Cuba, Bolivia, the United Arab Emirates, Mexico, Nicaragua, Sweden, Grenada, Andorra Europa: +15,3
28,5

and South Africa. Twenty-five years ago, in 1995, the maximum percentage of women in these
9,8
Africa subsahariana: +13,9
representative bodies was 40 percent. Today the maximum is 61 percent (IPU, Mujeres en el 23,7

parlamento: 1995–2020 [Women in Parliament: 1995–2020], 2020). 4,3

Oriente Medioy Africa del Norte: +13,8 18,1

6,3
Figure 2. Ten Countries with the Greatest Female Participation Pacifico: +12,1 18,4

in Unicameral Parliaments 13,2

Asia: +6,4 19,6
1995 2020
Country % women Country % women 0,0 5,0 10,0 20,0 25,0 30,0 35,0

Sweden 40.4 Rwanda 61.3 1995 2019

Norway 39.4 Cuba 53.2
Source: Data from the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU).
Denmark 33.5 Bolivia 53.1
Finland 33.5 United Arab Emirates 50.0
Netherlands 32.7 Mexico 48.2 Despite progress being made, women hold just 25 percent of the world’s 35,127 parliamentary
Seychelles 27.3 Nicaragua 47.3 seats and 21 percent of the world’s 3,343 ministerial positions. In some countries, women are
Austria 26.8 Sweden 47.0
not represented at all. Moreover, in 85 of the 153 countries included in the report, there has
Germany 26.3 Grenada 46.7
never been a female head of state, head of government or president in the last 50 years (WEF,
Iceland 25.4 Andorra 46.4
2019).
Argentina 25.3 South Africa 46.4
One revealing piece of data in the World Economic Forum report is the estimated number of
Source: Data from the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) for unicameral parliaments and lower houses.
years it will take to close the political empowerment gaps. The estimate is 94.5 years at the
current rate if progressive and significant advances continue to be made. So far, no countries
3
The four subindexes are: Health and Survival, Educational Attainment, Economic Participation and
have completely closed this gap. However, Iceland has made the most progress with a 70
Opportunity, and Political Empowerment.
percent gap closure with women involved in the country’s parliament, ministries and at the
head of state level.

There are still some countries whose parliaments do not include women (Vanuatu and Papua New
Guinea), and where increasingly fewer women have senior roles. Just 21 percent of the world’s
3,343 ministers are women, and there are 32 countries where under 10 percent of ministers in
office are women. Belize, Saudi Arabia and Azerbaijan have no female ministers. Other nations
such as Italy, Japan, Mexico, the Netherlands, South Africa, Spain, Sweden and the United States
have never elected a female president or head of state (op. cit.).

18 19
 58” Barbados
United Republic of Tanzania* 26.1
21.7 65 23
23 ” Senegal 21.9 7 32 Haiti Ghana Morocco Liberia Israel Somalia(Islamic Rep. Cameroon of) Rep. Bhutan
a Malaysia 90 Dominican
63 Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic Rep. of) 22.2
27.9 37 / 190
53 167 —
9.4 — 3 //32 — 88

Women in Politics: 2020

” Burundi 26.1 63 23 a Benin

Women in Politics: 2020

86 Cabo Verde 21.4 14 84 North Macedonia 21.7 5 23 Colombia
Togo Nauru Kiribati

Women in Politics: 2020

Dominican Republic Côte d’Ivoire 91 Slovenia
64 Romania 21.9
27.8 72
25 // 329 90 14.7
10.0 20 4 / 40 136 ”
Ghana

Women in Women in par

”” Gabon 26.1 6 23 Somalia

Women in Politics: 2020

Women in Women in Women in parliament
Kuwait 21.4 3 14 ” United Republic of Tanzania* 21.7 5 23 Kenya

Women in parliament
Malaysia 92
65 Kenya
Lao People’s Dem. Republic 21.8
27.5 76
41 / 349
149 30.9
— —21 / 68
— 90

Women in Politics: 2020

” Kenya
88 Congo 26.1
21.2 67 23
33 Maldives Nauru
WomenWomen in parliament
86 Cabo Verde 21.4 3 14 Togo Democratic 42 Kiribati
Women in in parliament
Equatorial Guinea Algeria Côte d’Ivoire Nepal Papua New Guinea 93 Kazakhstan
66 Bosnia and Herzegovina 21.4
27.1 299 / 107 20.0
10.6 53 / 4715 91
62 Chad
89 Botswana 25.9
21.1 7 4 27
19 ” Kuwait 21.4 3 Mexico
14 Libya Pakistan Kenya 94 Afghanistan
67 Seychelles 21.2
27.0 677 / 248 33 —
27.9 —
19 / 68 — 92
” Maldives
90 Benin 25.9
20.8 75 27
24 88 Congo 21.2 7 33 Maldives
Sao Tome and Principe Republic of Egypt Equatorial Guinea Papua New Guinea 68 ” Bulgaria
Uruguay 21.2
26.7 21//240
64 99 29.0
— — 9 // 31— 93

ministerial positions
64” Belgium 25.0 35 12 Ecuador Democratic
ministerial positions
Zimbabwe 20.8 24 89 Botswana 21.1 4 19

erial positions
Western Sahara The countries are ranked and colour-coded according to the percentage 96” Viet Honduras Nam 21.1 The132
26.7 countries
27 // 128 are—ranked— and colour-coded 94 a

ministerial positions
” Bolivia Uganda Lao People’s Dem. Republic The countries are ranked and colour-codedThe according to the percentage 494 /—
92 Central(Plurinational
African Republic* State of) 25.0
20.0 57 20
35 90 Benin 20.8 5 24 the Congo Kuwait of women in unicameral parliaments or the lower house of parliament, 97countriesEquatorial areGuinearanked and colour-coded 21.0 according 21 / 329 100tointhe percentage
16.7 12 72
”” Ghana 25.0 54 20 Ecuador Gabon Sao Tome and Principe Republic of The countries
reflecting elections/appointments up toare ranked
1 January 2020. and colour-coded Tuvalu according
of women in to unicameral
the percentage parliaments or the of
70
lower
Iraq
house of parliament,
26.4 87
of women —
unicameral — /—
parliaments or the ” l
”” Mali
Croatia 20.0
25.0 95
20
36
” Zimbabwe 20.8 5 24 Seychelles
Bahrain India Singapore Uganda Viet Nam 98
71women Bangladesh
Djibouti in unicameral parliaments or the
20.9
26.2 lower 73
17 /house
/ 349
65 of parliament,
— — / — 96
Mauritania 20.0 25 The countries are ranked according to the percentage of women in
United Rep. Myanmar of womenLower orin unicameral parliaments or the lower house of parliament, reflecting elections/appointments 97up
Rwanda the Congo
92 Central African Republic* 20.0 7 35 Saudi Rank Country single house Upper house or Senate
reflecting elections/appointments up 72 ” 1 January
to Ireland 2020.
Algeria 20.9
25.8 33 / 158 31.7
6.8 919/ /132 60
”” PalauMonaco 25.0
20.0 The countries21 85 ministerial positions, reflecting appointments up to 1 January 2020. Cabo Verde Congo Gabon Thailand % Women Women/Seats % Women Women/Seats reflecting elections/appointments Tuvalu up to119 1 January 462 2020.
ed according to the percentage of women in 20 to are
24.9%ranked ” Croatia
according to the percentage of women in 20.0 4 20
Saint Kitts and Nevis of Tanzania Qatar Seychelles Singapore reflecting elections/appointments
50 to 65% up to 1 January 2020. 100
73 Cabo Ukraine Verde 20.8
25.0 88
18 // 423
72 — —/— 98
The”countriesSudan are ranked according to the percentage 20.0 of 4 women in 20 ” Mauritania Rank 20.0
Country 5 % 25
Women Women Total ministers ‡ Arabia BurundiArab United Rep.Indonesia Cambodia
1 Rwanda 61.3 49 / 80 38.5 10 / 26 Rank Country Lower or 101
single”Country Greece Upper house or Senate
Turkmenistan
house 20.7
25.0
Rank
or single62
Country
31 300 Upper—house or Senate
/ 124 —/—
Lower or sin
” W
flecting appointments up 69 Egypt
to 1 January 2020. reflecting appointments 24.2 ministerial158 to positions,
19.9%33 reflecting appointments ” upMonaco
to 1 January 2020. 20.0 Pacific Ocean
1 5 60 to 69.9% Brazil Antigua and Barbuda Congo United Rwanda 2 Cuba 53.2 322 / 605 — —/— Rank
” Slovakia
Lower
20.7 Women/Seats
house
31 / 150 % Women — to — / — % Women
ministerial
70 Togo positions, 24.0 up to 1 January
6 2020. 25 1 Spain°
Belize 66.7 10 15 Mauritania of Tanzania
Rankof) Country
3 Bolivia (Plurinational State 53.1 69 / 130 47.2 (1)
17 / 36 Lower or single house Upper house or Senate % Women Women/Seats % Women Women/Seats % Women 20 24.9%
Women/Seats 100
97 Serbia 19.0 4 21
Situation on 1 January 2020 Philippines
Timor-Leste 103 Morocco 50 to 65% 20.5 11.7
4 United Arab Emirates 50.0 — 81 / 2975 395 14
” Sudan 20.0
2 Finland 4 20
61.1 11 18
Brazil Mali Emirates Burundi Indonesia
20 / 40 —/—
% Women Women/Seats % Women Women/Seats 75 China 24.9 742 50 — to 65% — // 120 — 61.3 101
% WomenRank 98
71 Jamaica
Malaysia 23.5
18.5RankWomen 45
Country 17
27 ‡ % Women Women Total ministers ‡
15 to 19.9% 50 to 59.9%
Pacific Ocean Dominica Niger Sudanc
40 to 49.9%
Solomon
1 Rwanda Islands 50 to 65% 61.3 1 104
49 / 80 Indonesia 38.5 10 / 26 20.3 149117 Rwanda
80// 217
575 38.5—
3 Nicaragua* Guatemala ”Rwanda Tunisia 61.324.9 2 54 /Cuba 10 /— 26/ — 53.2 ” 3
Women Total ministers ‡ 5 Mexico 48.2 241 / 500 49.2 63 / 128
””Country
Slovenia
Somalia*
% Women 23.5
18.5 45 Total ministers
17
27 97 60
Serbia to 69.9% 4 19.0
Colombia 4
58.8
21
57.9
10
11
17
19
Saint Lucia Angola Oman Bangladesh 6 Nicaragua
1 47.3
Rwanda 43 / 91 — —/—
61.3 2 49 Cuba
/ 80 38.5
Timor-Leste (1)
10 / 26 53.2 322 ”
2 77Cuba / Mauritania
605 —
Republic of Moldova — / — 20.3
53.224.8 322 31
25 / 153
605101 (Plurinational
/Bolivia — — — / —
— / — of) (1) 53.1 103 6
”60Venezuela
to 69.9%
‡ 47.0 Micronesia
66.7 1 100 Timor-Leste* (Bolivarian Republic of) 18.2 1 60
23.5 82to 69.9%
Spain° 34
11 66.7 98 Malaysia 10 15 5 Austria°
18.5 Honduras
5 57.1
27 8 14
Peru Yemen 7 Sweden
2 Cuba
164 / 349 — —/—
53.2 3322Bolivia
/ 605 (Plurinational
— State/ —of) 53.1 106
3 69 / 130 Pakistan 47.2 17 / 36of) (1) Solomon 20.2 369Islands 69 342 47.224.1 19.2 17State 20 36// 104
— 78Bolivia Somalia (Plurinational State 53.124.4 /67130 / 275 /13 54 50.0 104

Situation
1 Januaryon 1 January 2020Indian Ocean
10 Fiji 15 66.723.1 2 10 15 Chad
8 Grenada 46.7 7 / 15 30.8 4 / 13
Samoa 4 United Arab Emirates
74 Spain° 3 13 6 Peru 55.0 11 20
Saint Vincent Angola Jordan

Situation onSituation
1 Januaryon 1 Januaryon
2020
Finland 61.1 11 18

Situation 2020
61.1 2 101 Eritrea* 18 17.6 3 17 ” Somalia* 18.5 9 Andorra
3 Bolivia 46.4
(Fed. 13 / 28
(Plurinational
184States
—
of)State— /
21 /of)
—
53.1 4 69 United
/ 130 Arab 47.2Emirates 50.0 4 107
20 / 40 Barbados Arab—Emirates —/— 20.0 20 34 / 640/ 30 —42.9 9— // 21 ”
El 52Salvador53.6 27 17 / 36 79United Lithuania 50.024.1 —
(1)
11 Latvia 7 Sweden 54.5 12 22
Zambia 141 — /— —
””Finland 61.123.1 11 3 18 13 Senegal Peru
10 South Africa 46.3 / 397(2)
38.9 54

2020
Romania
50 to 59.9% 17.6 3 17 100 50 to
Timor-Leste* 59.9% 8 Rwanda
18.2 11 15 28
and the Grenadines Burkina Eritrea Palau12 Costa Rica
11 Finland 4 United
46.0 Arab92 / Emirates
200 — — / — 50.0 20 / 40 — — / — 80” Cambodia
Singapore 40 to 49.9% 20.0
24.0 5 14
25
24
Mexico/ 125
100 16.1
—
40 to 49.9% —10 / 62
— 48.2
106
17.6 3 50 53to 59.9% 70 49.2— Samoa 2
9 Albania 53.3 8 15
76” 10 Argentina* 22.7 Nicaragua* 22 58.8101 Eritrea* 10 17 Grenada ”Mexico Mauritius 20.0 241
58.8 3 77 Suriname 17
Nicaragua* 58.822.2 4 10 17 9
17 17.6
10 France
Nicaragua
3 17
52.9 9 17
Bolivia Trinidad and Tobago Gambia (The) Faso Zambia
45.6 26 / 57 — —/—
5 Mexico 40 Marshall Islands
to 49.9% 48.2 5 241
81 / 500Armenia 49.2 63 / 128 48.2 23.5 31
/ /
500 /132 63 / — 128 / — 107
20.0 643101 Nicaragua 47.3
13 Spain 44.0 154 / 350 39.0 103 / 264
Bosnia and Republic
Herzegovina 28
Colombia 57.9 ” Romania 11 19 11 Andorra 50.0 6 12
Djibouti 6241Nicaragua 47.3 43”Nicaragua
/ 91 Saint Kitts — andofNevis — / — (6) 391// 15
57.9 4 104 11 Democratic
”Colombia 19 of the Congo 17.4
57.922.2 5 11
46
19 18
17.6 3 17 14 Senegal 5 Mexico 43.0 71 / 165 — —/— 48.2 / 500 49.2 63 / 128 6 82 United States America 47.3 23.4 / 431
7 Sweden 15 to 19.9% 47.0 — 25.0 — 25
/ — / 100 ”
Indian Ocean 1
” Canada 50.0 18 36
Gambia (The) 44
Austria° 57.1 ” Suriname 8 14 17.6 Rica* Costa Rica 50.0 (Plurinational Guinea-Bissau Zimbabwe 15 Namibia 42.7 41 / 96 19.0 8 / 42
7 43Sweden 47.0 Israel —
(3)

57.1 5 ””Austria° Dominican

8 Liberia 14Republic 17.4 23 ” Costa 3 17 12 24
Venezuela Barbados Nigeria 6 Nicaragua 47.3 / 91 — —/— 7164 / 349
83Sweden —/— 47.023.3 164 28 / 120
/Grenada
349 —— — /— —/ — ”
57.122.2 6 8Peru 44 14 18 55.0104 Democratic11 20 of the Congo ” Guinea-Bissau 50.0 8 16 Bolivia South Comoros
16 Switzerland
7 Sweden
41.5 83 / 200 26.1 12 / 46
47.0 8164Grenada — 46.7 8 1117”Grenada Saudi Arabia
/ 15Lesotho 30.8 4 / 13 19.9 8 7 /28 30 151 30.821.9 — 4 /— 7 //32 — 46.7 ”
55.0 6 ””Peru Poland 20
11 Micronesia (Federated States of)*
17.4
55.022.2 7 11 2 20 9
23 Republic 17.4 8
Panama 46 40 to 49.9% State
(Bolivarian of) Guinea 17 Norway 41.4 70 / 169
103 / 250 Vanuatu
— —/— / 349 —/— 46.723.3 9 15/ 120
Andorra 13 46.4
54.5 7 ””Sweden United States
12 Montenegro 22 of America* 17.4 Sweden4 23 54.5 12
” Dominican Republic 22 17.4 Africa*
15 South 4 23
48.3 14 29
Guyana (Plurinational Namibia Sudan c
Ethiopia Zimbabwe Sri Lanka Brunei
18 Mozambique
8 Grenada 41.2 — —/—
46.7 9 Andorra
7 / 15 30.8 4 / 13 46.4 112
13 /
9 85Andorra 28Cyprus
Malawi — — / — 19.6
46.422.9 1013 44 11 / 56
28/ 192Africa
/South — (2) — —/— — / —
46.3 1
53.6 8 108 Sierra Leone
54.522.2 8 12
17.2 45
Rwanda 22 18
29 53.6 ” Poland 15 28 16 Ethiopia
17.4 4
47.6
23
10 21
Republic of) Sierra Leone Mauritius Comoros
19 Argentina
9 Andorra
40.9 105 / 257 40.3 29 / 72
46.4 10 13South/ 28 Africa —(2) —/— 46.3 10184 86”South
/ 397Fiji Africa
Guinea 38.9 21 / 54 19.6 184 26
46.322.8 /10 //114
51 38.9— 21 /— 54/ — 111
15 Cuba
82Rwanda 28 53.621.9 9 15 74
Albania 28 32 53.3 ” United 8 States of15America*
17 El Salvador* 47.1 8 17
Suriname State of) Greenland Central African Darussalam
20 New Zealand
21 Belgium
10
40.8
40.7
South
49 / 120
61 / 150
Africa
—
45.0
—/—
27 / 60
46.3 11 184 Finland
/ 397 38.9 21 / 54 46.0 114
92
87 / 200Croatia —
Chile
(2)
Vanuatu — / — 19.2 11
22.6 29
397
Finland 151 —23.3 — — — 46.0
112
9
53.3 9 109 Israel 16.7 24 35 / 155 10 / 43
(2)
17.4
18 Georgia 4 23
45.5 5 11 (Denmark) Malawi
Namibia 11 Finland 46.0 92 / 200 — / —
8
””Albania
Senegal 15 53.321.9 10 8France 72 15 32 52.9108 Sierra 9 Leone 17 ” Seychelles 45.5 5 11 Liberia Cameroon Rep. Botswana Mauritius
22 Belarus
11 Finland
40.0 44 / 110 25.0 15 / 60
46.0 1292FijiCosta
/ 200 Rica — 45.6 12 26 ”Costa
/ 57 Kyrgyzstan
Rica — —/— 19.2 1226 45 Costa
23 120Rica—14.8
57/ 200 — — /— —/ 81 — 45.6
”
52.9 10 84
50.0 11 ””Andorra
Samoa* 17
9 North
France
6 Singapore
Macedonia 52.9
16.7
21.7 9
16.7 11 Andorra 53 17
12
23
18 50.0109 Israel 6 12
17.2
20 Netherlands
16.7
5
4
29
44.4
24
8 18 Paraguay
Colombia Atlantic Ocean Benin Mozambique
” North Macedonia
” Portugal
40.0
40.0
12 Costa Rica
48 / 120
92 /230
—
—
—/—
— / —
45.6 13 26Spain/ 57 —
—/—
—/— 44.0 13154
88
116 / 350
”Spain
Czechia
Guatemala
Panama 39.0 103 / 264
45.622.5 13
19.0 154 30
44.022.5
/Spain
/16 350// 158
71 39.0— 103 /—
12
264/—
44.0
114
1
12 50.021.7 ” 6Canada 12 23
21 Mozambique° 42.9 9 21
Ghana Somalia Botswana Malawi 35 to 39.9%
Fiji14 Senegal 43.0
” 18 United
United Republic
Arab of Tanzania*
36 Emirates 16.7 54 24 50.0 ” Samoa* 18 36 ” Norway 42.9 9 21
Malaysia 13 Spain 44.0 14154Senegal
/ 350 39.0 103 / 264 43.0 14 71 90”Senegal
/ 165 Tajikistan
Venezuela — (Bolivarian —/— Rep. of) 43.022.2 19.0 71 /3712 //16763 (3)—21.9 — — /— 7— // 32
— ”
16.7 2 12 Paraguay Atlantic Ocean 25 Denmark 39.7 — 165
71 / 179 —/—
50.0 ” 86 Canada 50.021.4 ” 18 36 14 ” Switzerland 42.9 3 7
Madagascar 15 Namibia 42.7
50.0 ” 113
Cabo
Japan
12 Kuwait
Verde 15.8 3
Costa 3 Rica* 19 50.0 ” Singapore12 24 24 16.7
Portugal 3 18
42.1 8 19 Togo Côte d’Ivoire Iceland Norway Eswatini Mozambique 26 France
14 39.5
Senegal 228 / 577 33.3
Nauru
116 / 348
43.0 15 71 Namibia
/ 165 (3)
— Kiribati
— / — 42.7 118
41
91
15 Namibia / 96Togo
Romania (3) 19.0 8 / 42 42.7 18.7
21.9 17
72
1641 /31 96/ / 91
329 19.0 —
14.7 20—
8 / 42 // —
136 116
””Costa Rica* 24 50.021.4 ” 12 33 24 14 27 Ecuador 39.4 54 / 137 — —/—
16 Switzerland 41.5 119 Colombia 26.1 18.3 Switzerland
169 21.7 23 / 106 41.5 8
Morocco
50.0 ” 88Guinea-Bissau
8 Congo 16 15.8 Guinea-Bissau 19 50.0 ” 8
United Arab 16
Emirates
25 Grenada*
16.7 4
41.7
24
5 12
Kenya Maldives 28 Austria 15 Namibia
39.3 (3)
72 / 183 37.7 23 / 61 42.7 41 / 96 19.0 8 / 42 16 83
92 / 200Kenya
Switzerland 12 / 46 41.5 21.8 83 /76200 / 349 26.1 30.9 12 /21 46 / 68 ”
Madagascar Australia Papua 17.6 17 Norway 41.4
50.021.2 8 7 16 33 26 Angola 40.0 12 30 Sweden 29 Ethiopia 38.8 212 / 547 32.0 49 / 153
115 South Sudan* 15.6 5 32 40 to 49.9% Latvia Eswatini New 16 Switzerland
Guinea 41.5 1783 Norway
/ 200 26.1
Tonga 12 / 46 41.4 17 120
70
93 / 169
Norway Dem. People’s
Bosnia — Herzegovina
and Rep.— of /— Korea 41.421.4 1219 / /42687 —20.0 — — 3 //15— 118
40Botswana
to 49.9% 113 Japan 15.8
” Germany 3 19
40.0 6 15
Equatorial Guinea Democratic 30 Timor-Leste 38.5 25 / 65 — — / —
17.5 18
70 / 169
Mozambique — / — 41.2 1
15.4 15 40 42toAfrica*
49.9%
89 21.1 19 Estonia Russian Federation 121 Jamaica—
48.3 15 116 Antigua and Barbuda* South 13 48.3 ” Morocco 14 29 ” Guyana
15.8 3
40.0
19
8 20 Canada Lithuania
Lesotho 31 Dominica 17 Norway 38.1 8 / 21 — —/— 41.4 1870 Mozambique
/ 169 — —/— 41.2 18103 / 250
94Mozambique
Seychelles —/— 41.221.2 103 /11 7250 //33 63 —23.8 — — /— 5— // 21
— 119
(4)

14 Benin Africa*29 17.3 19 Argentina 40.9 1

/ 250 Australia
” Iceland 40.0 4 10
90South 48.320.8 16 14 52
Ethiopia 29 24 47.6115 South 10 Sudan* 21 Sao Tome and Principe Belarus Liechtenstein ” Iceland 38.1
18 Mozambique 24 / 63 — —/—
41.2 19103Argentina — —/— 40.9 19105 122 / 257Mongolia
”Argentina
Uruguay 40.3 29 / 72 40.921.2 105 /2113 257 75 40.329.0
/ Tonga
99 — 29 /— 972//31 — 120
47.6 16 ””Ethiopia Cyprus 21
10 Zimbabwe 15.4
47.620.8 17 10 21
13 15.6
” Liechtenstein 5 32
40.0 2 5
Ecuador Greenland Republic
South of 33 Serbia 37.7 93 / 247 — —/— 20 New Zealand— 40.8 4
47.1 17 92 ” 8 Hungary 17 15.4 5
El Salvador*
2 24
13 47.1116 Antigua 8 and Barbuda*17 15.4
31 Ecuador 2 13
37.9
35
11
to 39.9%
29
Greenland Greenland Czechia Finland Austria
Uganda Lesotho 34 United Republic of 19 Argentina
Tanzania 36.9 145 / 393 — — / — 40.9 20 New
105 / 257 Zealand 40.3 29 / 72 40.8 49 ”
20 96New / 120Republic
Honduras
Zealand — of Korea — / — 17.3
40.821.1 21 51
49 /27 /
120128
Belgium
295 — —/— — / —
40.7
121
El Salvador*
Central African Republic* 47.120.0 18 8Georgia 72 17 35 Greenland the Congo Slovakia 35 Burundi
20 New 36.4
35.7Zealand
44 / 121 46.2 18 / 39
40.8 2149 Belgium
/ 120 — —/— 40.7 21 61 97”Belgium
/ 150 Turkey 45.0Guinea27 / 60
Equatorial 17.3 61 102
40.721.0 //100589 45.016.7 — 27 /— — 122
45.5 18 ””Georgia Saint Lucia*
5 Croatia 11 15.4 13 45.5 ” Cyprus 5 11 15.4
32 Bulgaria 2 13
36.8 7 19
(Denmark) (Denmark) Africa 36 Italy 225 / 630 34.4 110 / 320
Tuvalu 22 /21150
Belarus 12 60/ 72 40.0
45.5 ” 120 Algeria*° 11
45.520.0 ” 5Seychelles
15.2 45 11 20
33 45.5 ” Hungary 5 11 33 Ukraine
15.4 2
35.3
13
6 17 (Denmark) Gabon Slovenia
SeychellesSouth Singapore 21 Belgium 30 to 34.9% 40.7 2261 Belarus/ 150 45.0 27 / 60 40.0 22 44 125 / 110
98Belarus Niger 25.0
Bangladesh 15 / 60 17.0 44 /73
40.020.9 29 110 // 349
171 25.0— 15 /— 60/ — ”
5 Mauritania
”Seychelles 45.520.0 20 5Netherlands5 to 14.9% 11 25 34 Mexico 35.0 7 20
(Denmark) Uruguay United Kingdom Ukraine
United Rep. 37 Uganda
22 Belarus 34.9 160 / 459 — —/—
40.0 ” 44 North
/ 110 Macedonia 25.0 40.0 126
” 48 / 120 Azerbaijan — —/— 16.8 ”48 /33 North
20 119Macedonia
/ 158 — — /— —/ 60 — 40.0 4
44.4 20 ”Netherlands
8 Monaco 18 10
44.420.0 21 8Mozambique° 18 5
44.4 ” Saint 8 Lucia* 18 15.4 2 13 30 to 34.9%
Hungary Rwanda Africa 38 Guyana 34.8 24 / 69 — —/— 15 / 60 ”North Ireland Macedonia 40.020.9 ” 28 120
Portugal —31.7 19 40.0 ”
42.9 21 121 9 Cameroon* 21 14.9 17 47 42.9 120 Algeria*° 9 21 35 Chile*
15.2
” Honduras* 5
33.3
33
33.3
8
7
24
21
Netherlands Congo Denmark
of
Croatia Tanzania
39 United Kingdom ” North
33.8 Macedonia
220 / 650 27.2 216 / 795 40.0 ” 48 Portugal
/ 120 — — / — 40.0 ” 92
100” /230 Zambia
Ukraine
Portugal — — / — 40.0 16.8
20.8 92 88
/230 / 167
423 — — — /— — / — 125
Mozambique°
” Sudan 42.9 20.0 9 44 21 20 Ireland Uruguay
40 El Salvador
” Portugal33.3 28 / 84 — —/—
40.0 92 /230 — —/— 128 Greece
101 Saint Lucia 35 to 39.9% 16.7
20.7 623 / 300 18 35 27.3 —
to 39.9% — 3 // 11— 126
42.9 ” 122 9 Namibia 21 14.8 ” Norway 27 42.9 9 21 ” Italy 10 to 14.9% 33.3 7 21
Brazil Burundi Indonesia ” Monaco 33.3 8 / 24 — —/—
16.3 25 Denmark 39.7
42.9 ” 123 97
Norway
Burkina Faso
3 Serbia
Switzerland 7
42.9 9 15 to 19.9%
14.3 ” Switzerland
42.919.0 24 3Portugal 4
4
21
28
7 21
42.9121 Cameroon* 3 7 Pacific Ocean
” Republic of Korea
14.9Tome and Principe
” Sao 7
33.3
47
33.3
6
4
18
12
Belgium Poland
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Rep. of Moldova Kazakhstan
” Netherlands
43 Nepal
33.3
32.7
50 / 150
90 / 275
38.7
37.3
29 / 75
22 / 59
25 Denmark 35 to 39.9%
26 France
39.7 25 71
39.5
129
130
228
/ 179
”Denmark
/
Paraguay
Slovakia
Thailand
577
—
33.3
—/—
116 / 348
39.720.7
16.2 2671 /3113
179
France
//15080
500
—20.0 —
10.4
— /—
26
9— //45—
250 39.5
”
2
” 8 Estonia 19 14.3 2 14 42.1 122 Namibia 8 19 ” 14.8
Trinidad and 4
Tobago 27
33.3 7 21 Argentina Luxembourg Iceland Norway Timor-Leste 25 Denmark 39.7 71 / 179 — — / — 26 103 France Morocco 39.5 20.5 228 81
/ /
577 395 33.3 11.7 116 /14 /
348 120 128
42.1 24 98 Iceland Norway Germany Romania 44 Uzbekistan 32.0 48 / 150 17.0 17 / 100
Solomon Islands 27 Ecuador 39.4 5
”
Portugal
41.7 25 ”Grenada*
40.0 26 100
5
Malaysia
Indonesia
” 12 Somalia*
Nauru
12
30
42.1 18.5
14.3 25 8
41.718.5 26 5Angola
14.3
55
Grenada*
51
19 27
35
12 27
7
41.7 123
40.0 ” Estonia
5
Burkina
12
Faso 12
30
” Uganda
14.3
” Uruguay
14.3
43 Zambia
4
2
33.3
28
33.3
14
32.3
10
5
10
30
15
31
Chile
Peru
Iceland Norway
Sweden Argentina
Iceland Norway
San Marino
Sweden
Angola Sweden
Serbia
Montenegro
About this map
Georgia
Armenia
Latvia
Mongolia
45 Zimbabwe
46 San Marino
47 Suriname
26 France
27 Ecuador
31.9
31.7
31.4
86 / 270
19 / 60
16 / 51
43.8
—
—
35
—/—
—/—
/ 80 39.5 27228Ecuador
39.4 2854 Austria
/ 577
/ 137
33.3
—
116 / 348
—/—
39.4 2754
39.3 2872
131
104
132
/ 137
Ecuador
/ 183
”Austria
Libya —
Indonesia
Madagascar
Mauritania 37.7
—/—
23 / 61
39.4 16.0 54 117
20.3
15.9 28
39.320.3 29
/30
24
72 /31
137
Austria
183
// 188
575 —
151 37.719.4
/ 153
Ethiopia
—
—
—
23 /—
/—
12
— /
61/ —
—
62 39.3
38.8
129
130
2
7

About this map

Angola 40.018.2 ” 12 30 11 France 28 Austria 39.3 2972 Ethiopia 37.7 38.8 29212 133
106 / 547Russian32.0
Pakistan Federation 49 / 153 15.8 212 69 71 450 32.019.2 17.1 49 /20 29 170 131
1276 Timor-Leste*
Jordan 15 13.8 24
Germany 29 40.0 ” Indonesia 6 15 44 Denmark
14.3 5
31.6
35
6 19
Chile Latviathe percentage of women in unicameral Latvia Azerbaijan 48 Germany 31.2 221 / 709 36.2 25 / 69 / 183 23 / 61 Ethiopia 38.820.2 30
/ 342
/Timor-Leste
547 153 / 104
38.5
40.0 ” 101 Germany
Eritrea* 40.0 17.6 6 32 15 17
” Eswatini 31.6 6 19 Sweden Switzerland
Latvia The colour coding of the countries reflects Estonia parliaments or in the lower house of parliament,
Lithuania and corresponds to the data found in the world Russian Federation
49 Cameroon
50 Trinidad and Tobago 29
31.1
Ethiopia
56 / 180 26.0 26 / 100
38.8 30212Timor-Leste
/ 547 32.0 Samoa
49 / 153 38.5 30 107 134 Chad
25Timor-Leste
/ 65 Barbados — —/— 15.4 25
38.520.0 3125 /Dominica 665 30/ 162 —
—42.9 — / 9— — /
/ 21— 132
40.0 ” 128 Guatemala20
8 Romania
”Guyana
13.3 ” Guyana
40.017.6 ” 8Iceland
15
20 17
40.0 ” Nauru 8 20
Canada 14.3
” Lebanon 1 7
31.6 6 19
Canada Estonia Estonia Lithuania ZambiaBulgaria Lithuania Russian is on Federation
the left-hand side of the map. Russian Federation Japan
31.0 13 / 42 38.7 12 / 31
31 25Dominica 38.1 31 8”Dominica Jordan(4)—
/ 21Cambodia —/— 15.4 20 130 —16.1
(4)
15.4 — /10 65 38.1
40.0 ” ””Iceland Syrian Arab 10 Republic 13.3 34 30 40.0127 Jordan 4 10 ” Panama
13.8 4
31.6
29
6 19
Canada United States of America Estonia Italy ranking of women in parliament on the right-hand side of the map. A world ranking
RussianThe
ofUzbekistan
women in ministerial positions
Federation
51 Australia 30 Timor-Leste
30.5 46 / 151 48.7 37 / 76 38.5 / 65 (4)
— —/— 38.120.0 8 /2521/ 125 —/ 62 133
4 Suriname 40.017.6 ” 4Liechtenstein
3 10 17 Canada 48 Dominica 31.3 5 16
Belarus Lithuania
Monaco Liechtenstein Belarus
North Macedonia colour coding of the countries reflectsLiechtenstein Indian Ocean
the percentage of women in unicameral parliaments or in the Dem. lowerPeople’s
house Rep.
ofofparliament,
Korea and corresponds to the data found52” inAngola the world 31 Dominica 30.0 66
(4)/ 220 — —/—
38.1 ” 8 Iceland
/ 21 — — / — 38.1 ” 136
24” / 63
IcelandEgypt —
Mauritius — / — 38.1 15.1 ”24 90
20.0 /
Iceland
14 63 // 596
70 — — — /— — / —
38.1
134
40.0 ” 104 1302 Djibouti 5 13.0 3 23 40.0 128 Guatemala 2 5 49 13.3
United Kingdom 2 15
30.4 7 23
Bolivia All data reflects Belarus
the situation on 1 January 2020. As the source of the data presented Liechtenstein
here, Inter-Parliamentary Union is responsible for the criteria applied in displaying the information.
Kyrgyzstan Latvia 30.0 30 / 100 — — / —
137 Bahrain 15.0 33 Serbia 37.7 9
131
Liechtenstein
Democratic
Russian Republic of the Congo 40.017.4
Federation 12.9
2 8
4
5 46
31 35 to Arab39.9%
50 Madagascar 30.0 6 20
Belarus SanLiechtenstein
Marino ranking of women Finland in parliamentTajikistan Austria side of the map. A world ranking of women in ministerial
on the right-hand Republic of Korea is on the left-hand side of the map.
positions ” Luxembourg ” Iceland 30.0 18 / 60 — —/— 38.1 33 24Serbia
/ 63 — —/— 37.7 3393 / 247
”Serbia Saint — and Nevis
Kitts —/— 37.720.0 36 / 15
93 / United
247 40 —22.5 of — / 9— / 40 ”
”35Dominican
to 39.9% ” Syrian Republic 13.3Zealand
” New 4 30
30.0 6 20
(Plurinational Finland employed Spain Austria Finland Czechia
Albania Austria Turkmenistan ” Peru
33 Serbia
30.0 (5)
39 / 130 — —/—
37.7 3493 United
/ 247 Republic — of Tanzania 36.9 34145United / 393 Republic — of Tanzania —/— 34 Republic
—15 10 to— Tanzania
14.9%
19.9% 36.9
136
1
37.9 31 132 Côte d’Ivoire* Republic 12.8 31 35
17.4 46to 39.9%
Ecuador 23
47 37.9130 Djibouti 11 29 13.0 3 23 Czechia Austria The designations Czechia and the presentation of material onZimbabwe
this map do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of UN Women or of the
Slovakia 25 to 29.9% —/— 36.9 145 /Burundi
35 393 /— 36.4 137 4
25 to 29.9% Turkey
11 29 Finland Slovakia Greece All data reflects the situation on 1 January
Jammu and 2020.
Kashmir* As the source of the data presented here, Inter-Parliamentary Union is responsible for the criteria applied in displaying the information. 138 Bhutan 14.9 44 /30
”EcuadorPoland 37.917.4 32 11 45
Bulgaria 29 23 36.8131 Russian 7 19 52 Luxembourg 29.4 5 17
State of) Czechia Inter-Parliamentary Union concerning the legal status of any country, territory,Slovakia city or area or of its authorities, or concerning Comoros the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries.
56 Montenegro 34 United 29.6 Republic of—
24 / 81 Tanzania— / — 36.9 35145Burundi / 393 — —/— 36.4 3544 / 121
111Burundi Saudi 46.2
Arabia 18 / 39 36.419.9 7 / 151
121 47 46.216.0
— 18 /— 439// 25
—
36.8 32 ””Bulgaria Niger
7 United 19 of America*
States
12.8
36.817.4 33 7Ukraine 43
39
19 23
Federation 12.9
” Paraguay 4 31
29.4 5 17
Bahamas Slovakia
Andorra
The designations employed and the Slovenia
presentation of material China
on this map do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of UN Women or of the
57 Albania
35 Burundi
29.5 36 / 122
Vanuatu
— —/—
36.4 3644 Italy / 121 46.2 18 / 39 35.7 36225 139 / 630
112Italy Gabon 34.4
Cyprus 110 / 320 14.8 36
35.719.6 225 21
Italy
/11 630 56 34.418.0
// 142 — 110 /18 — //100
320 —
35.7 2
134
35.3 33 108Ukraine6 India 17 12.5
35.317.2 34 6Mexico
24
17 29
35.3 132 Côte 6 d’Ivoire* 17 12.8
54 Czechia 6 47
28.6 4 14
Falkland Islands b Cuba Portugal Slovenia
* Dotted line represents approximately the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir Namibia Cyprus SyrianSlovenia
Arab agreed
Rep. upon by India and Pakistan. TheMauritius final status of Jammu and Kashmir has not yet been agreed
58 Canada
59 Estonia 36 Italy
29.0
28.7
98 / 338
29 / 101
48.5
—
48 / 99
—/— 35.7 225 / 630 34.4 110 / 320 140” Fiji Brazil 30 to 34.9% 14.6
19.6 75
10 // 513 51 30 13.6 — 34.9%
to —11 / — 81 138
” 7 Sierra Leone 53 55 Australia 26.7 8 30
Mauritius 12.5 24 35.0 ” Niger 7 20 Slovenia Inter-Parliamentary AfghanistanUnion concerning theUkraine legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. 37 Uganda 34.9
12.8 5 39 United Kingdom 139 1
” Poland 28.7 24.0
35.0 34 109 Mexico
Israel 20 35.016.7 7 4 20 24 30 to 34.9%
” Ireland 26.7 4 15
United (Malvinas)
Kingdom Jamaica
United Kingdom
Malta
upon by the parties. Ukraine Lebanon Ukraine Iran Malawi 61 South Sudan 28.5
132 / 460
109 / 383 12.0
24 / 100
6 / 50 37 Uganda 30 to 34.9% 34.9 37160 141
114 / 459
Uganda Sao Tome
Croatia —and Principe —/— 14.5 160 29
34.919.2 8459
/Guyana / 55
151 —— — /— —/ —
136 Pakistan
”30Samoa* to 34.9% 12.0
30
3
2to 34.9%
25 134 India 12.5
” Slovakia 3 24
26.7 4 15
Ukraine
Tunisia
Falkland Islands b Andorra Botswana
IsraelDenmark Iraq *(Islamic
Dotted line represents approximately the Hungary
Line of Control
Bhutan in Jammu and Kashmir agreed upon by India and Pakistan. The final status of Jammu and Kashmir has not 63 yetPhilippines
62 been agreed 37 Uganda 28.0 29.2 34.9 38160 FijiGuyana
/ 459 — —/— 34.8 38 142 24 / 69
”Guyana India —
Kyrgyzstan —/— 14.4 3824 23
34.819.2 78 69/ 543
120 —10.4 — — 25 /— // 240
—
34.8 140
137 Malta 16.7
11.8 35 Chile*2 12
17 33.3 8 24 58 Barbados 26.1 6 23
United Kingdom
Paraguay Haiti
Denmark Atlantic Ocean
Netherlands Morocco Hungary Hungary Rep. of)
85 / 304 7 / 24
39 /United Kingdom — 33.8
” Mauritius 12.5 3 24 141 2
a State of Palestine (women in ministerial positions: 3/23 = 13%; a
women in parliament: data not available as the Palestine Legislative Council was dissolved in December 2018).
33.3 35 ”Chile* 8 Singapore24 33.316.7 ” 8Honduras* 32 24 18 33.3136 Pakistan 7 21
” Burundi 26.1 6 23 Netherlands Netherlands
Dominican Republic Hungary Ireland Denmark a
upon by the parties. Mozambique
Croatia
Dominican
64 Slovenia
Republic
38 Guyana
27.9
27.8
53 / 190
25 / 90
9.4
10.0
3 / 32
4 / 40 34.8 39 24United / 69 Kingdom — —/— 33.8 39220 116”United
/ 650Malaysia
GuatemalaKingdom27.2 216 / 795 14.4 220 30
33.819.0 32
/El 222 27.219.1
/ 158
650 — 216 /— 13 795/— 68
33.3 ” ””Honduras* Turkey 21 11.8 17 12.0 3 25 Denmark 14.1 4028 21 /Salvador 33.3 142
” Gabon 26.1 6 23
7 United Arab Emirates 33.316.7 ” 7Italy 4 21 24 ” Kenya 26.1 6 23 Netherlands b A dispute (Malvinas)
exists between the Croatia of Argentina and the United Kingdom
Governments Croatia of Great Britain and Northern Ireland concerning sovereignty over the Falkland Islands (Malvinas). 65 Lao People’s Dem. Republic 39 United 27.5 Kingdom41 / 149 — —/— 33.8 40220El Salvador27.2
/ 650 216 / 795 33.3 40 144 28 ”El/ 84 Georgia —
Tajikistan
Salvador —/— 33.3 19.0 /12 84 / 149
63 — —
21.9 — /— 7— //32—
33.3 ” 113 1397 Greece 21 11.1 2 18 33.3 137 Malta 7 21 11.8 2 17 Ireland Ireland Croatia Algeria a State of Palestine (women in ministerial NepalMadagascar
Bosnia
positions:and Herzegovina
3/23 = 13%; women in parliament: data not available as the Palestine Legislative Council was dissolved in December 66 Kazakhstan
2018). 27.1 29 / 107 10.6 5 / 47
13.7 ” 8 /14 Monaco 33.3 ”
Pakistan ” 28Monaco 33.3 ” 145 Guinea-Bissau — 24// 102
62 Chad 25.9 7 27 8 Monaco
/ 24Togo —/—
ItalyJapan 33.315.8 ” 7Republic 33 of 21 19
Korea 33.3 ” Turkey 6 18 Ireland Mexico
c FinalBelgium Bosnia Libya
and Herzegovina Bosnia and Eswatini
notHerzegovina
67 Afghanistan New Zealand 40 El Salvador
27.0 67 / 248 27.9 19 / 68 33.3 / 84 — —/— 118 33.318.7 17 91 —— — /— —/ —
33.3 ” ””Republic 6 Lao People’s 18 Democratic Republic 33.315.8 11.1 27 11.8 2 17 13.4 ”50 /31 Netherlands 33.3 144 5
” Maldives 25.9 7 27
b APoland
Belgium boundary between the Republic of Sudan and the Egypt Republic of South Sudan has yet been determined. ” 8 Netherlands 33.3 146
” 50 / 150 Burkina38.7
119Netherlands
Colombia Faso 29 / 75 33.318.3 17 127 38.721.7 — /— 75//106
—
(Malvinas).” Monaco 33.3 / 24 — —/— / 169 29 23
68 Bulgaria 26.7 —
” 4 Morocco
Malawi 12
of Korea 6
11.1 ” Sao32 Tome and Principe
18 19
18 33.3139 Greece 4 12 64 Belgium
11.1 (Plurinational 2 State of)
25.0
18
3 12
Belgium Bosnia
Western Saharaand Herzegovina
Poland Rep. Poland
of Moldova Kazakhstan dispute exists between the Governments Rep. of
of Moldova
Argentina and the United Kingdom Kazakhstan
of GreatLao Britain and Northern Ireland concerning sovereignty over the Falkland Islands
Australia ” Viet Nam 26.7
64 / 240
—
—/—
43 150
Nepal 32.7 145 9
ipe 33.3 ” 115 SaoSouth
TomeSudan*
and Principe 33.315.6 ” 4Trinidad 5 and 12 32
Tobago 33.3 7 21
” Bolivia 25.0 5 20
Belgium Poland Luxembourg Rep. of Moldova Kuwait Kazakhstan People’s Dem. Republic 70 Iraq ” Netherlands
26.4
132 / 494
87 / 329 —
—/—
—/— 33.3 43 Nepal
50 / 150 38.7
Tonga 32.7
29 / 75 New Zealand 43 90
120” / 275
Nepal Malta 37.3 22 /
Dem. People’s Rep. of Korea 32.717.6 90 12159 13.4
44 / 9
275 / 67
/ 687 37.3
Uzbekistan
— 22 /— 59 / —
32.0 146 4
o 33.3 ” 116 ” 7 Oman
Trinidad
Antigua andand 21 Barbuda*
Tobago
11.1
33.315.4 ” 7Uganda 21
3 27
21 13
” Lao People’s Democratic Republic ” Mali ” Ghana
11.1 3 25.0
27
25.0
5
9
20
36 Luxembourg Luxembourg Germany Rep. ©ofInter-Parliamentary
Moldova Union, 2020 Kazakhstan Romania Germany c Final boundary Lesotho between the Republic
Bahrain India Romania
of Sudan and the Republic of South Sudan has not yet Vietbeen
Nam determined. 71 Djibouti 43 Nepal 26.2 17 / 65 — —/— 32.7 4490 Uzbekistan
/ 275 37.3 22 / 59 32.0 4448 148
121 / 150 Ghana 17.0
Jamaica
Uzbekistan 17 / 100 13.1 48 /36
32.017.5 11
150 // 275
63 17.023.8 — 17 /— 5 //21
100 —
33.3 ” ”Uganda” Republic
10 Cyprus 30 of Moldova 11.1 9 33.3 ” 10
Malawi 30 ” 11.1
Palau 2 18
25.0 2 8 Luxembourg Cabo Verde Germany Saudi Romania Myanmar
Georgia Thailand
72 Algeria 25.8
44 Uzbekistan
119 / 462 6.8 9 / 132
32.0 4548 Zimbabwe
/ 150 17.0 17 / 100 31.9 4586 149
122 / 270 Saint Vincent
Mongolia 43.8 and the 35 /Grenadines
80 45
13.0 86 / 13
31.917.3
Zimbabwe
3 // 23 75 43.8— —/—
31.9 ” 8
33.315.4 ” 10 21
Uruguay 30 13 33.3 ” Oman 5 15 Germany Saint Kitts and Nevis Romania Georgia Qatar
Georgia Serbia Mongolia Mongolia 73 Cabo Verde 25.0 18 / 72 — —/— Zimbabwe
12.8 4619 51
270
San Marino 43.8 35 / 780/ 16 31.7 148
33.3 ” ””Uruguay Saint Kitts15 and Nevis* 11.1 9 11.1 3 27 Mongolia
20 to 24.9% Arabia © Inter-Parliamentary
5 Hungary 33.315.4 43 5Zambia 2 15 13 32.3 10 31
69 Egypt 24.2 8 33 Contacts:
Georgia Serbia South Serbia United
Union, 2020
Arab Armenia Cambodia ” Turkmenistan 45 Zimbabwe25.0 31 / 124 — —/— 31.9 4686 San/ 270Marino 43.8 35 / 80 31.7 46 150 19”San/ 60 Bahamas
Republic
Marino — of Korea— / — 31.7 17.3
47 / 560/ 295
Suriname
39 — — — /— — /—
31.4
32.3 43 145 Guinea* 31
10 Saint
”Zambia
10.8
32.315.4 44 10
4 37
31 13
” Republic of Moldova 11.1
70 Togo 1 9
24.0 6 25 Belize
Antigua and Barbuda
Serbia Mauritania
France Armenia Mongolia Armenia Montenegro Philippines 46 San24.9 Marino
20 to 24.9%
31.7 47 19Suriname
/ 60 — —/— 31.4 47 16 / 51
”SurinameDem. Republic
Turkey — of —the/ Congo
— 12.8 16102
31.417.3 64
/Germany 589 — 21.1
51// 500 — — 23 /— —// 109
— 149
146 Nepal Lucia* 10.5 22
Denmark 19 31.6 ” Saint6 Kitts and 19
Nevis* 71 Jamaica
11.1 1 23.5
9 4 17 DominicaFrance Inter-Parliamentary France Mali
Union (IPU) Armenia Montenegro
Niger Africa
United Nations Entity Montenegro
for Gender Equality
Emirates
Azerbaijan
75 China 742 / 2975 — —/—
152 Palau 36.2 48
12.5 221 29 31.2 150 2
31.6 44 120 6 Algeria*° 19 Sudan Contacts: 47 Suriname 31.4 48 16Germany — 31.2 48221 125 / 709Niger 25 / 69 31.217.0 2709 16 36.215.4
— 269// 13
c
Denmark 31.615.2 ” 6Eswatini 19 33 Guatemala
Azerbaijan ” Tunisia 24.9 54 / 217 — — / — / 51 —/— Germany / 171
/Cameroon 25 /— —
31.6 ” 147 6 Nigeria 19 10.3 53 29 31.6145 Guinea* 6 19
” Slovenia
10.8 (Bolivarian
23.5
4 Republic of) 23.5
37
4 17
France Saint Lucia Montenegro Switzerland Yemen Oman Azerbaijan Bangladesh
Micronesia 77 Republic of Moldova
48
24.8
Germany
25 / 101 — —/—
31.2 49 Cameroon 36.2 31.1 153
56
126 / 180Syrian
Azerbaijan Arab
26.0 Republic26 / 100 12.4
16.8
49 31 / 250 —
31.1 ” 5
Eswatini
1486 Bhutan 19
31.6
10.0 ” 6Lebanon
10 1 to 19
14.9% 10 31.6 146 Nepal 6 19
” Venezuela
74 Fiji
10.5 2 23.1
19
8
3
34
13
Honduras Switzerland Uruguay Switzerland
Saint Vincent
E-mail: postbox@ipu.org Azerbaijan Chad and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) Jordan Bulgaria United Nations Entity for Gender Equality Palau
78 Somalia 24.4 67 / 275 24.1 13 / 54 221 / 709 25 / 69 49 Cameroon 31.1 50
20
56 / Trinidad
180 119 26.0Tobago
and
—
26 / 100 / —
31.0
31.6 ” 121 Lebanon 31.614.9 ” 6Panama 19 47 Switzerland El Salvador Senegal www.ipu.org Bulgaria www.unwomen.org Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) (Fed. States of) 79 Lithuania 49 Cameroon24.1 34 / 141 — —/—
Japan
31.1 5056 Trinidad
/ 180 and 26.0Tobago26 / 100 31.0 50 154 13 / 42
”TrinidadLiberia
Zambia and38.7 Tobago 12 / 31 12.3 13 28
31.016.8 942/ 167
/Australia 73 38.73.3— 12 /— 131// 30
— 152
” 6 Cameroon*
Marshall Islands° 10.0 71 10 31.6147 Nigeria 6 19
” Latvia
10.3 3
23.1
29
3 13
United States ofNicaragua
America Italy and the Grenadines Italy Burkina Bulgaria Eritrea Uzbekistan Japan 80 Singapore
Japan 50 Trinidad 24.0 24 / 100 — —/—
”Australia
SierraLucia Leone 12.3 51 — 30.5 153
31.6 ” 122 Panama 19 31.614.8 48 6Dominica 19 27 United 16 States of America
76 Argentina* 22.7 5 22 Grenada Italy Trinidad and Tobago Bulgaria
Gambia (The) Uzbekistan E-mail: postbox@ipu.orgUzbekistan and the Empowerment of Women (UNJapan Women) Marshall Islands 81 Armenia 23.5 and
31 / 132 Tobago — —/— 31.0 51 13Australia
/ 42 38.7 12 / 31 30.5 51 46 128 / 151 Saint 48.7 37 / 76 30.516.7 46 /18 3 / 18
151 146 48.727.3 37 /— 376//11 —
” 5 Namibia
San Marino 10.0 41 10 31.3148 Bhutan 5 77 Bosnia and Herzegovina
10.0 (The) 1 United
22.2
10 States
2
of9
America Italy Monaco
Faso Djibouti 51 Australia Dem.
30.5 People’s
52 Angola Rep. of
48.7 Korea 30.0 156
66
129 / 220Hungary
Paraguay — — / — 12.1
16.3
52 Angola
24 / 199 —
20.0 — / — 30.0 154 6
31.3 48 123 16 Uzbekistan Dem. People’s Rep. of Korea 83 Israel Dem. People’s 23.3
82 United States of America 23.4 101 / 431 25.0 25 / 100 46 / 151 37 / 76 13 / 80 9 / 45
(6)

Dominica
Burkina Faso 31.314.3 49 5United United
4 5Kingdom 16 28 States of America 30.4 ” Marshall 7 23
” Gambia 22.2 4 18 Costa Rica Monaco Monaco Barbados Guinea-Bissau
North Macedonia Nigeria SouthNorth Macedonia www.ipu.org
North Macedonia www.unwomen.org Rep. of Korea21.9
28 / 120 — —/— 52 Angola 30.0
12.0 ”30 /81
66 / Latvia
220 — —/— 30.0 ” 3
to 9.9% Islands° 10.0 1 10
Dem. People’s Kyrgyzstan
Venezuela 157 Côte d’Ivoire 30 251 —10.4 19.2 — 26
30.4 49 ” United 7 EstoniaKingdom 23~ 30.414.3 50 7Madagascar 23 14
” Liberia 22.2 4 18
Panama Argentina Kyrgyzstan Rep. of Korea ” Lesotho 52 Angola 23.3 28 / 120 7 / 32 30.0
Republic ” 66 Latvia
of//Korea
220 — —/— 30.0 ” 30
130 / 100
Latvia Thailand — —/— 30.016.2 100 / 500 /19 — //250
99
30.0 50 151 Afghanistan 9.7 23 31 30.0 ” San6Marino 20 ” Micronesia (Federated States of)* 22.2 2 9 Monaco (Bolivarian Guyana North Macedonia
Guinea
San Marino Kyrgyzstan Republic of Korea 12.0 ”18 30 Luxembourg 30.0 156
About this map
10.0 1 10 San Marino Sudanc Brunei 85 Malawi
Republic ”of Korea
Latvia
22.9 44 / 192 — —/— 30.0 ” 30 Luxembourg
100 — —/— 30.0 18
131”Luxembourg
/ 60 Liechtenstein
Libya — —/— 16.0 360/ 188
25(5) — — /—
” 6 Indonesia
Madagascar 20 30.014.3 ” 6New 5 20
2 Zealand 21 35 30.0 6 20
” Montenegro 22.2 4 18 Chile Republic of) San Marino
Spain Sierra Leone Spain Kyrgyzstan Ethiopia
Albania
Sri Lanka
Turkmenistan Tajikistan 86 Guinea 22.8 26 / 114 — — / — ” 30.0 ” /Peru — — / — 30.0 3
30.0 ” 152 ”
Kyrgyzstan20
6 Nauru
New Zealand
9.5
30.014.3 6 1 20 7
82 Cuba 5 to 9.9% 21.9 7 32
San Marino Suriname Spain Albania Central African
Turkmenistan
Albania Tajikistan
Turkmenistan
Darussalam
Tajikistan Republic of Korea 87 Chile ” Luxembourg
22.6 35 / 155 23.3 10 / 43 30.0 ” 18Peru / 60 (5) — —/— 30.0 159
” 39
132 / 130
Peru Congo
Madagascar
(5) — —/— 11.3 39 /24
30.015.9 17130 / 151 —19.418.8 — /12 13 —/ 62 69 157
15325 Cambodia*
to 29.9% 9.4 3 32 25
151 Afghanistan to ~
29.9% ” Senegal
9.7 Macedonia 3 21.9
31 7 32
Spain Albania
Liberia
Turkmenistan Benin
Cameroon Rep.
Tajikistan Greece Turkey Jammu and Kashmir*
88 Czechia ” Peru22.5(5) 45 / 200 14.8 12 / 81 30.0 39 / 130 — — / — 160 Russian
133 Antigua 25 andto Barbuda
Federation 29.9% 11.1
15.8 71 18 25 52.9
2 // 450 17.1
to 29.9% 29 9 / 170
17 ”
the countriesTurkey

Portfolios held by Women Ministers Women in the highest positions of State World and regional averages
25 to 29.9% Colombia
29.4 52 128
127
1545 Jordan
Brazil 17
13.8
9.1 52 Luxembourg42 29
22 29.4152 Kyrgyzstan 5 17
84 North
9.5 Republic of 2Tanzania*
” United
21.7
21
21.7
5
5
23
23 Ghana The colour coding of Greece reflects the percentage of women Greecein unicameral Turkey parliaments or in Jammu
Somalia the lower and Kashmir*
house of parliament, and corresponds Jammu toand
theKashmir*
data found in the world
” Panama 22.5 16 / 71 — — / —
56 Montenegro 25 to 29.9% 29.6 56 134 24”Montenegro
/ 81 Myanmar
Chad — —/— 11.1 5624 25
29.615.4
Montenegro
48 432 —12.1
81/ 162
/Albania — — 27 /— — // 223
— 29.6 159
29.4 ” 155
Luxembourg
Guatemala
Philippines*
29.413.3 ” 5Paraguay
8.6 23 17 15
35 29.4153 Cambodia* 5 17 86 Cabo Verde 21.4 3 14
Greece
Andorra Turkey
Togo Andorra
Jammu and Kashmir*
Malaysia
Nauru China
Kiribati
90 Venezuela (Bolivarian Rep. of) 22.2 37 / 167 — —/—
162 Botswana 10.8 57 7 / 13065 — 29.5 160 3
9.4 3 32 Bahamas 29.6 57 24Albania 29.5 5736 — — /— —
91 Romania 21.9 14.7 / 122 —/—
5 Syrian 17 Republic ranking of women Côteind’Ivoire
Andorra parliament on the right-hand side of the map. A world ranking of women in ministerial positions is on the left-hand side of the map.
China 56 Montenegro 72 / 329 20 / 136
/ 81 — —/— ”Albania Jordan 29.515.4 36 /20 122 —15.4 10 —/ 65

Portfolios held by Women Ministers Women in the highest positionsofofwomen

State in parliament
World and regional averages
28.6 54 130
” Paraguay
1564 Comoros*14 Arab 29.413.3 54 5Czechia
8.3 4 1
17 30
12 28.6 154 Brazil 4 14
” Kuwait
9.1
88 Congo 2
21.4
22
21.2
3
7
14
33 Bahamas Bahamas Andorra Portugal
Kenya
Cyprus Maldives China 92 Kenya
57
21.8
Albania
76 / 349 30.9 21 / 68
29.5 5836 Canada
/ 122 — — / — 29.0 5898 163
136 / 338
Canada Nauru 48.5
Egypt 48 / 99 29.0 15.1 58
10.5 98 /90 Canada
2 / 596
338 19 48.5 — 48 /— 99 / — 29.0 ” 9
Czechia
” 8 Djibouti
Tonga* 30
28.6 13.0 4
8.3 55 Australia 31 14 23
12 26.7155 Philippines*
8 30 89 Botswana Bahamas 21.1 4 19 Portugal Cuba Portugal All data reflects the Cyprus
Equatorial Guinea
situation on 1 January 2020. Syrian theArab
AsDemocratic source Cyprus
Rep. of the data presented here, Inter-Parliamentary ChinaUnion is responsible for Syrian Arab Rep.
the criteria applied in displaying the information. Papua New Guinea 93 Bosnia and Herzegovina 21.4 9 / 42 20.0 3 / 15
164 Samoa — 10.0 59 Estonia
65 / 40 50 — 28.7 162
8.6 3 35 Syrian Arab Rep. 29.0 5998 Estonia 28.7 5929 137 Bahrain 28.715.0 —22.5 — /— //40—
94 Seychelles 21.2 7 / 33 — —/— / 101 —/— 9—
26.7 55 131 Australia
Russian Federation 26.712.9 ” 8Ireland 4 30 31 90 Benin 20.8 5 24 Cuba Portugal Cuba Cyprus Malta Sao Tome and Principe Afghanistan Afghanistan ” Uruguay 58 Canada 21.2 21 / 99 29.0 9 / 31 / 338 48.5 48 / 99 Estonia ”29 / Poland
101
9.9% 28.7 163 1
TheSyrian Arab Rep.
26.7156 Comoros* 4 15 Republic of
26.7 ” 132 1584 Uzbekistan15
Ireland
8.0
26.712.8 ” 4Slovakia
2 25
15 47
8.3
” Zimbabwe
Cuba 1 12
20.8 5
(1451 portfolios in 190 countries)
24
Malta Ecuador
Jamaica Malta designations employed and the presentation of material on this map do not imply the expression Uganda of any opinionAfghanistan
Lebanon whatsoever on the part of UN Women or of the 96 Honduras 59 Estonia 21.1 27 / 128 — —/— 28.7 ” 29 Poland
/ 101 — —/— 28.7 ”132Poland/ 460 24.0 24 / 100 28.7 132 /South
61 460 Sudan 24.0 10 5 to to
2414.9%
/ 100 28.5
159
26.7 ” ”Slovakia 4
Côte d’Ivoire*
Bangladesh 15 7.7 62 26 26.7 ” Tonga* 4 15 92 Central African
8.3 Republic*
1 20.0
12 7 35
Jamaica Malta Jamaica Lebanon Afghanistan
Gabonconcerning the legal status of anyLebanon
the Congo
Iran Iran
Iraqdelimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. Tuvalu 97 Equatorial Guinea
” Poland 21.0 21 / 100 16.7 12 / 72
28.7 61132South/ 460 Sudan 24.0 24 / 100 28.5 61109 165
138 / 383
South Japan
Bhutan Sudan 12.0 6 / 50 9.9 109 46
28.514.9 7383 / 47464 12.016.0
/Philippines 22.9 6 /56 4 / 25
50 245 164 1
Tunisia Iran

of women in parliament
” 6 Niger
26.712.8 58 4Barbados 51 15 39 ” Croatia
Jamaica
20.0 4 20
Tunisia Lebanon Inter-Parliamentary Union Iraq Morocco country, territory, city or area or ofSeychelles its authorities,
Israel or concerning the
Singapore 98 Bangladesh 20.9 73 / 349 — —/—
9.8 62 28.0 8
26.1 58 134 Lithuania 23
Barbados
7.7
26.112.5 ” 6Burundi
13
23 24
26.1158 Uzbekistan 6 23 8.0
” Mauritania 2 25
20.0 5 25
Haiti Haiti Tunisia
(1451 portfolios in 190 countries) Iran
Israel United Rep.
Israel Iraq a Bhutan (Islamic Rep. of) Bhutan ” Ireland 61 South 20.9 Sudan 33 / 158 31.7 19 / 60 28.5 62109Philippines
/ 383 12.0 6 / 50 28.0 6285 166
139 / 304 Qatar 29.2
Gabon
Philippines 7 / 24 28.014.8 85 /21 4 / 142
304 41 29.2 —
18.0 7 /18— 24//100 —
26.1 ” 161
India
Lesotho 23 7.4 3 2 27 26.1159 Bangladesh 6 23 ” Monaco
7.7 2 20.0
26 1 5
Tunisia 112 Haiti/ Children
Family / Youth
Falkland / Elderly
Islands b
/ Disabled Morocco Iraq Morocco
* Dotted line represents approximately Congo a the Line of Control (Islamic ofRep.
in Jammu of)
and Kashmira agreed upon (Islamic
Rwanda
by India and Rep.Pakistan.
of)
a The final status of Jammu and Kashmir has not yet been Bhutan
agreed 100 Ukraine 20.8
62 Philippines 88 / 423 — — / —
28.0 6385 Dominican
/ 304 Republic 7 / 24
29.2 27.9 6353 167
140 / 190 Eswatini9.4
Brazil Republic 3 / 32 27.914.6
63
9.6 53 /75 Dominican
7 / 51373 Republic
33.3
9.413.6 3 / 1110
32/ 81 30 27.9 165 5
6 Mauritius
”Burundi 26.112.5 ” 6Gabon 31 23 24 ” Sudan
Haiti 20.0 4 20
Morocco Dominican Republic Israel (Islamic Rep. aof)
Tanzania
a Bhutan Burundi Indonesia 101 Greece 20.7 62 / 300 — —/— Dominican 64 190
Slovenia 27.8
162 Armenia 7.1 14 26.1 ” Lithuania 6 23 7.7 1 13 Dominican Republic
Pacific Ocean 112 Dominican
Affairs Republic
Brazil a 63 Dominican 31 /Republic 27.9 6453 Slovenia
/ 190 9.4 3 / 32 27.8 64 141 168
25Slovenia
/ 90 Mali
Sao Tome 10.0and Principe 4 / 40 9.5
27.814.5 6525 /Lao 14890 55/ 147 — — / — 166
26.1 ” 136Gabon 6 23
Women heads of state (10/152 = 6.6%) Social a upon by the parties. 1 10.0 Dem. Republic4 / 40
15 to 19.9% ” Slovakia 20.7 150 — —/—
26.112.0 ” 6Kenya 23 25 People’s 27.5 167
” 6 Pakistan 32 26.1161 Lesotho 6 23 (Malvinas) Family /aChildren 169 Belize 9.4 41 /78 21.4 — 25
State of /Palestine
Youth / Elderly (women /inDisabled
97 Serbia 19.0 4 21 3 / 54332
Timor-Leste / 3— 14
103 Morocco 20.5 11.7
26.1 ” 137 Equatorial23 Guinea 7.1 28 7.4 Dominican
2 Republic
27 112 Solomon Islands 64 Slovenia 81 / 395 14 / 120
27.8 65 25Lao / 90People’s 10.0Dem. Republic
4 / 40 27.5 65 41 142 / 149
Lao India
People’s —Dem. Republic —/— 27.514.4 149 —10.4 / 240
25.9 62 ””Chad
KenyaMalta
Qatar
26.111.8 62 6Chad
7.1 21 23 17
14 25.9162 Armenia 7 27
98 Malaysia
7.1 1
18.5
14
5 27
103 Environment / Natural Resources / Energy ministerial positions: 3/23 =Algeria
Equatorial Guinea Angola
13%; women in parliament: data not available as theNepal
Libya Palestine Legislative Council was dissolved in December Pakistan 2018). Nepal 104 Indonesia
65 Lao
20.3
People’s
117 / 575
31 / 153Dem.—
—
Republic
—/—
27.5 66 41 Kazakhstan
/ 149 — — / — 27.1 170
29 ” / 107Brunei Darussalam
Malaysia 10.6 5 / 47 9.1 66
14.4
Kazakhstan
32 3 / 22233 —
19.1 —
13 / —
68
27.1 168 2
Mexico Algeria Nepal 66 Kazakhstan 27.1 29 / 107 10.6 5 / 47
and women heads of government (12/193 = 6.2%)Women heads of state (10/152 = 6.6%)
Pakistan
” Somalia* 18.5 5 27 ” Mauritania 20.3 —/—
7 Turkey 27 Social Affairs Libya Algeria Pakistan 1
1657 Tunisia~ 27
25.911.8 ” 7Maldives
6.9 22 27 17
29 25.9 ” Equatorial 7 Mexico 27 100 Timor-Leste*
Mexico 18.2 2 11 Peru 112 Libya Nepal 106 Pakistan
Single house
20.2 69 / 342
Upper
19.2
9 /house
20 / 104
Both houses
6729 Afghanistan 27.0 6767 171 / 248 Central27.9 African Republic 19 / 68 8.6 67 Afghanistan
12 140 27.9—
/ 149 19 /— 68/ —
27.0 169 6
25.9 ” 139 Maldives
Greece 25.911.1 64 7Belgium 21 Mexico 27 18
Guinea 7.1
101 Eritrea* 2 28
17.6 3 17 88 Employment / Labour / Vocational TrainingLibya
Algeria b A dispute exists between the Governments Pakistan of ArgentinaZambia and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Egypt Ireland concerning sovereignty over the Falkland Islands (Malvinas).
Samoa 107 Barbados 66 Kazakhstan
20.0 6 / 30 42.9 21 27.1 / 107 10.6 5 / 47 144 Georgia
Afghanistan 27.014.1
8.6 68
67 /21 248
Bulgaria 26.7 170 6
25.0 64 166 Bahamas 12
3 Lao 6.7 15 25.0 ” Qatar 3 12 7.1
” Romania 1 14
17.6 3 17 103 EnvironmentWestern / Natural Resources
Sahara Egypt / Energy Egypt ” Cambodia
New 67 Afghanistan
Zealand
or lower
20.0
house
25 / 125 16.1
or
10 / 62
Senate 27.0 6867 Bulgaria
/ 248
combined 27.9 19 / 68 26.7 6864 145”Bulgaria
/ 240 Gambia —
Guinea-Bissau (The) —/— 26.713.7 64 /14 5 / 102
240 58 —— — /— —/ —
””Belgium 25.011.1 ” 3Bolivia 12 Women’s AffairsSahara/ Gender Equality Bolivia 88 Western SaharaEgypt Indian Ocean ” Viet Nam 26.7 171 1
al State of) 25.0 ” ”Bolivia
25.0 ” 168
5 Malawi
5
People’s
Mongolia 20 Democratic
(Plurinational State of)
China* 20
Republic 6.7
25.011.1 ” 5Ghana
6.5
3
22
27
1 (Plurinational
15
20 18
31
State of) 25.0165 Tunisia
25.0166 Bahamas
5 ~
5
20
20
” Suriname
6.9
104 Democratic
6.7
” Dominican
Republic
Republic 1
17.6
2 of the Congo 17.4
29
15
17.4
3
8
4
17
46
23
80
79 Western Sahara Culture
Western
(Plurinational
Employment c Final boundary between the Republic of Sudan and the Republic of South Sudan has not yet been determined.
/ Labour / Vocational Training Zimbabwe Kuwait and
Bangladesh (HG), Barbados (HG), Belgium (HG), Bolivia (Plurinational State of) (HS/HG), women
Denmark heads
(HG), Estonia of government (12/193 = 6.2%)
(HS), Kuwait Lao People’s
Kuwait
Dem. Republic
Lao People’s Dem. Republic Lao People’s
” Mauritius
” Saint Kitts and Nevis 68
Dem. Republic ” Viet Nam
20.0
Bulgaria
20.0
14 /
3 / 15Lao People’s Dem.26.7
70

Viet
—

15 to 19.9%
Nam
— / —
Republic
26.7
” 64 Viet
/ 240Nam —
70132Iraq / 494 —
—/—
—/—
26.7
Single”132
26.4 7087
173
house
146
174
/ 494
Viet
/ 329
”Iraq
Tonga
Nam —
Burkina
Benin —
Malta
Upper—house
Faso
—/—
/—
26.4
7.4 132
Both
26.713.4
7.2 70
13.4 87
houses
/
17 2494
/Iraq
96 / 67
329
27
/ 127
83
——
— —
— /—
— /—
—/ —
— /—
26.4 ” 8
Ghana
” Oman 25.0 11.1 5 32 20 27 Women’s Affairs / Gender Equality Union, 2020 Kuwait India or lower 17house Kiribati — or Senate combined
71 Djibouti 26.2
25.0 ” ””Mali Iran (Islamic
9 Republic 36 Republic of)* 6.5 ” Mali 31 25.0 ” Mongolia 9 36 ” Poland
6.7 States of America*
1 17.4
15 4 23
79 Trade / Industry
80State of) © Inter-Parliamentary
Ethiopia (HS), Finland (HG), Georgia (HS), Germany (HG), IcelandBangladesh Bahrain
(HG), Nepal(HG),
(HS),Barbados
New Zealand
(HG),(HG),
Comoros India
Norway
Belgium (HG),(HG), World
Bolivia (Plurinational State of) averages
Bahrain Saudi
(HS/HG), Myanmar IndiaViet Nam
Denmark (HG), Estonia (HS),
Bahrain Viet Nam Vanuatu Myanmar
111
Viet Nam 112 Cyprus
Saudi Arabia
70 Iraq 19.9 30 / 151
24.9%
— — / —
26.4 24.7%
7187 Djibouti
/ 329 — 24.9%
—/— 26.2 175
71 148 / 65 Ghana
Djibouti —/— 6.5
26.213.1 17 36 365/ 275
/Algeria 46 —— — /— —/ — 173
(IPU). Based on United Nations Map No. 4170 Rev. March 2020

6.3 72 25.8 174 1

19.6 11 / 56 — —/—
25.011.1 ” 9Palau 36 9 ” United 17.4 4 23
Cabo Verde
Belize* of8 Moldova 11 Namibia
25.0 ” 170 2 Saint 6.3 16 25.0168 China* 2 8 6.5 Leone
108 Sierra 2 31
17.2 5 29 Cabo Verde 79 Cabo Verde Culture Bahrain Saudi India Saudi Mauritius Qatar Myanmar Thailand
” Fiji 71 Djibouti19.6 10 / 51Thailand — —/— 26.2 72 17Algeria / 65 — —/— 25.8 72119 176
149 / 462
AlgeriaKuwait
Saint 6.8 and the
Vincent 9 / Grenadines
132 25.813.0 34462
119 /Cabo
73
/ 2363
Verde 6.8 — 9/— 132/ — 25.0 175
””Palau Sri Kitts and Nevis*
Lanka°
25.011.1
6.3
2 1
1
8 9
16 20 to 24.9%
” Iran (Islamic Republic of)*
109 Israel
6.5 2
16.7
31
4 24 76 Saint Kitts and Nevis
Cabo Verde Education Saint Kitts and Nevis Saudi
Contacts: Botswana Qatar Myanmar Malawi Qatar Arabia Thailand 114 Croatia
72 19.2
Algeria 29 / 151 — —/—
World averages
25.8 73 119 Cabo
/ 462 Verde 6.8 9 / 132 25.0 18
150” /
73 Cabo Verde 72Tuvalu
Bahamas — — / —
24.9%25.0 6.3
12.8 24.7% 5 1
24.9%
/ 16
39
18 /Turkmenistan
72 — —
43.8 —/— — 7 // —
16
20 to 24.9% Saint Kitts and Nevis 79 Trade / Industry San Marino (HS), Serbia (HG), Singapore (HS), Slovakia (HS), Switzerland
Qatar Arabia (HS/HG),
Ethiopia (HS), Trinidad
Finland and Tobago
(HG), Georgia (HS),(HS)
Germany (HG), Iceland (HG), NepalRegional
(HS), New Zealand (HG), Norway (HG), Thailand United Arab Fiji ” Kyrgyzstan 19.2 23 / 120 — —/—
6.1 ”31 /64 25.0
ISBN 978-92-9142-758-1 (IPU). Based on United Nations Map No. 4170 Rev. March 2020

145” 8 Guinea* 6.3 69 20

10.8 Egypt4to 24.9% 37 24.2170 Belize* 8 33
” Samoa* 16.7 2 12 Paraguay Atlantic Ocean Arabia Mozambique averages Cambodia ” 18Turkmenistan 25.0 178
” 31 / 124 Comoros
”Turkmenistan
Dem. —
Republic of —the/ Congo
— 25.012.8 2 / 50033 —21.1 — /— //109
— 176
Antigua and BarbudaPublic Works / Territorial Planning
Yemen 33 2 32 6.3 1 16Saint3 Kitts and Nevis Cambodia 73 Cabo 19.0 Verde 25.0 / 72 — —/— 124 — 23 —
24.2 69 146 Egypt
1736 Nepal
24.210.5 70 8Togo 21 33 19
” Singapore 16.7 18 73
76Mauritania Antigua and Barbuda Education Arabia Union (IPU) Mauritania United
Gender Arab United Arab Cambodia116” Guatemala
Tajikistan 19.0
30 / 158
12 / 63
—
21.9
—/—
7 / 32 ” Palau Marshall 20Islands to 24.9% 6.1 2 / 16 33 20 15.4 — 24.9% — 2 //13 —
Tajikistan 25 5.9 17 24.0 ” Sri 6 Lanka° 25 ” United Arab Emirates
6.3 1
16.7
16
4 24
Belize Antigua and Barbuda Mauritania Inter-Parliamentary United Nations Entity forEswatini Equality Madagascar Cambodia ” Turkmenistan
Philippines 25.0 31 / 124 — —/— 152 12.5 to ”
24.0 70 147
174
Togo Nigeria
Kazakhstan
24.010.3 71 6Jamaica
5.0 31 25 29
20 23.5 Belize
” Yemen 4 17
113
”
Japan
6.3
Morocco Belize 2
15.8
32
15.8Antigua 61
3
3 and
19
19 Barbuda Dominica
Research
Mauritania and Development /
73
Science and Technology
Mali Dominica Public Works / Mali
Territorial Planning
E-mail: postbox@ipu.org United Arab Mali
and the Empowerment San Marino (HS), Serbia (HG), Singapore (HS), Slovakia (HS), Switzerland (HS/HG), Trinidad and Tobago (HS)
NigerofEmirates
Women (UN Women) Emirates
Emirates Philippines Philippines
118 Togo
119 Colombia
18.7
18.3
17 / 91
31 / 169
—
21.7
—/—
23 / 106
Regional averages75 China 20 to 24.9% 24.9 153
742 ”
75 China / 2975Solomon
Syrian —
ArabIslands
Republic— / — 24.9 6.1
12.4 75 China
31 3
742 / Tunisia
2975 / 49
250 — — —/— — / — 24.9 178 74
23.5 71 148
”
23.5 ” ”Slovenia
4 Bhutan 17
Jamaica
Solomon Islands*
4 Marshall Islands°17
23.510.0
5.0
Belize
” 4Slovenia
23.510.0 ” 4Venezuela
Guatemala
11
1 2 to
17 10
20
17 10
(Bolivarian
4.9%Republic of)
23.5 Guatemala
173 4
Tajikistan
23.5174 Kazakhstan 8
17
34
115 South Sudan*
5.9
116 Antigua and Guatemala 1
Barbuda*
15.6
17
15.4
60
Dominica
5
2
32
13
Guatemala
Saint Lucia
Foreign Affairs
Mali 61
Dominica
(including Development
Niger Assistance) Saint Sudan
Lucia c
Niger
Research www.ipu.org
and Development / Science and
Sudan c Niger
Emirates Technology Women speakers of parliament (57/278 = 20.5%)
www.unwomen.org Sudan c
Lesotho
Oman
Sudan
* c
Bangladesh
Oman Yemen
Philippines Oman
Bangladesh
Australia
Regions*
Bangladesh are classified by
Tonga descending order
121 of
Jamaica the percentage
120 Dem. People’s Rep. of Korea
75
” Tunisia
17.6
China
17.5 of 11 / women
121 / 687
63
—
23.8 in—/—
5 / unicameral
21 24.9
24.9
”parliaments
742 Tunisia
/ 2975
/ 217Micronesia
7754 Republic of—
— —
Moldova— / —
/ — 24.9 ”
24.8 77 25
181
154
54
182
/ 217
Tunisia
”Republic
/ 101
Iran (Islamic
Liberia
Sri Lanka
Sierra of
—
—
Leone
Republic
Moldova— / —
— / —of) 24.9 5.9 ”54 /17
12.3
5.3 77
24.812.3 12
25 /18
9
217 /
Republic
289 — 3.3
73
225 of
/ 146 ——
— —
Moldova — / — /— 1 — //30— 24.9 ” 5
24.8 ”
5.0
” Cyprus 1 20
15.4
56 2 13
Honduras Home Affairs / ImmigrationSaint Lucia (including Integration and refugees) Yemen or the lower house of parliament. Micronesia 122 Mongolia 17.3 13 / 75 — —/— 101 —/—
n Republic of) 23.5 ” ”Venezuela
23.1 74 176
8 San Marino
3 Iraq
Fiji
34
(Bolivarian
13
Republic of) 23.510.0
23.1 Honduras
8
4.5 74 Fiji 11
3
34 10
13
22 23.1 Honduras
” Solomon 3 Islands* 13 ” Hungary
5.0 Lucia*
” Saint
Honduras 1
50 4.9%
20Saint2 Lucia 13
15.4
15.4
2 13

El Salvador Saint Vincent Agriculture /56 Food

60
/ Forestry
Saint Vincent/ Fishing
Saint Vincent Foreign Affairs
Chad (including
Yemen Development Oman
Assistance)
South
Women
Bangladesh ChadYemen
Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belgium,
Chad Africa Jordan Belize,speakers
Bolivia of parliament (57/278 = 20.5%) Jordan
Jordan *
Micronesia
” Republic of Korea
” Turkey 77 Republic Micronesia
17.3
17.3 ofRegions*
51 / 295
102 /Moldova
589
—
— are
— / — classified
—/—
24.8 78by /descending
25 Somalia
101
(Fed. States
— order
of)
—/— of the 24.4
percentage
7867156 / 275
Somalia of women
Hungary 24.1 in13unicameral
/ 54 24.412.1
78
parliaments
7967 /24
Somalia
275 / 199 24.10.1
Lithuania
— to 13 /— 4.9%
54/ —
24.4 181 6
24.1 182
Home Affairs Senegal (Fed. States of) 125
1 5 to 9.9% 7967 Lithuania 24.1 79 34 183
157 / 141 Lebanon
Côte —
d’Ivoire —/— 4.7 34 /30
24.112.0 6141 // 128 —19.2 — — /— —

Source: IPU. Data provided by national parliaments.

4.3 ” Latvia 23.1 El Salvador 3 13 78 Somalia
(Fed. 24.4 / 275 24.1 13 / 54 251 19 —/ 99
16.8 States of)
1773 Bahrain 13~ 23 Niger 17.0 29 / 171 — —/—
Lithuania
and the Grenadines Health Senegal / Immigration (including Integration and refugees)
23.1 ” 151 120 Algeria*°
El Salvador 2 to 15.2 5 33
Chad andUruguay
the Grenadines Jordan 20 or
/ 119 the Palau
—lower — / —house of parliament.
Latvia
1785 Afghanistan
23.19.7 76 3Argentina* 31 13 31 22.7176 Iraq5 22 Saint10Vincent and the Grenadines Senegal Burkina Eritrea Nordic countries Eritrea (Fed. States Palau
of) Palau
126 Azerbaijan
79 Lithuania 43.9% —
24.1 —
8034 Singapore
/ 141 — —/— 24.0 80 24 184 Maldives
”Singapore
/ 100 Liechtenstein — —/— 4.6 80
24.012.0
Singapore
34 / 25 87 —— — /— —/ —
24.0
Grenada Burkina (Plurinational State of), Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Democratic Republic ofand
the Congo, Dominica, Equatorial
to 14.9%
Myanmar 22 3.8El Salvador 26 24 / Armenia
100
22.7 76 152 Argentina*
1792 Kyrgyzstan
22.79.5 77 5Bosnia 21 and 22 21 Nicaragua
4.5
121 Cameroon* 1 47 22
14.9
23and the
7 47
Grenadines Grenada Nicaragua Senegal Grenada 50 Gambia (The) Trinidad
(The) and Tobago Agriculture / Food Gambia Burkina (The) / Fishing Eritrea
/ Forestry Faso Andorra, Antigua Barbuda, Argentina, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belgium,
Eritrea Belize, Bolivia Palau Djibouti
” Zambia 16.8 28 / 167
16.7 Marshall
80 Singapore
—
Islands
—/—
24.0 8124 Armenia
/ 100 Marshall — —/—
Islands 23.5 81 31 185
159 / 132 Nigeria —
Congo Marshall Islands
—/— 81
3.4 31 /12
23.511.3 17 / 350
151 —18.8 7.3 — /13 8— / /109
69 23.5 183

Source: IPU. Data provided by national parliaments.

Turkmenistan 3.7 Herzegovina
27 22.2177 2
Bahrain 9 4.3 40 Nicaragua1 Burkina Gambia 128 Saint Lucia 3 / 18 27.3 3 / 11
Armenia 132
Faso
GambiaTrinidad
(The) and Tobago Housing / Urban Affairs
122 Namibia 14.8 4 27
ovina 22.2 77 153 Bosnia and Herzegovina9 22.29.4Nicaragua 2 3 Grenada Trinidad and Tobago Faso Djibouti 2.5 82 United 18 States of America (6)
23.4 184 1
(The)9 32
129 Paraguay 16.3 13 / 80 20.0 9 / 45
1804 Cambodia*
Belarus 18 3.4 ” Gambia 1 29 22.2178 Myanmar 4 18 123 Burkina Faso
3.8 1
14.3
26Trinidad
4 28
Costa Rica 47 Health Guinea-Bissau Guinea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia (The), Indonesia, Italy,(Plurinational
Japan, Kazakhstan, LaoBosnia
State of), People’s
andDemocratic
Herzegovina,Republic,
Bulgaria, Democratic Republic Djibouti
of the Congo, Dominica, Equatorial Marshall Islands 81 Armenia Nordic countries
23.5 8231 United / 132 States — of America
—/— (6)
23.4 82101 186
160 / 431
United HaitiStates
Antigua 25.0
andofBarbuda 25 / 100
America (6)
43.9%
23.411.1 — 101 /3Israel
2431 —
// 118 0.0
25.052.9 25 / 100 90 / 1710

Portfolios held by Women Ministers Women in the highest positions of State World and regional averages
22.2 ” 154 Gambia
Brazil (The) 22.29.1 ” 4Liberia 2 18 22 Costa Rica ” Estonia
Costa
40 Rica 14.3 2 and 14 Tobago
Justice Faso
Guinea-Bissau Venezuela Argentina
Guinea-BissauBarbados Djibouti Nigeria South Americas
130 Thailand
82
16.2
United
81 / 500
States of
10.4
31.1%
America
26 / 250
32.1%
23.4 83 31.3%
Israel 25.0 23.3 187
28 ” / 120Oman
Myanmar — — / — 2.3
11.1 83 48 2 / 86
432 17.4
12.1 27 15 // 86
223 23.3 185 2
Barbados Nigeria About this map 101 / 431 25 / 100
(6)
1814 Azerbaijan18 3.0 1 33 22.2179 Turkmenistan
4 18 Venezuela Barbados Chile
131 Libya 16.0 30 / 188 — — / —
83 Israel 23.3 28 / 120 — —/—
3.7 1 27
PanamaGuinea-Bissau Venezuela40 Affairs SouthNigeria
” Indonesia 14.3 5 35
22.2 ” 155 Liberia
Philippines* 22.28.6Costa Rica
” 4Micronesia
3 18 35 (Bolivarian Housing / Urban Guinea South 132 Madagascar
133 Russian Federation 83
15.9
Israel
24 / 151 19.4 12 / 62
23.3 ” 28 Lesotho — 23.3 188
” 28
162 / 120 Yemen (7)
Botswana 21.9 7 / 32 0.3 ”28 / 1Lesotho
23.310.8 7 // 301 65 21.92.7— 7 /— 332//111 — 23.3 186 2
29Barbados Nigeria Latvia, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mexico (2 chambers), Mozambique, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, / 120 —/—
” Nauru 14.3 1 7
(Federated
0% States of)* 22.2180Panama 2 9
ed States of)* 22.2 ” 156Micronesia
182
2 Comoros*
Brunei
9
(Federated
Darussalam
States of)* 22.28.3 ” 2Montenegro
0.0Panama 10 9 12
16 22.2 181
Belarus
4
Azerbaijan 18
Venezuela127 3.4 Panama
33Jordan
3.0
128 Guatemala
1
1
13.8
33
13.3
4
2
(Bolivarian
29
15
Guinea Guyana (Bolivarian40 Sports GuineaGuyana Republic of)
Guinea Guyana South
Justice Sierra Leone Sudan
The colour coding of c the countries reflects the percentage of women in unicameral
Ethiopia Sudan Guinea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia (The), Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Lao People’s Democratic Republic,
c parliaments or in the lower house of parliament, andSudan
c
corresponds to the data Ethiopia
Srifound in the world
Lanka Brunei
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka
Brunei
Brunei
134 Chad ” Lesotho
15.8
15.4
71 / 450
25 / 162
17.1
—
29 / 170
—/—
Americas23.3 8528 Malawi / 120 21.9 7 / 32 22.9 8544 163
Lesotho
/ 192
Malawi Nauru — —/— 22.9 10.5 85
31.1% 32.1%
44 /
120
Malawi
31.3%
2 / 19
192 — — — /— — /0%— 22.9 187 4
22.2 ” ”Montenegro4
” 7 Tonga*
18 22.28.3 82 4Cuba 10 18 12 (Bolivarian32 Republic of) Republic of) Local GovernmentSierra Leone ranking of women in parliament on the right-hand side of the map. A world ranking of women inEthiopia
Central African
ministerial positions is on the left-hand side of the map.
Europe (Nordic countries included) Darussalam
” Jordan 15.4 20 / 130
30.1%
15.4 10 / 65
29.1% 29.9%
22.9 8644 Guinea 22.8 86 26 189
164 / 114 Micronesia
Samoa — (Federated —/— States of)22.810.0 86
0.0 26 / 5114 Guinea
0 / 50 14 —— — /— —/ —
22.8 188
Guyana Sierra Leone
SurinameSudan c
Republic of Moldova, Russian Federation, Rwanda, Saint Lucia, San Marino,
Latvia, Serbia,
Lesotho, South
Liberia, Africa, SpainMalawi,
Madagascar, (2 chambers),
Mexico (2 chambers), Mozambique, Brunei
Netherlands, Norway, Poland, 85 Malawi / 192 — —/—
” Syrian Arab Republic 13.3 4 30
Kiribati 32 0.0 13 21.9 7 32
Sports
Ethiopia Central African Central African Sri Lanka Darussalam Guinea

of women in parliament
21.9 82 158 0% Suriname 33 Darussalam 136 Egypt 15.1 90 / 596 — —/—
87 Chile 22.6
Cuba
” 7 Uzbekistan
Papua New
21.98.0 ” 7Senegal 20 32 25 21.9182 Brunei 7 Darussalam 32 Republic 31 of)
130 Djibouti 13.0 3 23
Sierra Leone
(1451 portfolios in 190 countries) Tourism Liberia Suriname Central African Liberia
All data reflects the situation on 1 January 2020. As the source of the data presented here, Inter-Parliamentary
Cameroon
Union is responsible
Rep. for the criteria applied in displaying
Darussalam
the information. 137 Bahrain 86 Guinea 15.0 6 / 40 22.5 9 / 40 22.8 8726 Chile / 114 — —/— 22.6 8735”Chile / 155 Papua New 23.3 Guinea 10 / 43 22.60.0 88 0155 / 111 23.3—5 to
35 / Czechia 10 /— 43/ —
9.9%
21.9 ” 159 32Guinea* 0.0 32 0.0 Federation0
131 Russian 16
12.9
Suriname
4 31
Cameroon Rep. The designations employed and the presentation ofRep. 22.5 189 4
”
Senegal
Bangladesh
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines*
21.97.7 84 7North
0.0 20 Macedonia 32 26
10 21.7 ” 5
Kiribati 23 132 Côte d’Ivoire*
0.0 0
12.8
13
Colombia
6 47 32
Public Administration Colombia / Public Service
Liberia
Rep. Benin Local Government Benin
Cameroon Benin
Suriname, Switzerland, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago (2 chambers), Republic
material on this map do not imply the
Turkmenistan, Uganda,
of Moldova, UnitedFederation,
Russian States of America,
expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of UN Women or of the
Rwanda, Saint Lucia, San Marino, Serbia, South Africa,countries
Spain (2 chambers), 138 Bhutan 87 Chile 14.9 7 / 47
10 to 14.9%
16.0 4 / 25 Europe (Nordic countries included)
22.6 8835 Czechia/ 155 23.3 10 / 43 22.5 8845 165”Czechia
/ 200 Vanuatu
Japan 14.8 12 / 81 22.5 30.1%
9.9 29.1%
0.0 45 /46
” 200 29.9%
0 / 464
Panama
52 14.8 —
22.9 12 56
/— 81//245
—
22.5
21.7 84 ”North 5 Macedonia
” 5 Lithuania
Saudi Arabia*
23 21.77.7 ” 5United
0.0 10 Republic 23 13of Tanzania*
22 21.7 ” Papua 5 New Guinea* 23
30 ” Niger
0.0 0
12.8
32
5 39 Liberia
Colombia 31 Ghana Benin Cameroon
Ghana Tourism Ghana * DottedInter-Parliamentary Union concerning the legal status
Somalia
of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or
Somalia
concerning the delimitation of its
Europe
frontiers or
(Nordic
boundaries.
Somalia not included) Malaysia
139 Gabon 88 Czechia 14.8 21 / 142 28.7%
18.0 18 / 100 29.1%
22.5 28.8%
” 45 Panama
/ 200 14.8 12 / 81 22.5 16Panama
” 166 / 71 Qatar — —/— 22.5Information
9.8 471/ 41
9016 /Venezuela
not
— — available
(Bolivarian — /— Rep.—/ — of) 22.2 ” 3
”
Colombia 134 India 12.5 3 24
AboutVietthis
Nammap
Tanzania* 21.7 ” 161 23 of Tanzania* line represents approximately the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir agreed upon by India and Pakistan. The final status of Jammu and Kashmir has not yet been agreed 140 Brazil 14.6 13.6
Economy / Development Falkland Islands b 75 / 513 11 / 81
United Republic 21.77.4 86 5Cabo 20 Verde 23 27 Family / Children / Youth / Elderly / Disabled
21.4 86 162 ” 3 Lesotho
Cabo
Thailand 14
Verde 21.4
0.0
3 14
24 21.4 ” Saint 3 Vincent and 14the Grenadines* 27 136 ” Mauritius
0.0
Pakistan 0
12.5
10
12.0
3
3
24
25 Ghana 30
112
Togo Togo (Malvinas) Public Somalia
Togo
Administration / Public
upon by the parties.
Service Uruguay (2 chambers), Uzbekistan,
Côte d’Ivoire and Zimbabwe. Suriname, Switzerland, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago (2 chambers), Turkmenistan, Uganda, United States of America,
Malaysia
Malaysia Malaysia 141 Sao Tome and Principe ”
Nauru 90
Panama
14.5
Venezuela
8 / 55
Kiribati
(Bolivarian
—
Nauru
Rep.
—/—
of)
22.5 90 16Venezuela/ 71
Europe (Nordic countries not included)
22.2 91 Romania
(Bolivarian
—
Kiribati
—
—Rep. / —of)
Nauru 22.2 9037
21.9
Eritrea
167
72
168
/ 167
/ 329
Eswatini
Venezuela
Mali
—
(Bolivarian
Kiribati
14.7
—Rep.
20 /
/ —of)
No136
22.29.6 91
parliament 28.7%
9.5 29.1%
7 / 73
37 / Romania
167
on28.8% 1
—33.3 — /10
January —
—/ 30
2020 21.9 7
Armenia 7.1 10 14
/ Telecommunications /Côte d’Ivoire 37 / 167 — / — 14 / 147 — / —
142 India 14.4 78 / 543 10.4 25 / 240
Communications Postal Affairs 91 Romania 21.9 72 / Kenya
329 14.7 20 / 136
21.4 ” ””Kuwait
21.2 88 ””Congo
Tuvalu
3 Equatorial
Vanuatu 33
7 Qatar
14Guinea
0.0 ” Kuwait
21.47.1 88 3Congo
0.0
21.27.1 89 7Botswana
20 14 28
12
33 14
8 21.4 ” Saudi
21.2 ” Thailand
3 Arabia* 14
7 33
25
26 0.0
137 Malta
” Turkey
0.0
139 Greece
0
0
22
11.8
11.8
24
11.1
2
2
2
17
17
18
Togo 27
103
112 SocialCôteAffairs
Environment
d’Ivoire
Finance / Budget / Natural Resources / Energy
Economy
Kenya
Côte
/
Thed’Ivoire
colour coding
Development
ranking of women
a State
b A
of theofcountries
indispute
Palestine (women
existson
parliament
reflects in
between
theministerial
theKenya
percentage positions:

Equatorial
Governments
the right-hand
of women3/23 =
of Argentina
side of the Women heads of stateUruguay
in13%;
Guinea
map. A worldand the
women in
unicameral
United of
ranking
parliament: or
parliaments
Kingdom
womenofinGreat(10/152
data
in not
Kenya= 6.6%)
the available
Britain
ministerial and
as theofPalestine
lower house
(2 chambers),
Northern
positions
parliament,
Ireland
is on
and 1corresponds
Legislative
concerningside
the left-hand
Council was dissolved

Uzbekistan, Viet Nam and Zimbabwe.

sovereignty
of the map.
to the data Kenya
Sub-Saharan Africa
in December
found in the
Maldives
over the Falkland
2018).
world
Islands (Malvinas). Maldives
Nauru
Maldives Kiribati 144 ” Malaysia
Georgia 91 Romania
14.4
14.1
32 / 222
21 / 149 24.4%
19.1
—
Papua
13 / 68
—/—
New
24.1%
21.9
Guinea
24.4%
9272 Kenya
/ 329
9376 Bosnia
/ 349 and30.9
14.7 20 / 136
Herzegovina
21.8 9276
21.4 93 170
Sudan
169 / 349
Kenya
9 Bosnia
Belize 30.9
/ 42Brunei 20.0
21 / 68
3 / 15
21.89.4 93
92
3 / 32
76 / Bosnia
349 and30.9 21.4 21 / 368/ 14
Herzegovina
21.8
21.4 Eritre
7
Democratic Papua New Guinea 92 Kenya 21.8 21 / 68 andDarussalam 21.49.1 949 / Seychelles3 / 33 20.0— 3 /— 15 / —
10 Equatorial Guinea
Women and deputy
women speakers
heads of of parliament(12/193 (147/582 = 25.3%)
145 Guinea-Bissau 13.7 14 / 102 — — / —
Equatorial Guinea has not yetMaldives
New Zealand
Papua New FasoGuinea Herzegovina 42
” 4 Viet Nam 0.0 24 21.1 ” Tuvalu 4 19 ” Lao0.0People’s Democratic
0 Republic 11.1 8 3 27 26 Communications / Telecommunications
Democratic / As
Postal Affairs Sub-Saharan Africa 24.4% 24.1% 24.4% 21.2
government = 6.2%)
21.1 89 165 ctheFinal boundaryon 1between
Januarythe Republic ofsource ofDemocratic
Sudan and thedata
Republic of South Sudan been determined.
Tunisia~ 19
All data reflects situation 2020. the the presented here, Inter-Parliamentary Union is responsible for the criteria applied in displaying the information. 146 Burkina 13.4 17 / 127 — —/—
Botswana 21.16.9 90 4Benin 19 29 Single
93 Bosnia house
13.4 and Upper
9 / Herzegovina — house 21.4 Both94 9 Seychelles
houses 20.0 21.2 94 171 7 Seychelles
/ 33Central African — —/—
Republic 21.28.6 ” 7 /12 ——
Information not 2 available 20.8 ” Vanuatu 5 24 22 ” Malawi
0.0 0
11.1
12
2 18
88 Defence
Employment
Equatorial andGuinea
/Veteran
Labour /Affairs
Vocational Training Democratic 2020Sao Tome and
on thisPrincipe Republic on theof Asia Papua New Guinea ” Malta 67 —
20.5%
/—
16.7% 20.0%
/ 42 3 / 15 33/ 140
Uruguay — /— —/ — 21.2 Suda
20.8 90 166Benin 5 Bahamas 24 20.86.7 ” 5Zimbabwe 1 24 15 ” Oman 11.1 3 27
25 Ecuador Sao Tome and Principe Finance / Budget
The designations
Republic employed and the Union,
© Inter-Parliamentary
of presentation of material map do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever part of UN Women or of the 148 Ghana 94 Seychelles
13.1 36 / 275 — —/— 21.2 ” 7 Uruguay
/ 33 — — / — 21.2 21” / 99Gambia 29.0
(The) 9 / 31 8.6 5 / 58 — — /—
Of the 220 chambers in 166 countries for which information is available, 94 have Women
at least one deputy speakers
speaker. of parliament (147/582 = 25.3%)
Sao Tome and Principe ” Uruguay 21.2 21 / 99 29.0 9 / 31
978-92-9142-758-1

20.8 Democratic 5 People’s 24 Republic of Korea, Haiti, Libya 20.8 ” Viet5Nam 24 22 ”

Ecuador
0.0
Republic of Moldova0 24
11.1 1 9
Ecuador 80 Human
Women’s Rights
Affairs / Gender Equality Republic of Uganda 149 Saint Vincent andor lower
the Grenadines house
13.0 3 / 23 —or Senate
—/— combined (1) Bolivia: Elections held in October 2019 were invalidated, and new elections 96 areHonduras
expected in May 2020. The figures on the map 21.1 2
woman deputy
Inter-Parliamentary Union concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. 96 21Honduras 21.1 correspond
” ”Zimbabwe Mongolia 20.86.7 92 5Central 1 24 15 ” Saint Kitts and Nevis* 11.1 1 9 Sao Tome and Principe Republic of Defence and Veteran Affairs Uganda ” Uruguay 21.2 / 99 29.0 9 / 31 9627173 / to128the situation—
Tonga
Honduras — / 2019 — elections.21.17.4 27 / 128 2 / 27
97 Equatorial—
—
Guinea — / —
—/—
approximately the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir agreed upon by India and Pakistan. The the Congo
African Republic* 20.0 7 35 22 Contacts:
of Jammu and Kashmir Uganda
150 Bahamas 12.8 43.8 prior to the October
Bangladesh (HG), Barbados (HG), Belgium (HG), Bolivia (Plurinational State of) (HS/HG), Denmark (HG), Estonia (HS),
5 / 39 7 / 16
21.0
ublic* 20.0 92 168Central7 China* African 35 Republic* 20.06.5 ” 7Croatia 2 35 31 Ecuador20.0 4 1620 Information 145 Guinea* not available 10.8 4 37
79 Transport
Culture * DottedthelineCongo
represents
Uganda the Congo
Gabon
final status has not yet been agreed
Seychelles
” Dem. Republic of the Congo
Tuvalu 96 Honduras12.8 64 / 500 21.1 23 / 109 Asia 21.1 9727 Equatorial
/ 128 Guinea
— —/— Tuvalu
21.0 9721
(2) South 174 / 100 Benin
Equatorial
Africa: The figures on16.7
Guinea
the distribution12of/ seats
72 in the Upper 21.0 20.5%
House 16.7%
7.2 do not 20.0%
6 / the
21include
/ Bangladesh
100 8336 special — delegates
16.7rotating 12 /— 72 / — on
appointed
20.0 ‡ The 4includes 20and Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, 146 Nepal
Haiti, Libya 10.5 2 19
22 Gabon
the Congo Human Rights Gabon upon by the Inter-Parliamentary
parties. Union (IPU) United Nations Entity for Gender Equality
Seychelles Middle
World East
oneand
averages North Africa Singapore 152 Palau 12.5 2 / 16
17.5%
15.4
24.9%
2 / 13
10.8%
Tuvalu 16.6% 98 (1) 20.9
Bolivia: 7
Electi

Ethiopia (HS), Finland (HG), Georgia (HS), Germany (HG), IcelandOf(HG),

the 220 chambers in 166 countries
(HG),for which (HG),
information is available, 94 have at least woman deputy speaker.
Singapore 9821 Bangladesh 20.9 an98ad73 /basis,
349 — given—are/therefore
—
” total
”Croatia ministers
Iran (Islamic deputy heads
Republic of)* 20.0
of government. Prime
” 4Mauritania
6.5 ministers/heads 20 31were also
2 of government 20.0 5 13 25 147 Nigeria 10.3 3 29
79 Population
Trade / Industry E-mail: postbox@ipu.org and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women)
Nepal (HS), New Zealand Norway UnitedinSeychelles
Rep. Singapore Tuvalu 153 Syrian Arab Republic 97 Equatorial
12.4 31 Guinea
/ 250 — —/—
24.7%
21.0 24.9%/ 100 16.7 12 / 72 175 Kiribati
hocBangladesh and all percentages calculated
20.9on6.5the basis 3 /5446
of the
”73 /results
349
Ireland
permanent —
—seats. — /— —/ —
excluding 20.9
correspond to3
2020

20.0 included 5when

Belize* 25
” 170Mauritania they held ministerial portfolios. Heads of governmental
20.06.3or ”public5Monaco
agencies have not25
1
been included.
16
148 Bhutan 10.0 1 10
16 Gabon Transport a State of Palestine United= The
(women in ministerial Rep.
Seychelles
positions: 3/23 = 13%; women in parliament: data United Rep.
Singapore
not available as the Palestine Legislative Counciil was dissolved December 2018).
Rwanda 154 Liberia 98 Bangladesh
12.3 9 / 73 3.3 1 / 30 20.9 ” 73 Ireland
/ 349 — —/— (3) Namibia:
20.9 ” 33
176 /The158
Ireland
figures on 31.7
Kuwait the National Assembly
19 / 60correspond to the6.3
yet to be appointed. Newly elected members are due20.9
provisional
in33
42020.
/ 63
/ Ukraine
158
of the November
31.7—
2019 elections,
19 /— 60/ — (2) 20.8
20.0 ° The 1
” Government was formed 5 in January 2020 following elections held in 2019.1 20.0 1
11 5 ” Marshall Islands° 10.0 1 10
76 Information
Education / Media Congo United Rep.
www.ipu.org
Note:the(HS/HG) head of state is also theKingdom
www.unwomen.org
head Congo
ofofgovernment. Rwanda of TanzaniaRwanda ” Sierra Leone 12.3 18 / 146 — —/—
Middle East and North Africa
100 Ukraine 20.8 members
88 / 423 — — / — to be sworn100
17.5% 10.8%March
16.6%
South Africa: 8
Monaco
” Sri Lanka° 20.0 6.3 ” Sudan 1 5 16 ‡ The total includes ministers and deputy heads of government.
” Prime
San ministers/heads
Marino of government10.0were also 1 10 b A dispute
Populationc Final boundary between
exists Congo
between Governments
of Tanzania of Argentina and the United Great Britain and Northern Ireland concerning sovereignty over the Falkland Islands (Malvinas). ” Ireland 20.9 33 / 158 31.7 19 / 60 100 ” UkraineTuvalu 20.8 6.3 88 / 1
423 / 16 — — — /— — / — an ad hoc bas
20.0 ~ At 4 of 20the map, data on the Government 20.0 4 held ministerial20 13 Congo Brazil 1
Only elected San Marino (HS), Serbia (HG), Singapore (HS), Slovakia (HS), Switzerland (HS/HG), Trinidad and Tobago (HS)
Rwanda
heads of state have been taken into account.ofyet
Tanzania Pacific
Regional averages Burundi Indonesia
156 Hungary 12.1 24 / 199
16.6%
— — / —
43.8% 19.4% (4) Dominica: The figures correspond to the results of the December 2019 elections. 101 They do not include 9 members to be appointed by the 20.7
Greece (3) Namibia: The6
March

included when they portfolios. Heads of governmental or public agencies have not been included. 5 to 9.9% 100 Ukraine 20.8 101 Greece — 20.7 62
178 /and300Comoros — —/— 6.1 —
” the”time
Sudan publication of
Yemen to be
20.0 formed following
6.3 4 2 the 2019 elections
20 32 was not
Pacific Ocean 15 7 to 19.9% 151 Afghanistan ~ 9.7
Pacific Ocean
3 31 73 Brazil Parliamentary
Public Works
Brazil / Affairs
Territorial Planning of Tanzania the Republic of Sudan and the Republic of South Sudan has not been Burundi
determined.
Note: (HS/HG) = The Indonesia
Burundi
head of state is also the head of government. Indonesia
157 Côte d’Ivoire 12.0 30 / 251 19.2 19 / 99 88 / 423 — / — 101
President Greece 2 ex officio members (the Speaker and the 20.7
Attorney General). 62 / 2
300
” inSlovakia
/ 33 — — /— — / —
20.7
Pacific Ocean Information / Media
yet available. Figures19.9%
correspond to the Government ad interim. ” Liechtenstein 12.0 3 / 25 — —/— members yet t
15 to
173 Tajikistan 5.9 97 15 1to 19.9% 17 ° The Government was formed in January 2020 following elections held in 2019. 11 * Out2020 of a total ofBurundi271 parliamentary chambers, two have 2 additional speakers and three have1 1 additional speaker, for a total of 278 speakers. 101 Greece 20.7 ” 62 Slovakia
/ 300 — — / — 20.7
(5) Peru: 31
The” / 150Marshall
figures
” Slovakia correspond — Islands
to the —
situation / —
prior to the dissolution
20.7 6.1
of Parliament 2 / 33
September
31 / Morocco
150 2019.
— —
New elections
—/— —
are /
due —in 2020.
missions to 4Serbia ~19.0 4 21 152 Kyrgyzstan
Brazil 9.5 2 21
Research and Development / Science and Technology Indonesia 159 Congo 11.3 17 / 151 18.8
2 / 18Timor-Leste
13 / 69
Pacific 16.6% 43.8%
103 19.4% (4) 20.5
Dominica: The8
Pacific Ocean
ISBN

61 © Inter-Parliamentary Union,
19.0 Source:
97 174 4 Data
IPU.
Serbia obtained 21
Kazakhstan
from national governments, permanent
19.05.0 the United Nations
1 21and
20
* publicly At the time of publication of the map, data on the Government 153to Cambodia*
be formed following the 2019 elections 9.4 was not 3 32
Parliamentary Affairs Only elected heads of state have been taken into account. Timor-Leste Timor-Leste
160 Antigua and Barbuda ” Slovakia
11.1 52.9 9 / 17 20.7 10331 Morocco
/ 150 — —/— 20.5
(6) United81
103 States
Solomon / 395 of America:11.7
Islands
”Morocco Solomon Total refers to 14
Islands all voting
/ 120members of20.5 the House
6.1 of Representatives.
3 / 49
81 / Indonesia
395 11.7— 14 /— 120/ —
Portfolios held by Women Ministers Women in Women
the highest
speakerspositions
of parliamentof(57/278
State= 20.5%) World and regional averages
98 Malaysia 18.5 0 Figures 5 correspond
10 27the Government
20 30
154 Brazil 40 50 9.1 60
2 22 70 80 7 90 100 110 * * The composition of IPU regional groupings may be consulted at https://data.ipu.org/content/regional-groupings.
” Myanmar Solomon Islands
11.1 12.1
Solomon /Islands
104 of the Consultative Council appointed in 2001. 20.3 President and1
ap No. 4170 Rev.

48 / 432 27 / 223 (7) Yemen: Data corresponds to the

18.5 available information.
5 Solomon Islands*
98 ”Malaysia 27 18.55.0 ” 5Somalia* 1 27 20 yet available. to ad interim.
60 Foreign Affairs (including Development Assistance) Angola Timor-Leste Regions* are classified by descending order of the percentage
103 Morocco of women in— /unicameral 20.5 104parliaments
81 Indonesia
395 11.7 14 / 120 20.3 104 117
181 / 575 Iran (Islamic
Indonesia —composition —
Republicof the
/— House of Representatives elected
of) 20.3 5.9 117in 2003, 17
/ / and
575 289 — — — /— — / — (5) Peru: The figur
18.5 ” Somalia* 5 27 18.5 IPU. Data 5obtained from national
Source: 27 governments, permanent 155 Philippines*
156 Comoros*
missions to the United Nations and
8.6 3
8.3* publicly1
35
12 Source: Adapted from the Women in Politics 2020 IPU MAP Angola Contacts:
Angola * Out of a total of 271 parliamentary chambers, two have 2 additional speakers and three have 1 additional speaker, for a total of 278 speakers.
Solomon Islands
162 Botswana
163 Nauru 104
10.8
Indonesia
10.5
7 / 65
2 / 19
—
— —/—
—
20.3 ” 117 Mauritania
/ 575 — — / — 20.3 31
182 / 153Sri Lanka — — / — 5.3 ” 12 Mauritania
/ 225 — — / — (6) 20.3
United States
18.5 100 5Timor-Leste* 2 to274.9% 60Peru ” Mauritania 20.3 31 / Pakistan
153 — —/—
18.2 100176Timor-Leste*
2 Iraq 11 18.2 information.
available 2 11 ” Tonga* 56 Peru
8.3 1 12 0 10 20
Peru 30 40Home Affairs50 / Immigration
Angola70 (including80Integration 90 and refugees)
100 110 Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) United Nations Entity for Gender Equality or the lower house of parliament. 164 Samoa
” Mauritania* The composition
10.0 5 / 50 — — / —of IPU regional groupings may be consulted at https://data.ipu.org/content/regional-groupings.
20.3 10631 Pakistan 20.2 10669 Pakistan
/ 342 19.2 20 / 104 106
19.20.1 to 20 / 4.9%
(7) 20.2
Yemen: Data co6
Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Bolivia of women in parliament
18.24.5 101 2Eritrea* 1 11 22 158 Uzbekistan 8.0 2 25
(1451 portfolios in 190 countries) 5 to 9.9% / 153 — —/— Samoa 20.2 69 / Barbados
342 104
17.6 101177Eritrea*
3 Bahrain 17 17.6 3 17 Peru 159 Bangladesh 50 7.7 2 26
Agriculture / Food / Forestry / Fishing
E-mail: postbox@ipu.org and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women)
Zambia 165 Japan 106 Pakistan 9.9 46 / 464 22.9Samoa 56 / 245 20.2 10769 Barbados
/ 342 19.2 Samoa
20 / 104 20.0 107183 6 Barbados
/ 30Lebanon 42.9 9 / 21 107
4.7 ” 6 / 6Cambodia / 128 42.9— — /—
20.0

parliaments.
17.64.3 ” 3Romania 1 17 23 17.6 3 17 ” Lithuania 7.7 1 13 www.ip p u.orgg Zambia www.unwomen.org g Zambia Samoa
166 Qatar 9.8 4 / 41 — — / — 20.0 30 9 / 21 20.0
17.6 ” 178Romania 3 Myanmar 17 17.63.8 ” 3Suriname 1 17 26 17.6 3 17 161 Lesotho 47 7.4 2 27
Health 112 Zambia
Family / Children / Youth / Elderly / Disabled
(Plurinational State of), Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, DemocraticIndian
Republic of the Congo, Dominica,Indian
Ocean Equatorial Nordic
Indian countries
Ocean 167 Eswatini 107 Barbados 9.6 7 / 73 43.9%
33.3 10 / 30 20.0 —
” 6 Cambodia
/ 30 42.9 —
9 / 21 20.0 ” 25
184 / 125 Maldives
Cambodia 16.1 10 / 62 20.04.6 ”25 / Mauritius 4 / 87
125 16.1— 10 /— 62/ — 20.0
17.6 ” 179Suriname3 Turkmenistan 17 17.63.7 104 3Democratic1 17 27
Republic of the Congo 17.4 8 46
162 Armenia
” Equatorial Guinea
7.1
7.1
1
2
14
28 Bolivia Bolivia
112 Social Affairs Women heads of state1 (10/152 = 6.6%) Ocean 168 Mali
169 Belize
” Cambodia 9.5
9.4
14 / 147
3 / 32
—
21.4
—/—
3 / 14
20.0 ” 25 Mauritius
/ 125 16.1 10 / 62 20.0 14Mauritius
” 185 / 70 Nigeria — —/— 20.03.4 ”14 12 70/ 350Kitts—
/Saint and7.3Nevis — /8— / 109 20.0
 Oman parliaments or in the lower house
The colour coding of the countries reflects the percentage of women in unicameral Bangladesh
of parliament, and corresponds to the data found in the world 77 Republic of Moldova 24.8 25
134 / 101 Chad —
ranking
Yemen The designations employed and the presentation of material on thisMicronesia
map do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of UN 78 Women
Somalia or of the 24.4 67”/ 275 Jordan24.1
Chadof women in parliament on the right-hand side of the map. A world rankingJordanof women in ministerial positions is on the left-hand side of the map. (Fed.
Inter-Parliamentary Union concerning the legal status of any country, States
territory, of)
city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of79
its frontiers
Lithuania or boundaries. 24.1 34
136 / 141 Egypt —

Women in Politics: 2020

All data reflects the situation on 1 January 2020. As the source of the data presented here, Inter-Parliamentary Union is responsible for the criteria applied in displaying the information. Palau 80 Singapore 24.0 24 / 100 Bahrain—
Burkina Eritrea Falkland Islands b 137

W
* Dotted line represents approximately the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir agreed upon by India and Pakistan. The final status of Jammu81andArmenia Kashmir has not yet been agreed
Faso The designations employed and the presentation of material on this map do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of UN Women or of the Marshall Islands 23.5 31 / 132 —
Djibouti
Inter-Parliamentary Union concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area(Malvinas)
upon by the parties.
or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries.
82 United States of America (6) 23.4 101
138/ 431 Bhutan25.0
Nigeria a State of Palestine (women in ministerial positions: 3/23 = 13%; women in parliament: data not available as the Palestine Legislative Council was 83 dissolved
Israel in December 2018). 23.3 28
139 / 120 Gabon —
South
* Dotted line represents approximately the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir agreed upon by India and Pakistan. The final status of Jammu and Kashmir has not yet been agreed ” Lesotho 23.3 28
140 / 120 Brazil 21.9
ands b b A dispute exists between the Governments of Argentina and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland concerning sovereignty 85 over the Falkland Islands (Malvinas).
Malawi 22.9 — and P
upon by the parties.Sudanc Ethiopia Sri Lanka Brunei 44
141 / 192 Sao Tome
s) 86 Guinea 22.8 26
142 / 114 India —
a Central
State ofAfrican
Palestine (women in ministerial positions: 3/23 = 13%; women in parliament: data not available as the Palestine Legislative Council was dissolved Darussalam
in cDecember
Final boundary
2018). between the Republic of Sudan and the Republic of South Sudan has not yet been determined. 87 Chile 22.6 35”/ 155 Malaysia 23.3
Rep.
Cameroon b A dispute 88 Czechia 22.5 45
144 / 200 Georgia 14.8
R

Benin exists between the Governments of Argentina and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland concerning sovereignty over the Falkland © Inter-Parliamentary Union, 2020
Islands (Malvinas).
” Panama 22.5 16
145/ 71Guinea-Bissau —
Somalia New Zealand
c Final boundary between the Republic of Sudan and the Republic of South Sudan has not yet been determined. Malaysia
Contacts:
90 Venezuela (Bolivarian Rep. of) 22.2 37
146 / 167 Burkina— Faso
Côte d’Ivoire Nauru Kiribati 91 Romania 21.9 72”/ 329 Malta 14.7

Situation on 1 January 2020

© Inter-Parliamentary Union, 2020 Kenya Maldives 92 Kenya 21.8 76
148 / 349 Ghana 30.9
Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) United Nations Entity for Gender Equality 93 Bosnia and Herzegovina 21.4 9 / 42Saint Vincent 20.0 an
Equatorial Guinea Democratic E-mail: postbox@ipu.org Papua New andGuinea
the Empowerment of Women (UN Women)
149
Contacts: 94 Seychelles 21.2 7 / 33Bahamas
150 —
Sao Tome and Principe Republic of www.ipu.org www.unwomen.org ” Uruguay 21.2 21” / 99Dem. Republic 29.0
Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) United Nations Entity forUganda
Gender Equality 96 Honduras 21.1 27
152 / 128 Palau —
the Congo
E-mail: postbox@ipu.org and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) Tuvalu 97 Equatorial Guinea 21.0 21
153 / 100 Syrian 16.7Arab Re
Gabon Seychelles Singapore 98 Bangladesh 20.9 73
154 / 349 Liberia —
www.ipu.org United Rep. www.unwomen.org ” Ireland 20.9 33”/ 158 31.7
Sierra Leone
Congo Rwanda 100 Ukraine 20.8 88
156 / 423 Hungary—
of Tanzania

Portfolios held by Women Ministers Women in the highest positions of State W

Burundi 101 Greece 20.7 62
157 / 300 —
Côte d’Ivoire
Indonesia ” Slovakia 20.7 31”/ 150 —
Liechtenstein
Timor-Leste Solomon Islands
103 Morocco 20.5 81
159 / 395 Congo 11.7
104 Indonesia 20.3 117
160/ 575 Antigua— and Ba

sters Women in the highest positions of State World and regional averages
Angola Greenland ” Mauritania 20.3 31”/ 153 Myanmar —
(1451 portfolios in 190 countries) (Denmark)
Samoa
106 Pakistan 20.2 69
162 / 342 Botswana 19.2
Zambia 107 Barbados 20.0 6 / 30Nauru 42.9
163
” Cambodia 20.0 25
164 / 125 Samoa16.1
Indian Ocean Family / Children / Youth / Elderly / Disabled
ofWomen
women in (10/152
parliament
112 ” Mauritius 20.0 14 / 70 —

Zimbabwe heads of state

112
= 6.6%)
Social Affairs
Environment
Iceland Norway
1 ” Saint Kitts and Nevis 20.0 3 / 15Japan
165
166 Qatar 15 to
Comoros/ Natural Resources / Energy
103 111 Saudi Arabia 19.9 30 / 151 —
/ Elderly / Disabled Sweden 167 Eswatini
Namibia and women heads of government (12/193 = 6.2%)
88 Employment / Labour / Vocational Training Latvia Vanuatu 112 Cyprus 19.6 168/ 56Mali —
11

esources / Energy
Canada
80 Women heads of state (10/152 = 6.6%)
Mauritius
Women’s Affairs / Gender Equality
1 Estonia
Belarus
Lithuania
Liechtenstein
Russian Federation ” Fiji
114 Croatia
19.6
19.2
169/ 51Belize —
10
—
Botswana 79 Malawi
Culture Bangladesh (HG), Barbados (HG), Belgium (HG), Bolivia (Plurinational State of) (HS/HG), Denmark (HG), Estonia (HS),
Fiji
29
170 / 151 Brunei Darussa
antic Ocean
ocational Training 79 and women heads of government (12/193 = 6.2%)
Trade / Industry
Mozambique
Czechia Finland Austria
Slovakia
Single house
Ethiopia (HS), Finland (HG), Georgia (HS), Germany (HG), Iceland (HG), Nepal (HS), New Zealand (HG), Norway (HG),
Upper house ” Kyrgyzstan
Both houses
116 Guatemala
19.2
19.0
23
171 / 120
30”/ 158
Central —
Gambia—
African
(The) World
er Equality Slovenia or lower house or Senate ” combined
Tajikistan 19.0 12
173 / 63Tonga 21.9
76 Education
Madagascar
Bangladesh (HG), Barbados (HG), Belgium (HG), Bolivia (Plurinational State of) (HS/HG), Denmark (HG), Estonia (HS),
73
Eswatini United Kingdom
PublicNetherlands
Works / Territorial Planning
Ukraine San Marino (HS), Serbia (HG), Singapore (HS), Slovakia (HS), Switzerland (HS/HG), Trinidad and Tobago (HS) 118 Togo
119 Colombia
18.7
18.3
174/ 91Benin —
17
Kiribati21.7 Regio
Ethiopia (HS), Finland (HG), Georgia (HS), Germany (HG), Iceland (HG), Nepal (HS), New Zealand (HG), Norway (HG),
Research
Denmark Hungary
Australia World averages 24.9% 24.7% 120 24.9%
Dem. People’s Rep. of Korea 17.6
31
175
121
/ 169
176/ 687 Kuwait —
Irelandand Development / Science and Technology
61 Croatia Tonga
121 Jamaica 17.5 11” / 63Tuvalu 23.8
l Planning
60 Lesotho Foreign Affairs (including Development Assistance)
San Marino (HS), Serbia (HG), Singapore (HS), Slovakia (HS), Switzerland (HS/HG), Trinidad and Tobago (HS)
Belgium Poland
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Rep. of Moldova Kazakhstan
Women
Regional speakers of parliament (57/278 = 20.5%)
averages
*
122 Mongolia 17.3 13
178 / 75 Regions
Comoros —
56South HomeLuxembourg
Affairs / Immigration (including IntegrationGermany and refugees) ” Republic of Korea 17.3 51”/ 295 or —
Marshall theIslandlo
ent / Science and Technology 50 Africa Agriculture / Food / Forestry / Fishing
Romania
Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Bolivia ” Turkey 17.3 102” / 589 Solomon —Island
g Development Assistance) 47 Women speakers of parliament (57/278 = 20.5%)
Health
*
France
Serbia
Montenegro
Georgia
Armenia Regions* are classified by Mongolia
descending order of the percentage of
(Plurinational State of), Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Dominica, Equatorial
women in unicameral 125 Niger
parliaments
126 Azerbaijan
17.0
16.8
29
181
20
182
/ 171
/ 119
— Re
Iran (Islamic
Nordic
Sri Lanka —
on (including Integration and refugees) 40 Housing / Urban Affairs
Azerbaijanor the lower house of parliament. ” Zambia 16.8 28 / 167 —
stry / Fishing Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Bolivia
Switzerland
Guinea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia (The), Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, 128 Saint Lucia 16.7 3 / 18Lebanon
183 27.3

Source: IPU. Data provided by national parliaments.

Bulgaria
40
United States of America Justice
Italy Uzbekistan
Nordic countries 43.9% —
Japan
129 Paraguay
—of Korea 16.3 13 / 80
184 Maldives Americ
20.0
33 (Plurinational State of), Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Dominica, Equatorial
SportsMonaco North Macedonia Latvia, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mexico (2 chambers), Mozambique, Netherlands, Norway, Poland,
Kyrgyzstan
Dem. People’s Rep.
130 Thailand 16.2 81
185 / 500 Nigeria10.4
Guinea,About this Gabon,
mapGambia (The), Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Republic131 Libya
of Korea 16.0 30
186 / 188 Haiti —
32 Eswatini, Ethiopia, LocalSan Marino
Government Spain
Republic of Moldova, Russian Federation, Rwanda, Saint Lucia, San Marino, Serbia, South Africa, Spain (2 chambers), Europe
31 Tourism
Albania
Greece Turkey
Turkmenistan Americas Tajikistan
Jammu and Kashmir*
31.1% 32.1% 132 31.3%
Madagascar
133 Russian Federation
15.9
15.8
24
187
71
188
/ 151
/ 450
Oman
Yemen (7)
19.4
17.1
The colour coding of the30 Latvia, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mexico (2 chambers), Mozambique, Netherlands, Norway, Poland,
countries reflects the percentage of women in unicameral parliaments or in the lower house of parliament, and corresponds to the data found
Bahamas Public Administration / Public Service in
Andorra the world Suriname, Switzerland, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago (2 chambers), Turkmenistan, Uganda, United States of America,
China 134 Chad 15.4 25 / 162
Europe—
ranking of women in parliament on the right-hand side of the map. A world ranking of women in ministerial positions is onPortugal the left-hand side of the map.
Republic of Moldova, Russian Federation, Rwanda, Saint Lucia, San Marino, Serbia, South Africa, Spain (2 chambers),
Economy / Development Cyprus Syrian Arab Rep. Europe (Nordic countries included) 30.1% 29.1% ” 29.9%
Jordan 15.4 20
189 / 130 Micronesia 15.4 (Fed
27
All data reflects the 26
situation on 1 January 2020. As the source of the data presented here,
Cuba
Inter-Parliamentary Union is responsible Malta for the criteria applied in displaying the information. Uruguay (2 chambers), Uzbekistan, Viet Nam and Zimbabwe.
Afghanistan 136 Egypt 15.1 90 / 596
” Papua New — Gui
Jamaica Communications / Telecommunications / Postal Affairs
Suriname, Switzerland, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago (2 chambers), Turkmenistan, Uganda, United States of America,
Lebanon Iran 137 Bahrain 15.0 6”/ 40Vanuatu 22.5
Sub-Sa
ublic Service The designations employed
25 and the presentation of material on this map do not implyHaiti Tunisia
the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of UN Women
Finance / Budget or of the
Morocco Israel
a
Iraq
(Islamic Rep. of) Europe (Nordic countries not included)
Bhutan 28.7% 29.1% 28.8% 10 to
Uruguay (2 chambers), Uzbekistan, Viet Nam and Zimbabwe.
Inter-Parliamentary Union concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city orDominican
22
area or ofRepublic
its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries.
Defence and Veteran Affairs
a
Women deputy speakers of parliament (147/582 = 25.3%) 138 Bhutan
139 Gabon
14.9
14.8
7Eritrea
/ 47
21 / 142
16.0
18.0
ommunications* Dotted
/ Postalline
Affairs
represents approximately the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir agreed upon by India and Pakistan. The final status of Jammu and Kashmir has Algeria not yet been agreedLibya Sub-Saharan Africa Nepal 24.4% 24.1% 140 24.4%
Brazil 14.6 / 513 Asia
75Sudan 13.6
22
upon by the parties.
Mexico Human Rights Pakistan
Of the 220 chambers in 166 countries for which information is available, 94 have at least one woman deputy speaker. 141 Sao Tome and Principe 14.5 8 / 55 —
fairs a State
16
of Palestine (women in ministerial positions: 3/23 = 13%; women in parliament: data not
Women deputy speakers of parliament (147/582 = 25.3%)
available as the
Transport
Palestine
Western Sahara
Legislative Council was dissolved in December 2018).
Egypt
Asia
Kuwait 20.5% Lao People’s
16.7% Dem.
142
Republic
India
” 20.0%
14.4 78 / 543 10.4
Middle
13 Population Indiahead of government. Viet Nam
Malaysia
144 Georgia
14.4 32 / 222
(1) Bolivia:
14.1 21 Elections
/ 149 held in —
19.1
October 20
Note: (HS/HG) = The head of state is also the
Of the 220 chambers in 166 countries for which information is available, 94 have at least one woman deputy speaker.
b A11dispute exists between the Governments of Argentina and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland Information
concerning
Cabo Verde / Media
sovereignty over the Falkland Islands (Malvinas). Saudi Bahrain Myanmar
Thailand 145 Guinea-Bissau 13.7
correspond to the situation prior to the
(2) South14 / 102 —the distrib
127 and Pacific
Saintdetermined.
Kitts and Nevis 1 Qatarof state have
Only elected heads New beenZealand
taken into account. Africa: The figures on
c7 Final boundary between the Republic of Sudan and the Republic of South Sudan has not yet been Parliamentary Affairs Arabia Middle East and North Africa 17.5% 10.8%
Cambodia 146 16.6%
Burkina Faso 13.4 an ad17 hoc/ basis, —
all percentages g
Belize
Antigua and Barbuda Mauritania * Out of a total ofUnited Arab
271 parliamentary chambers, two have 2 additional speakers and three have 1 additional speaker, for aPhilippines
total of 278 speakers. ” Malta 13.4
(3) Namibia: 9 /The — Nationa
67 figures on the
0 © Inter-Parliamentary
10 20 Union,
30 2020 40 50 60 Note:
70 (HS/HG) =80The head of90state is also the head of110
Dominica
100 government. Mali Niger Emirates 148 Ghana 13.1 members
36 /yet
275to be appointed.
* The— Newly e
comp
Guatemala Sudan c

Honduras
1
Only elected heads of state have beenSainttaken
Luciainto account. Yemen Pacific
Oman Bangladesh 16.6% 43.8% 149 19.4%
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 13.0
Micronesia
(4) Dominica: The figures correspond to th
3 / 23 —
President and 2 ex officio members (th
Contacts: Chad Jordan 150 Bahamas 12.8 5 /figures
39 correspond 43.8
El Salvador * Out of a total of 271 parliamentary Saint Vincent
chambers, two have 2 additional speakers and three have 1 additional speaker, for a total of 278 speakers.
Senegal ” (Fed.
Dem. States of) of the Congo
Republic
(5) Peru: The
12.8
(6) 64
United / 500
States of America:21.1
to the sit
Total refers
and the Grenadines Burkina Eritrea Palau
Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU)
Nicaragua United Nations Entity for GenderGrenada Equality Gambia (The) * The composition of IPU regional groupings may be consulted at https://data.ipu.org/content/regional-groupings. 152 Palau 12.5 Marshall
(7) Yemen: 2 / 16
DataIslands 15.4
corresponds to the composi
Trinidad and Tobago Faso Djibouti 153 Syrian Arab Republic 12.4 31 / 250 —
E-mail: postbox@ipu.org Costa Rica and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) Guinea-Bissau
Venezuela Barbados Nigeria South 154 Liberia 12.3 9 / 73 3.3
www.ipu.org Panama www.unwomen.org (Bolivarian Guinea
Guyana Sudanc Ethiopia Sri Lanka Brunei ” Sierra Leone 12.3 18 / 146 —
Republic of) Sierra Leone Central African Darussalam 156 Hungary 12.1 24 / 199 —
Suriname
Liberia Cameroon Rep. 157 Côte d’Ivoire 12.0 30 / 251 19.2
Colombia Benin ” Liechtenstein 12.0 3 / 25 —
Ghana Somalia
Malaysia 159 Congo 11.3 17 / 151 18.8
Togo Côte d’Ivoire 160 Antigua and Barbuda Nauru 11.1 Kiribati
2 / 18 52.9

Women in the highest positions of State World and regional averages

Kenya Maldives
Equatorial Guinea Democratic Papua New Guinea” Myanmar 11.1 48 / 432 12.1
162 Botswana 10.8 7 / 65 —
Ecuador Sao Tome and Principe Republic of 163 Nauru 10.5 2 / 19 —
the Congo Uganda 164 Samoa 10.0 5 / 50 —

of women in parliament
Gabon Seychelles Tuvalu 5 to
Singapore
United Rep. 165 Japan 9.9 46 / 464 22.9
Congo Rwanda 1
of Tanzania 166 Qatar 9.8 4 / 41 —
Brazil Burundi Indonesia
Pacific Ocean 167 Eswatini 9.6 7 / 73 33.3
Timor-Leste 168 Mali 9.5 14 / 147 — 1

Women heads of state (10/152 = 6.6%)

Peru
1 Angola 169 Belize
170 Brunei Darussalam
Solomon Islands
9.4
9.1
3 / 32
3 / 33
21.4
—
1

1
Samoa —
and women heads of government (12/193 = 6.2%) Zambia Single house
Indian Ocean
Upper house Both houses 171 Central African Republic
” Gambia (The)
8.6
8.6
12 / 140
5 / 58 —
1

Bolivia or lower house or Senate combined 173 Tonga 7.4 2 / 27 —

Bangladesh (HG), Barbados (HG), Belgium (HG), Bolivia (Plurinational State of) (HS/HG), Denmark (HG), Estonia (HS),
(Plurinational Zimbabwe
Comoros
174 Benin 7.2 6 / 83 —
State of)
Ethiopia (HS), Finland (HG), Georgia (HS), Germany (HG), Iceland (HG), Nepal (HS), New Zealand (HG), Norway (HG), Namibia World averages Mauritius 24.9% 24.7% 24.9% 175 Kiribati Vanuatu
176 Kuwait
6.5
6.3
3 / 46
4 / 63
—
—
Botswana Malawi ” Tuvalu 6.3 1 / 16 —
San Marino (HS), Serbia (HG), Singapore (HS), Slovakia (HS), Switzerland (HS/HG), Trinidad and Tobago (HS)
Paraguay Atlantic Ocean Regional averages Mozambique 178 Comoros Fiji 6.1 2 / 33 —
” Marshall Islands 6.1 2 / 33 —
Eswatini Madagascar ” Solomon Islands 6.1 3 / 49 —
Women speakers of parliament (57/278 = 20.5%) * Regions* are classified by descending order of the percentage of women in unicameral parliaments
Lesotho
Australia 181 Iran (Islamic Republic of)
182 Sri Lanka
5.9
5.3
17 / 289
Tonga12 / 225
—
—
1
or the lower house of parliament. 0.1 to 1
Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Bolivia South 183 Lebanon 4.7 6 / 128 —

Source: IPU. Data provided by national parliaments.

Africa
(Plurinational State of), Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Dominica, Equatorial
Uruguay
Nordic countries 43.9% — — 184 Maldives
185 Nigeria
4.6
3.4
4 / 87
12 / 350
—
7.3
1
1
186 Haiti 2.5 3 / 118 0.0
Guinea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia (The), Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Americas 31.1% 32.1% 31.3% 187 Oman 2.3 2 / 86 17.4
1
1
188 Yemen (7) 0.3 1 / 301 2.7 1
Latvia, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mexico (2 chambers), Mozambique, Netherlands, Norway, Poland,
Chile
Argentina
About this map 1
1

Republic of Moldova, Russian Federation, Rwanda, Saint Lucia, San Marino, Serbia, South Africa, Spain (2 chambers), Europe (Nordic countries included) 30.1% 29.1% 29.9% 189 Micronesia (Federated States of) 0.0 0 / 14 — 1
The colour coding of the countries reflects the percentage of women in unicameral parliaments or in the lower house of parliament, and corresponds to the data found in the world ” Papua New Guinea 0.0 0 / 111 — 1
ranking of women in parliament on the right-hand side of the map. A world ranking of women in ministerial positions is on the left-hand side of the map. ” Vanuatu 0.0 0 / 52 —
Suriname, Switzerland, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago (2 chambers), Turkmenistan, Uganda, United States of America, Europe
All data reflects the situation on 1 January 2020. As the source of the (Nordic
data presented countries
here, Inter-Parliamentary not
Union included)
is responsible displaying the information. 29.1%
for the criteria applied in28.7% 28.8% Information not ava
1
1

Uruguay (2 chambers), Uzbekistan, Viet Nam and Zimbabwe. The designations employed and the presentation of material on this map do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of UN Women or of the
Inter-Parliamentary Union concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries.
Eritrea
No parliament on 1 January 1
Sub-Saharan Africa 24.4%has not yet been agreed24.1% 24.4% 1
Falkland Islands b * Dotted line represents approximately the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir agreed upon by India and Pakistan. The final status of Jammu and Kashmir Sudan 1

Women deputy speakers of parliament

(Malvinas) (147/582 = 25.3%) upon by the parties.
a State of Palestine (women in ministerial positions: 3/23 = 13%; women in parliament: data not available as the Palestine Legislative Council was dissolved in December 2018).
Asia 20.5% 16.7% 20.0%
1

b A dispute exists between the Governments of Argentina and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland concerning sovereignty over the Falkland Islands (Malvinas). (1) Bolivia: Elections held in October 2019 were invalidated, and new elections are expected in May 2020. The fi1
Of the 220 chambers in 166 countries for which information is available, 94 have at least one woman deputy speaker.
c Final boundary between the Republic of Sudan and the Republic of South Sudan has not yet been determined.
New
(2)
Zealand
correspond to the situation prior to the October 2019 elections.
South Africa: The figures on the distribution of seats in the Upper House do not include the 36 special rotating deleg1
1

© Inter-Parliamentary Union, 2020 Middle East and North Africa 17.5% 10.8% 16.6% (3)
an ad hoc basis, and all percentages given are therefore calculated on the basis of the 54 permanent seats.
Namibia: The figures on the National Assembly correspond to the provisional results of the November 2019 e1
1
Note: (HS/HG) = The head of state is also the head of government. Contacts: members yet to be appointed. Newly elected members are due to be sworn in March 2020. 1
1
Only elected heads of state have been taken into account. Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Pacific
United Nations Entity for Gender Equality 16.6% 43.8% 19.4% (4) Dominica: The figures correspond to the results of the December 2019 elections. They do not include 9 members to b
President and 2 ex officio members (the Speaker and the Attorney General). 1
(5) Peru: The figures correspond to the situation prior to the dissolution of Parliament in September 2019. New election1
* Out of a total of 271 parliamentary chambers, two have 2 additional speakers and three have 1 additional speaker, for a total of 278 speakers. E-mail: postbox@ipu.org and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women)
(6) United States of America: Total refers to all voting members of the House of Representatives. 1
www.ipu.org www.unwomen.org
* The composition of IPU regional groupings may be consulted at https://data.ipu.org/content/regional-groupings. (7) Yemen: Data corresponds to the composition of the House of Representatives elected in 2003, and of the Consultative Counc
1
1

1
1

Portfolios held by Women Ministers Women in the highest positions of State World and regional averages 1
1
1
(1451 portfolios in 190 countries) 24 25 of women in parliament 1
1
112 Family / Children / Youth / Elderly / Disabled 1
1
112 Social Affairs Women heads of state1 (10/152 = 6.6%) 1
 Violence Against Women in Politics kofiannanfoundation.org

While for some decades there has been an increasing Parity is a strategic process that tackles the male monopoly
demand for equality between men and women, policies seriously aiming to achieve on political power. It seeks an equitable power balance between men and women and
substantive equality have only been designed and discussed in the last 25 years. In proposes that all areas of society be transformed, including the economic, social, cultural and
different countries, compensatory measures have been designed to reduce these private spheres (Cobo, 2002). Unlike quotas, parity is not temporary: it is a definitive measure
representation gaps, the most common being gender quotas. that implies a new social contract whereby women can participate effectively, thus paving the

The Political Science Professor Drude Dehlerup says there are three types of quotas: way for substantive equality. This means that beyond the recognition of laws, it eliminates any

constitutional, legislative and political party quotas (IDEA, 2004). In 1991, Argentina was gender-based distinction, exclusion or restriction that could nullify individual enjoyment and

the first country to implement this kind of measure and 81 countries currently have some exercise of rights.

type of quota (UN, 2020). Quotas are an extremely effective way to increase women’s
presence in spaces from which they have been excluded historically. However, they are
often understood as participatory ceilings rather than minimums which, in the long run,
can mean that the percentage of female representation will stagnate.

One iconic case is that of Rwanda, where Unfortunately, women’s arrival in politics has
gender quotas resulted in a parliament with taken place against the backdrop of increased
more women than men. This promoted gender- incidents of violence, reflecting the
focused policies and an exemplary Supreme discrimination, roles and stereotypes that exist
Court where women are also in the majority. around how women are, should be and should
behave due to the sexism and misogyny that
One recent significant advance is the principle of gender parity, whereby 50 percent of prevail in contemporary societies.
decision-making spaces are occupied by women. This has been approved in 13 countries,
mostly in Latin America: France, Belgium, Spain, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Bolivia, Senegal,
Tunisia, Nicaragua, Mexico, Honduras, Argentina and Peru (REPOL, 2020) (Alanís, 2019).

The doctrinal basis of parity is political representation, understood as a mechanism

through which the decisional link between the governors and the governed is formed, and
has to do with the basic opposition within a representative political regime. Under the
principle of political representation, social groups with some level of presence in society
should be represented in government in a similar proportion in order to protect their
interests. Indeed, the main proposal of the 1992 Athens Declaration was that if
approximately half of the world’s population are women, then they should be represented
in this proportion in decision-making bodies.

26 27
 Violence Against Women in Politics kofiannanfoundation.org

V. What is violence against women in politics? The most significant conceptual advance has • Report of the Special Rapporteur on
been the thematic report presented by Dr violence against women, its causes and
Dubravka Šimonović — UN Special Rapporteur consequences on violence against women
on Violence against Women, its causes and in politics, Ms. Dubravka Šimonović (UN,
consequences — on violence against women in 2018).
There is an interesting debate about politics to the 73rd session of the UN General
• The recommendations made by the
Assembly (September 2018):
whether violence against women “Men and women can both
CEDAW Committee of Experts have
become references for states parties.
in politics should be analyzed as a experience violence in politics. However, to date, no specific
recommendations have been made
separate type (Krook, 2017) (Piscopo, Such acts of violence against women,
however, target them because of their gender
regarding violence against women in

2017), or whether this kind of violence and take gender-based forms, such as sexist
threats or sexual harassment and violence.
politics. Recommendations 19 (violence
against women) and 35 (gender-based

is simply a subcategory of violence Their aim is to discourage women from being

violence against women, updating
General Recommendation No. 19) do
in general, which is a product of the politically active and exercising their human
rights and to influence, restrict or prevent the
mention crimes committed against
women, female human rights defenders,
weakness of the state and judicial political participation of individual women
and women as a group. Such violence,
female politicians, female activists and

systems (Piscopo, 2016). including in and beyond elections, consists of

any act of gender-based violence, or threat of
female journalists, but do not make any
specific recommendations regarding
violence against women in politics,
such acts, that results in, or is likely to result
despite referring to violence in the public
Political violence should be understood as state assistance in their national efforts to in, physical, sexual or psychological harm or
sphere.
an independent kind of violence against “investigate allegations of violence, assault or suffering and is directed against a woman in
women, because it involves violating their harassment of women elected officials and politics because she is a woman, or affects
political rights to vote, to be elected, to candidates for political office, create an women disproportionately.” The adoption of the Declaration on Political
form political associations and to hold environment of zero tolerance for such There are very few international Violence and Harassment against Women is
evidence of the relevance that this issue has
public office, and which can manifest itself offences and, to ensure accountability, take all instruments to identify violence
through different types of universally appropriate steps to prosecute those acquired at the regional level where, despite the
against women in politics: fact that political violence is a serious problem,
recognized violence including feminicide, responsible” (UN, 2018).
sexual, psychological and moral violence only Bolivia, Mexico, Argentina and Ecuador
(Alanís, 2017). • The “Declaration on Political have approved legal reforms.

In reality, the definition and formal

Hence, the initial major global effort must Harassment and Violence against
According to Article 2 of the Belém do Pará
focus on formally recognizing it in Women” adopted at the Sixth Conference
classification (crime or offense) in national law Convention, violence against women and,
international treaties and national laws as of the States Parties to the Inter-American
of violence against women in politics has not therefore, political violence, can be physical,
a form of violence, identifying the types of Convention on the Prevention,
advanced, nor has it progressed in formal sexual or psychological, and can take place in
behavior that constitute violence, putting Punishment, and Eradication of Violence
recommendations at the international level. both the public and private spheres.
Against Women (CIM-MESECVI, 2015)
There is enormous resistance worldwide. exemplary sanctions in place, identifying
The Convention recognizes that violence against
the proper authorities for dealing with and • The Inter-American Model Law on the
In 2012, the United Nations General Assembly women is a manifestation of the historically
punishing violent behavior, punishing Prevention, Punishment and Eradication
unequal power relations between men and
adopted Resolution 66/130 (UN, 2011) on
offenders and providing mechanisms to of Violence against Women in Political Life
women and constitutes a human rights violation,
women’s political participation. This called on
protect women and restore their violated from the Organization of American States
therefore making it an assault on human dignity.
all states to act and asked the United Nations
system and other organizations to consolidate
rights. (OAS, 2017)
It also points out that violence against women

28 29
 Violence Against Women in Politics kofiannanfoundation.org

cuts across all sectors of society regardless of women in politics can be found in the United women in various countries still have to ask between 2006 and 2010, showing that men
class, race or ethnicity, education or income, Nations Special Rapporteur’s report. It defines their husbands’ permission to be able to run for and women have different experiences with
culture, age or religion. violence against women as “any act of gender- office or hold elected office. political violence (2017). Women are up to
based violence, or threat of such acts, that three times more likely to be sexually and
The Inter-American Court of Human Rights has V.I How does this type of
results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual non-physically attacked, while men are up to
recognized that gender-based violence is a
or psychological harm or suffering and is
violence manifest? three times more likely to experience more
form of discrimination against women.
directed against a woman in politics because As mentioned above, political violence against public forms of violence, such as political
In Recommendation 19 of the Committee on she is a woman, or affects women women is a problem that ranges from the assassination and violence in the streets.
the Elimination of Discrimination against disproportionately”. The aim of violence family environment, which often makes it
“Women reported being beaten, raped, burned
Women it points out that violence against against women in politics is to preserve difficult for women to vote and be voted for, to
and mutilated by men who wanted to punish or
women contributes to maintaining their traditional gender roles and stereotypes and to the public environment, where women
coerce their political choices or prevent them
subordination, restricts them to a lower level of maintain structural and gender inequalities. It systematically face barriers that prevent them
from participating in a political activity like
education, affords them fewer opportunities can take many forms, from misogynist and from reaching and holding public office. It can
voting or running for office, because they are
and limits their political participation. sexist verbal attacks to the more frequent acts even manifest itself in sexual or physical
female. When general political violence
The Inter-American Court of Human Rights has of sexual harassment that are increasingly violence, including murder. The behaviors
occurred against both men and women,
stated that “in cases of violence perpetrated perpetrated online, or even femicide (UN, behind political violence can have an impact
women were much more likely to experience
against women, apart from their generic 2018). on the three fundamental stages of the
sexualized forms of violence, including rape,
obligations under the American Convention, electoral cycle: the pre-election period, the
The report also contains tools to identify who sexual assault and ‘virginity tests’” (Bardall,
States also have a heightened obligation under election period and the post-election period.
can be affected by this violence and when it 2017).
the Belém do Pará Convention”. can occur, since it goes beyond electoral One of the great challenges in this area is to
The document adds that finding information
processes. According to the report, “women in understand that while violence against women
Mexico’s obligations when it about electoral violence against men in public
politics” includes “all women involved in in politics occurs in countries with democracies
comes to political violence are political activities, those elected at the national under construction, it also happens in
records, such as police and hospital reports as
well as media coverage, is ten times more likely
clear. In general terms, it must prevent, or local levels, members and candidates of consolidated democracies such as Canada,
than finding details about a similar type of
promote, respect, protect, guarantee and, political parties, government and State officials France, the United States and Great Britain.
violence against women. These reports are
when necessary, redress the right to political at the local, national and international levels, Therefore, it is not merely a weakness of states.
almost always produced because a community
participation on equal terms. This is based on civil servants, ministers, ambassadors and other
articles 1, 4 and 41 of the Mexican positions in the diplomatic corps” (UN, 2018).
Another key point is that while member reports an incident verbally. In politics,
women are more commonly threatened than
Constitution, and on the obligations accepted In other words, institutional and legal violence in politics may be
men and are subject to sanctions such as
by the country when signing international protection should not be limited to women experienced by both men and having their children taken away from them or
treaties such as the American Convention on who are elected and participate in electoral women, when it is directed at the latter, it being morally condemned by their church
Human Rights and the International Covenant processes; this protection must be much is done differently, and it is based on gender. leaders because they tried to vote, work on a
on Civil and Political Rights. broader. This type of violence must, therefore, be political campaign or seek public office.
Specifically, the Convention on the Elimination
There is a long list of people defined so it can be identified, addressed and
In Latin America and some
of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women eradicated.
(CEDAW), and the Inter-American Convention who may engage in this type other regions, there there is a significant
A study by the electoral expert Gabrielle Bardall
on the Prevention, Punishment, and Eradication of violence including political party debate about how much influence electoral
for the Election Violence Education and
of Violence against Women (Belém do Pará leaders, parliamentarians, the media, religious institutions have on the internal life of political
Resolution program run by the International
Convention) set out the actions and measures leaders, community assemblies and leaders, parties. In recent years, court rulings have been
Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES)
required to prevent and address discrimination candidates and party members, family passed that make it possible to influence
examined over 2000 incidents of election
and violence against women. members and hierarchical superiors. It mostly political parties as long as human rights are
violence in six countries (Bangladesh, Burundi,
occurs in the public sphere, but can also be respected, for example, by monitoring their
As already mentioned, one of the most Guinea, Guyana, Nepal and East Timor)
found in the private sphere. For example, obligations to comply with quotas, parity and
accepted definitions of violence against

30 31
 Violence Against Women in Politics

internal democratic processes that do not and are not allowed to put items on the agenda.
exclude women. Party discipline works differently for women than
it does for men because it limits women’s
It has also been confirmed that political
political careers because of their gender.
parties still have mechanisms that hinder the
participation of women activists. For example, Figure 4. Female presidents in
they may not inform women of calls for parliaments
elections, or remunerate them for their
campaigns, or force them to sign blank Progress of women speakers, 1995-2020
resignation letters so they can be used at any 25.0%
time, or register male family members or spouses 20.5%
20.0%
in second place on the lists so men can hold
15.0% 13.0%
public office in their place even though the 12.4%
15.8%
women were the ones elected, etc. 10.0%
10.5%
8.3%
Although respect for party self- 5.0%

determination has prevailed, 0.0%

1995 2000 2005 2010 2015 2020
especially in Europe, and issues are resolved as
Source: Data from the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU).
private matters, if the second wave of feminism
has made anything clear, it is the importance of do not have the necessary resources, staff or the position on the women’s behalf, and
influencing both the personal and private VIOLENCE IN POLITICS networks to initiate legal proceedings to misusing the allocated budget for women
spheres, since these are the spaces where EXPERIENCED BY FEMALE defend their rights. What’s more, in a study (Hevia & Aparicio, 2015).
women experience discrimination. The feminist ACTIVISTS conducted in a Mexican indigenous
Some countries, such as Mexico, Colombia and
Carol Hanisch expressed this in the phrase “the community, women reported that political
Women have always been involved in political Brazil, have allocated resources specifically to
personal is political” (Hanisch, 1970). parties preferred mestizo women to run as
parties, either as activists, community managers, promoting women’s political leadership. These
Just as there is concern about the resurgence of candidates, to the detriment of indigenous
vote mobilizers, or campaign supporters. are often misused, for example to purchase
extremist parties that advocate hate speech, women (Alanís, pending publication).
However, they have been excluded from political items that do not contribute towards this goal
it should be seen as a matter of concern that party leadership structures and from spaces of Informal rules in candidate in any way, such as cosmetics, aprons, bracelets
some political parties continue to impede representation, as is evident from the gaps and fuel, as seen in Mexico when the Electoral
women’s political participation with obvious selection also work against
shown above. Institute made political party spending reports
barriers. In both cases, democratic systems are women. Even with quotas or parity in public (Arteta, 2019).
clearly under attack. Hence, there is an urgent Political party structures, and in particular the place, political parties design strategies to
need to regulate aspects of internal affairs. In bodies responsible for registering candidates, are ensure spaces continue to be occupied by No less relevant is the fact that
spaces where political violence occurs. Women
Latin America, this is already starting to be done men, hampering mechanisms working towards women often do not realize
are denied the right to register as candidates, equality (Vázquez, 2020). Some of these
through the electoral bodies.
even when they meet the necessary
they are victims of political violence.
strategies are: meeting quotas for women with
Violence from political parties is also experienced This behavior is so normalized that women are
requirements and have the relevant membership. substitutes, putting women at the bottom of
by female delegates. There is an evident bias led to believe that politics is this way by nature
Candidate nomination is a key moment in their proportional representation lists, nominating
when it comes to presidencies, which are mostly and, so, they must endure being treated
participation journey, and one of the most women mostly in regions where they are sure
held by men. According to IPU data, just 20 differently.
significant obstacles they have to overcome. to lose, meeting quotas by averaging out
percent of parliaments are led by women. In
Women activists have less information about proportional representation and relative
addition to this bias, women often do not have
timeframes and procedures for “fighting” for majority, always putting men at the top of
offices, are not invited to working group
candidates, and if a candidate is rejected, they proportional representation lists, using men as
meetings, are not given a voice on the podium
substitutes for women so the former take up

32 33
 Violence Against Women in Politics kofiannanfoundation.org

VIOLENCE IN POLITICS husband, brother or another family member, or arena, comprising social networks, has Below are some of the reasons why there are so
a recognized leader in the political party. In unfortunately, become a hostile space where, few documented cases of political violence:
EXPERIENCED BY FEMALE
some cases, this is covered up by government through anonymity or sometimes directly,
CANDIDATES
authorities that have agreements in place with women are attacked by those questioning their • There is no widespread knowledge in
Women who become candidates face men and not the women who have been leadership in posts about their physical society about political violence, its scope
situations that put them at a disadvantage. elected into office. appearance or queries into their ability to hold and how to punish it.
Often, they are denied campaign resources or public office.
propped up as candidates in regions where Other tactics used to hamper • There is no legal framework to support
Attacks and threats are received via email,
they are sure to lose either because few votes women’s progress include: a victims who report it.
telephone, direct messages, WhatsApp, web
were won there by their political party in failure to disclose information, not summoning • Some people are unaware of this form
pages and blogs, and through more popular
previous elections, or where they have no women to council sessions or parliamentary of violence, what it involves and its
social networks such as Facebook, Twitter,
stronghold or previous experience. committees; a refusal to pay for expenses and sociocultural effects.
YouTube, Instagram and TikTok. Women often
Having less experience in the political arena, material resources such as offices, human
do not know where they can turn to report this • Women do not realize they are
fewer support networks and generally less resources, staff to help them perform their
behavior. The abusive content, thus, remains experiencing this form of violence since
material and human resources make it more duties, internet, official vehicles; intimidation;
online for some time, meaning it is widely they believe they must “put up with it”
difficult for women to campaign effectively pressure to sign blank documents; a failure to
shared and reaches more people. and what happens to them is “normal”.
with a serious chance of winning. A lack of disclose public accounts; being demoted;
Different reports, especially from electoral This idea is often reinforced by the
financial resources affects women threats; attacks; and sexual violence (Vázquez
institutions, reveal another problem: biases in political environment and by colleagues.
disproportionately. & Enríquez, 2019) (UN, 2020).
radio and television appearances, with women • There is no clarity about legal remedies
Political rights should be understood as rights
always receiving less exposure than men. There or the right authority to approach for
in a broad sense beyond elections and the
Women are often unaware of the positions they entail, as the Special
are fewer interviews, advertisements and help.
amount of money they should Rapporteur’s report says: “Some women in
appearances involving female pre-candidates,
• There is little confidence in the
receive for their campaigns, and politics may be more exposed to risks of
candidates and leaders than there are ones for
authorities.
they always receive less than men. gender-based violence than others, including:
males. When they do involve women, they
often resort to gender stereotypes, with • There are fears that reporting violence
human rights defenders; young, indigenous, will hamper a woman’s political
females being asked about their personal life or
Female candidates also experience violence lesbian, bisexual and transgender and intersex aspirations.
physical appearance rather than their political
during campaigns. The attacks almost always activists; members of opposition or minority
projects, thereby downplaying their opinions • When women do report violence, they
question their ability to carry out the roles, groups; and those voicing minority, dissenting
about what they have to offer the electorate. are stigmatized as difficult and judged
while campaign advertisement tends to or ‘controversial’ views” (UN, 2018). Hence,
for not toeing the party line.
strengthen gender stereotypes reinforcing political rights should not be interpreted in a Unfortunately, these behaviours
way that always restricts the right to be • Fear of reprisals, threats and increased
beliefs that women can be easily manipulated are widespread and therefore often
and, therefore, make bad leaders. Women’s elected, but, rather, guarantee comprehensive harassment.
goes unnoticed. Also, it may be so common
honor is also called into question through protection in all public functions. • Within parties, there are no bodies for
that it is not questioned. This leads to serious
references to their “sexual behavior”.
DIGITAL AND MEDIA VIOLENCE violent incidents and the minimization of their dealing with this kind of violence.
VIOLENCE IN PUBLIC OFFICE The Report of the Kofi Annan Commission on
consequences. Victims are then held • Support networks are insufficient.
responsible and not believing women who
Once in office, women also face violence and Elections and Democracy in the Digital Age • It is embarrassing to publicly declare
report is legitimized. All this is based on the
concerted attempts to limit or undermine their asks a key question: what is the potential of oneself a victim and, in some cases, to
premise: “if women want to enter the public
authority as legislators. For example, simulation digital technologies to both strengthen and talk about what happened.
sphere, they need to adapt to the rules of the
is often used as a tactic. When a woman is undermine the integrity of the electoral
game”.
elected, the person who actually holds office is environment? (Annan, 2020) When it comes to
someone else, usually a man, either her women’s political participation, the new public

34 35
 Violence Against Women in Politics kofiannanfoundation.org

V.II International developments “Although our laws are cutting-edge, they are ways of guaranteeing access to justice and Prosecutor’s Office for Electoral
unfortunately not enforced, and despite the preventing the behavior from recurring; all
in specific legislation on Offenses (FEPADE) indicates that
participation and presence of women in these elements remain in the sphere of
violence against women in ordinary justice, which can take much longer
between 2012 and 2016, there were 156
political spaces increasing in a real and
politics concrete way, which represents an to settle cases.
incidents of political violence against women.
Since 2012, there have been over 40 initiatives
Until 2020, only Bolivia and Mexico have unquestionable step forward, this does not The Bolivian scenario should be taken into to reform various laws to recognize and
approved laws and regulations on violence mean that a social, political, cultural and account by other countries in understanding combat gender-based political violence, but
against women in politics. Argentina and economic system has been achieved where the enormous scope of designing and none have been successful (FEPADE, 2018).
Ecuador approved general provisions, but women can assert their political rights on equal implementing laws and public policies that
appropriate modifications have not been made terms” (ACOBOL, 2013). As with other issues, it was at the local level
effectively eradicate violence against women
in order to define conduct, sanctions and that important advances were first made in
Bolivia is an advanced country in politics.
procedures. In countries such as Peru and Costa recognizing violence against women in politics;
in terms of how it recognizes women’s political
Rica, only draft laws were presented before MEXICO incidents began to be documented and local
rights, has approved parity and operates with electoral institutes and civil society
Congress.
the world’s third highest proportion of women In 2014, Mexico abandoned quotas and opted
organizations were indispensable in supporting
BOLIVIA in a unicameral parliament (53 per cent). for parity in federal congress candidate
the women affected. In the absence of a
Despite seven years having passed since the nominations. However, the most significant
In May 2013, Bolivia approved Law 243 relevant federal law, the Protocol to Address
law against political harassment and violence reform occurred in 2019 when gender parity
criminalizing political harassment and violence Political Violence Against Women was
against women was adopted, resistance to was constitutionally recognized across the
against women. This law was the result of work published in March 2016 as part of the
women’s participation in politics does not board for candidate registration for all elected
by the Bolivian Association of Women institutional framework for protecting women’s
appear to have been reduced. positions and in all areas of government, either
Councillors (ACOBOL), which for twelve years political and electoral rights. The Protocol was
by election or by appointment, as well as in
was responsible for keeping the issue on the In 2016, Supreme Decree No. 2935 was created by the Federal Electoral Court, the
autonomous bodies and indigenous
public agenda. During this time, over 572 issued, regulating Law 243, which provides for National Electoral Institute, the Special
municipalities.
complaints of political harassment and violence the creation of a “mechanism of prevention Prosecutor’s Office for Electoral Offenses and
against women were made and documented. and immediate attention” for incidents of As the expert Blanca Olivia Peña points out, by the National Women’s Institute. It has been
Juana Quispe, a female councilor from the political harassment and/or violence that are taking on these obligations, the Mexican State recognized internationally as good practice
municipality of Ancoraimes, was murdered clearly serious and/or represent a risk, putting supported the entire regulatory framework, because it is the reference for dealing with
after reporting harassment from male the life or physical integrity of the affected procedural rules, case law and jurisprudence in cases in a legal vacuum (TEPJF, 2016).
councillors; she never had access to justice person in imminent danger, in order to the administrative, legislative and jurisdictional
spheres with the broadest protection for This instrument defined gender-
(ACOBOL, 2013). coordinate and organize immediate action
between the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of women’s political and electoral rights (Peña, based political violence against
The Bolivian model incorporated political 2016). women and made clear the elements of
Government, the Bolivian Police, the Ministry of
harassment and violence against women into political violence and relevant situations, as
Autonomy, the Public Prosecutor’s Office, the
the country’s penal code as crimes against Data from the Special well as the rights of the victims and the
Office of the Ombudsperson and the
public service. However, no cases have been institutions able to assist. The Protocol became
Plurinational Electoral Organ. It also created With this reform, Mexico became
settled and nobody has been persecuted for an extremely important tool for the courts and
the regulations for processing elected women’s the only country to introduce the
these crimes. According to data from UN electoral institutes, since it was not until 2020
resignations and processing political principle of constitutional parity in
Women, the Supreme Electoral Tribunal that the federal congress legislated to penalize
harassment and violence complaints all formal spaces of public and
reported through the Democratic Parity such violence under a reform. This is the only
(Observatory, 2017).
Observatory that in the first four months of political decision-making. However, reform globally that defines what violence
2018 alone, it reviewed 65 cases of political Katia Uriona, a specialist in women’s political as seen elsewhere, women’s against women in politics is. It identifies 22
harassment and violence against women (UN, participation and former president of the increased access to elected office types of behavior responsible for violence, sets
2020). Supreme Electoral Tribunal, points out that has had the unintended effect of out sanctions (including fines, reduced funding,
despite these efforts, there are no effective increasing violence against them.

36 37
 Violence Against Women in Politics kofiannanfoundation.org

public apologies, candidate removal, election I. Failing to comply with national and any expression that denigrates or or any other leave provided for in legislation;
nullification and prison terms), and establishes international legal provisions that recognize disqualifies women in the exercise of their
XVI. Inflicting physical, sexual, symbolic,
measures for protection and redress. the full exercise of women’s political rights; political functions, based on gender
psychological, economic or patrimonial
stereotypes, in order to damage or resulting
Due to their relevance, and as an example, the II. Restricting or nullifying women’s right to a violence on a woman in the exercise of her
in the damage of their public image or
22 types of behavior recognized by Mexican free and secret vote, or hindering their rights political rights;
limiting or nullifying their rights;
legislation as political violence against women of association and affiliation to all types of XVII. Arbitrarily limiting or denying the use
on the basis of gender are listed on the right: political and civil organizations, on the basis of X. Disseminating images, messages or
of any resource or power inherent to the
gender; private information involving a woman
position held by a woman, including the
candidate or incumbent, by any physical or
III. Failing to disclose information or call for payment of wages, allowances or other
virtual means, for the purpose of
candidates, or any other activity involving benefits associated with the position, on an
discrediting, defaming, denigrating and
decision-making as part of their functions and equal basis;
questioning her capacity or abilities in
activities; XVIII. Obliging a woman, through force,
politics, based on gender stereotypes;
IV. Providing women who aspire to hold or pressure or intimidation, to sign documents
XI. Threatening or intimidating one or more
already hold elected office with false or or endorse decisions contrary to her will or
women or their family or collaborators to
incomplete information preventing them from the law;
lead them to resign from the candidacy or
registering as candidates or leading to the XIX. Obstructing or preventing women’s
office to which they were elected or
incorrect exercise of their powers; access to justice to protect their political
appointed;
V. Providing incomplete information or false rights;
XII. Preventing, by any means, women
data to administrative, electoral or XX. Arbitrarily limiting or denying the use of
elected or appointed to any public office or
jurisdictional authorities to undermine any resource or attribute inherent to the
position from taking the oath for their role,
women’s political rights and the guarantee of political office held by a woman, preventing
attending ordinary or extraordinary sessions,
due process; them from holding office on equal terms;
or any other activity involving decision-
VI. Providing women in elected office with making and the exercise of office by XXI. Imposing unjustified or abusive
false, incomplete or inaccurate information to preventing or suppressing their right to sanctions, preventing or restricting women
prevent them from carrying out their roles speak and vote; asserting their political rights on an equal
properly leading to the undue exercise of their footing, or
XIII. Restricting women’s political rights
powers;
based on the application of traditions, XXII. Any other similar conduct that harms
VII. Obstructing campaigns to prevent customs or internal or specific normative or is likely to negatively affect the dignity,
electoral competition from taking place on systems that violate human rights; integrity or freedom of women in a political,
equal footing; public, powerful or decision-making position
XIV. Imposing, based on gender stereotypes,
VIII. Making or distributing political or activities other than those required as part that affects their political electoral rights
electoral propaganda that slanders, degrades of political representation, office or
Each of these examples are based on real cases
or disqualifies a female candidate based on function;
reported by women who have experienced
gender stereotypes that reproduce
XV. Discriminating against women in the political violence in campaigns or in the
relationships based on domination, inequality
exercise of their political rights during exercise of public office.
or discrimination against women, with the aim
pregnancy, or before, during or after
of undermining their public image or limiting
childbirth, or preventing or restricting their
their political and electoral rights;
return to work after taking maternity leave
IX. Defaming, slandering, insulting or making

38 39
 Violence Against Women in Politics kofiannanfoundation.org

V.III Incidents of violence internal processes to punish the perpetrators. EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, 2018. the Council of Europe (PACE) in 2018, which
“It is not easy to be a woman in politics in interviewed 123 women from 45 European
against women in politics HARASSMENT AND VIOLENCE
Bolivia. Women are often subjected to political countries, highlighted the sexism, abuse and
It is increasingly common to find documented AMONG PARLIAMENTARIANS
harassment and violence from their male violence against women in parliaments (IPU,
cases of violence against women in politics. colleagues, who are usually in the same party 2018). Among the most important findings are
A study conducted by the Inter-Parliamentary
However, we know that like the other types of (Página Siete, 2020). the following:
Union (IPU) and the Parliamentary Assembly of
violence faced by women, they are under-
This is an incident where intimidation based on
recorded, either because women did not
gender is clear. The assemblywoman was • 85.2 percent of the female appearance or based on gender
realize violence was taking place or because
pressured to vote in a certain way. When there parliamentarians who took part in the stereotypes.
the lack of institutions as well as lack of justice
was doubt as to whether she would comply, study said they had experienced
and impunity for perpetrators mean they do • 24.7 percent had experienced sexual
she was threatened and later the threats were psychological violence during their term
not file complaints, so there are no official violence.
carried out through the attack on her family. of office.
records. • 14.8 percent had experienced
Her enemies achieved their goal of her leaving • 46.9 percent had received death
physical violence.
BOLIVIA, 2020. THE FORCED office as she ended up resigning for her own threats or threats of rape or beatings.
and her family’s safety. Her resignation was not • The perpetrators of this harassment
RESIGNATION • 58.2 percent had been targeted by
accepted by the Supreme Electoral Tribunal and violence were political opponents,
Miriam Vargas, an assemblywoman from Potosi online sexist attacks on social networks.
because the law says that if the electoral body colleagues from the women’s own
in Bolivia, was threatened by leaders in her own recognizes or acknowledges signs of political • 67.9 percent had been subject to parties, and ordinary citizens.
party, Movimiento Al Socialismo (Movement for harassment and violence contributing to the comments about their physical
Socialism), to make sure she voted in favour of resignation of an authority figure, it will not
the Governor. Despite voting in his favour, on proceed with the appointment of a
10 June 2020 she was the victim of an attack: replacement until the facts are clarified. Figure 5. Forms of violence experienced
her house was ransacked and burned down by female parliamentarians interviewed
with her children present; they managed to
and rates of reporting
escape minutes before the incident (García,
2020).
While this may be good news, those
who attacked Vargas say they will Female MPs surveyed
After the attack, in which she lost all her carry out more attacks if she does not Prevelence of acts of violence and rates of reporting
property, Vargas offered her resignation to
resign. It is, therefore, essential that 60%
the president of the Departmental Legislative
there are guarantees in place to 50%
Assembly and the Potosí Departmental
enable women to hold office. While
Electoral Tribunal to protect herself and her
not accepting someone’s resignation 40%
family. The Office of the Ombudsperson asked
is an important decision, it must go 30%
the Potosi Departmental Legislative Assembly
alongside additional measures to
to declare the resignation illegal, since it 20%

occurred in a context of political harassment

keep women safe.
10% experienced this form of violence
and violence and bullying and pressure on her reported the incident
and her family members. 0%
Online Threats of Psychological Sexual Physical
violence physical harassment harassment violence
Various civil organizations have violence
demanded guaranteed protection for
Source: Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), 2018
assemblywomen in line with the provisions of
Law 243 against Political Violence and
Harassment, approved seven years ago, and
asked that the party implement the necessary

40 41
 Violence Against Women in Politics kofiannanfoundation.org

In 2017, the global #MeToo Elisa, a human rights activist, had promoted According to the complaint, 17 of the 19 Other documented cases include the 2016
women’s political participation in the region candidates were men who wanted to claim murder of the UK Labour Party MP Jo Cox, who
phenomenon began with an outcry
and fought for transparency and accountability transgender identity to avoid complying with was attacked by an individual who shot and
over sexual abuse by the American film
locally. The attacks were masterminded by a the requirement for parity in nominations. The stabbed her at the end of a campaign event.
producer Harvey Weinstein. The movement
local party boss who hoped to hold on to his electoral institute decided to ban these 17 According to newspaper reports, witnesses
then extended to other fields including politics.
political power in the community. The candidates, since it had been shown that they claimed the killer shouted, “Britain first!”
Since then, the hashtag has been used by
perpetrators left Elisa and her mother for dead were not transgender women, but cisgender (El País, 2016).
millions of women around the world to
in the public square. citizens intending to misuse affirmative action.
condemn sexual harassment and abuse.
V.IV A comprehensive model
When the authorities arrived, they managed to Gender adjustments were made for the city
In October that same year, female Californian
arrest the attackers and take Elisa to hospital, councils in these 19 municipalities with the
for protecting women as they
politicians publicly stated that they too faced
where she gradually recovered. As a next woman on the list being placed as the first exercise their political rights
these abusive situations. Over 140 women,
precautionary measure, she was given an councilor, going through all positions. It was Experience has taught us that increased female
including female legislators, signed a letter
escort, a panic button and surveillance at also determined that candidates who participation in politics also means more
denouncing touching without consent,
home. A year after the attack, Elisa began attempted to defraud the law could not incidents of violence. This type of behavior
inappropriate comments and sexual advances.
working in her community again and was participate in the election. The candidates’ seeks to reaffirm the gender mandates that
“Why didn’t we speak up? Sometimes out of
elected mayor of her municipality in 2016. political parties also had 18 months of their impose uneven power relations on women
fear. Sometimes out of shame ... Often these
Two years later, she was voted in as a local running expenses withdrawn. instilled by sexism and to keep positions of
men hold our professional fates in their hands.
congresswoman. In this role, she has promoted power for men.
They are bosses, gatekeepers, and contacts. Political parties appealed the decision and the
reforms such as criminalizing political violence,
Our relationships with them are crucial to our Federal Electoral Court reversed the decision of
decriminalizing abortion and criminalizing acid
personal success” (Mason, 2017). the administrative electoral authority by a It is therefore necessary to
attacks on women (El Universal, 2019).
majority of votes. It confirmed two transgender introduce public policies that
This type of statement shows how women in
candidates who were ordered to register in
politics face different barriers when making MEXICO, 2018. PLOYS TO eradicate this type of behavior
second position thereby giving the first position
complaints, since their political career often PREVENT PARITY by designing models of access
to the first woman on the list of candidates.
depends on the decisions of the very men who Local elections were held in Mexico in 2018, to justice that comply with
are abusive towards them, which discourages including for councils in the State of Oaxaca, By order of the Superior international standards of prompt
them from pursuing legal channels or making where the political participation of transgender Chamber, Susana Alvarado was registered and expeditious justice, as well as
their complaints public. people was recognized for the first time. as first on the list and Carlos Quevedo Fabián the minimum standards of due
However, some political parties used this (who ran as a transgender woman and had diligence and due process.
MEXICO, 2018. ATTEMPTED
affirmative measure to try and evade parity by previously been municipal president) was
MURDER States cannot acquiesce or fail to punish
taking places away from women and registered as a representative. After winning
In 2014, the activist Elisa Zepeda Lagunas was registering men who claimed to be the election and shortly after taking office, perpetrators in the face of violence against
ambushed and attacked in the municipality of transgender women as candidates. Susana Alvarado reported that she was women in the political sphere, because this
Eloxochitlán de Flores Magón, Oaxaca, Mexico. subjected to political violence by the municipal creates an environment of injustice and
During the registration period, 19 transgender-
Her brother was killed, her mother was injured, representative, Carlos Quevedo. In October undermines the rule of law. When potential
women candidates were nominated and
and her house and car were set on fire. 2019, she filed a lawsuit for the Protection of perpetrators know they will go unpunished, it
publicized by the local electoral authority.
Eloxochitlán is an area that traditionally Citizens’ Political Rights, in which she stated encourages repeated and aggravated violent
However, once the lists were sent out, civil
chooses authority figures according to customs that the Representative had created similar behavior. This and all types of violence must,
associations advocating for people of diverse
and practices (customary law). The attack took groups to generate political instability in the therefore, be eradicated.
sexual orientations filed a formal complaint
place in the context of an assembly to elect a municipality and force her to resign so that he
with the authority about possible fraud in these
mayor, which could not take place due to the could serve as municipal president.
nominations.
presence of armed groups (Commission,
2014).

42 43
 Violence Against Women in Politics kofiannanfoundation.org

What is a comprehensive Administrative and jurisdictional redress processes. This implies having complaint
measures are also needed to compel the state mechanisms, determining precautionary and
model of justice for women?
to act promptly and diligently. Trials can take protective measures, carrying out an
A definition of violence against women in
months or years. During this time women will investigation, and having exemplary sanctions
politics was needed to understand how it works
continue to face violent acts and their political for perpetrators and reparation measures to
and the types of individuals who may
performance will be affected. It is not possible make amends for violated rights.
perpetrate it, as well as to take appropriate
for justice to be late when violent behavior
action to address it.
evolves and worsens quickly, often starting on Diagram 1. Comprehensive
When a woman experiences social networks. protection for women facing
violence (for example, domestic violence), Restorative justice implies reparation, which violence in politics
one of the first things to do is to remove her involves psychological support, security and
from her home and take her to a safe place, 1. REPORTING
financial compensation, among other
(immediacy
usually a special shelter. In extreme cases, elements. As a result, it is important to have and accessibility)
women have to change their place of male and female judges whose decisions take a
residence. For women in politics, the situation gender perspective into account.
is more complicated as their careers have been
Exemplary sanctions are important for ensuring
built where they live. The only people who
that offenses are not repeated. Strategies 5. REPARATION 2. CAUTIONARY
would benefit from their removal would be MEASURES Summary Procedure AND PROTECTIVE
should go beyond the penal system. For
those who want them out of the running, out
example, Mexico has agreed that people
(gender (fast-tracked) before MEASURES
perspective) authorities and (immediate)
of parties and away from their political capital.
responsible for this kind of violence should be
Electoral or
disqualified from participating as candidates in Specialized Courts
This type of violence cuts future elections. The state can also impose
women’s political careers short significant economic sanctions on political
and reparation is often impossible. parties and de-register a political party if there
4. SANCTIONS
are repeated violations.
It is, therefore, necessary to FOR PERPETRATORS 3. INVESTIGATION
design and introduce measures It tends to take much less time to resolve (exemplary (rapid)
and inhibitory)
for protection, redress and non- disputes in electoral processes than in other
repetition. Protective measures areas where the damage can be irreparable.
include providing women with This route should, therefore, be considered Source: created by author.

private security, protecting them instead of civil or criminal routes, where it takes
physically and restricting much longer to resolve disputes and the
perpetrators. implications for women are negative. Such It is important to study and address these types
cases must be handled professionally, ethically of cases as well as be aware of the advances
Reparation measures attempt to make amends and with a strong commitment to equality. that have been made at the international level,
for previously violated rights. For example, in because that is where human rights issues have
In conclusion, a successful model of
Mexico, the law on violence against women in been discussed in depth, with landmark rulings
access to justice must be comprehensive and
politics established measures that include the on the rights of indigenous people, the rights of
guarantee that women can approach electoral,
following: public apologies, election minorities, the rights of people with diverse
jurisdictional, administrative and, where
nullification and more radio- and television- backgrounds, and others. Indeed, this will help
appropriate, criminal prosecution authorities to
appearance time for the women affected, states consider the problem from different
report violations of political and electoral
taken out of the perpetrators’ media time. perspectives and design the necessary
rights. Access to justice must be rapid and
mechanisms to eradicate it.
available before, during and after electoral

44 45
 Violence Against
against women
Women in
in politics
Politics kofiannanfoundation.org

VI. Recommendations 1. The CEDAW Committee of Experts should issue a specific

recommendation regarding violence against women in politics.
The CEDAW Committee of Experts should issue a specific recommendation that includes the
concept and standards for states parties, showing the importance of combating violence against
Addressing political violence is not women in politics and obliging states to take urgent action to eradicate it. It is worth

just a task for administrative or

remembering that these recommendations are binding and would be an excellent way to position
the issue in countries where the individual and collective impact of this type of violence against

jurisdictional electoral institutions: women has not yet been assessed.

IIn recent decades, women’s struggle to have their political rights recognized has been so intense
it is a commitment that states must that the violence they experience while in public office has been overlooked, although most

make across the board. Therefore, countries have made progress towards descriptive and quantitative equality. Women must be able
to access these spaces without becoming victims of violence.

these recommendations involve

different institutions and provide 2. Design a comprehensive model of access to justice (electoral,
administrative and criminal)
specific, but not limiting, tasks. Administrative and jurisdictional procedures must be structurally reformed to ensure that women
The aim is to eradicate gender gaps can access administrative authorities and courts to report violence. As explained in this
document, action can be taken in four main areas: I) access to justice, II) duties and functions, III)
in political representation and defend protection orders and risk assessments, and IV) preventative measures and reparations.

women’s human right to hold public

2.1 Access to justice:
office.
• Introduce immediate actions and concrete • As with other types of violence against
policies to stop victims’ rights from being women, gender-based political violence is
violated. not just a matter for the criminal
prosecution authorities.
• Empower authorities and equip them with
legal tools to take immediate action on • Violence against women in politics needs
behalf of victims. to be addressed comprehensively, taking
into account the victims and the political
• Ensure investigative processes are subject
and public nature of their activities.
to guarantees of due diligence in line with
international standards. • Violence against women in politics also
generates different types of responsibilities
• Stop the behavior from recurring.
including criminal, electoral, administrative,
• Redress the rights of the victims. civil, occupational and international.
• Punish offenders. • All types of violence must be considered:
• Protect the principles of equality, equity, symbolic, physical, sexual, psychological,
non-discrimination and non-violence. occupational, economic and patrimonial.

• Eradicate impunity.

46 47
 Violence Against Women in Politics kofiannanfoundation.org

2.2 Duties and functions:

3. Formally recognize violence against women in politics
• Each authority’s duties and scope must sanctions, which should also be provided
be precisely defined and regulated. for in the law. States need to legislate to recognize violence against women in politics, considering the
international examples set by Bolivia and Mexico to develop better laws that are comprehensive
• There is currently a complete lack of • Possible competent authorities: electoral and effectively protect women, as discussed above.
regulation. It needs to be clear what scope courts, electoral institutes, special
the competent authority has to order risk prosecutor’s offices, women’s institutes, The resistance to recognizing this type of violence legally can be explained as follows: if behavior
assessment for the victim, issue and victims’ commissions, etc. is not recognized in law; it cannot be punished. It is illegal to punish someone for a crime that is
execute protection orders and impose not legally recognized; it is illegal to punish someone if there is no specific penalty for this specific
crime; it is illegal for an authority to sanction someone without an express duty to do so.

2.3 Protection orders and risk assessments:

Male parliamentary legislators fear being punished by this violence, so
• Protection orders are essential immediate protective measures to prevent they postpone discussions, maintain that no legal change is necessary
guarantees and must be provided for in the victims, their families and related persons and hinder any initiatives that are presented. The issue must therefore
relevant general laws (electoral law, access from being harmed as a precaution. be promoted from within parliament itself with support from civil society
law, violence against women and victims’
• The electoral authority should be able to organizations and political leaders.
law, etc.).
order risk assessments.
• Unfortunately, protection orders have not
• Plans should be developed for individual
4. Regulate and hold political parties accountable
been developed in the context of politics Political parties are key to eradicating this kind of violence because they propose candidates
protection measures, as well as security
and elections, where they are necessary. and are obliged to maintain links with their members. They must also ensure they are properly
measures for the victim (personal security,
• Laws should list the authorities able to stopping the perpetrator accessing the representing citizens, including women, of course, who, for many years, they have tried to make
issue protection orders. victim’s residence, party headquarters/ invisible.
offices, campaign spaces or places visited Political parties should create internal bodies to provide justice that incorporates the gender
• They must recognize and empower
by the victim) to stop the behavior from perspective, to which women activists can turn. Party leaders must be truly committed to parity
electoral (and other) authorities so they
continuing, as well as intimidation or democracy and develop effective sanctions to eradicate violence.
can request and, if necessary, implement
harassment.
A political party’s internal justice system should establish immediate measures to prevent further
harm to victims and their families, ensure investigations are carried out under the principles of
2.4 Preventative measures and reparation : due diligence and in accordance with international standards, and redress the rights of victims. It
should also impose penalties on offenders and prevent political violence from going unpunished.
• Exemplary penalties and sanctions are authorities that stand out are those
needed to ensure that violent behavior violating women’s right to access 5. Address cases of violence against women in politics using a
does not reoccur, thus having a politics and hold office.
“gender perspective”
transformative effect.
• Unfortunately, in some cases, the
Passing judgment by taking gender into account requires that authorities and judicial operators
• Reparations for victims should be authorities have unreasonably decided
know about international instruments on women’s human rights. It is also important to know
determined from a gender perspective, that reparations are impossible.
what a “gender perspective” is and what it means. Knowledge and tools on the subject will avoid
taking into consideration how illegal
• The structural prevention measures resolving issues of political violence in conventional ways used in areas such as family law. In
conduct has affected women’s political
set out in judgments are essential if discussions, commonly held opinions ideas like “I have daughters at home, so I know what rights
careers.
similar incidents are to be avoided. they have” should be avoided as they do not help put an end to this kind of social problem.
• The political and electoral contexts
• Reparations must be implemented
should be taken into account.
and designed to generate
• The incidents reported to the transformative solutions.

48 49
 Violence Against Women in Politics kofiannanfoundation.org

The power of judicial rulings to provide legal and symbolic redress to women who suffer rights Creating data that takes gender perspective into account is required by different international
violations are fundamental. Conversely, rulings can also result in instruments that re-victimize instruments such as: the Declaration on the Elimination of Violence Against Women (Article 4 (k)),
women if their background is known and there is a limited understanding of women’s role in the Special Rapporteur’s contributions, the Beijing Platform for Action (Strategic Objective D.2 on
society. In all cases, international treaties to protect women’s rights should be considered and the Violence against Women), and the study by the office of the UN Secretary General on violence
pro-personae principle should always be used as much as possible. against women that contains a full chapter on the need for data collection.

6. Inform and educate women about their political rights Other relevant international instruments are: the UNiTE Campaign (one of its five objectives is
data collection), the CSW Conclusions (Recommendation D), the Special Rapporteur’s call for
Institutions such as electoral authorities, political parties and equality bodies must run awareness
states parties to set up “femicide watches”, the Inter-American Model Law on the Prevention,
campaigns on women’s political rights so that females can assert and demand them.
Punishment and Eradication of Violence against Women in Political Life (2017. CIM/MESECVI/
Political parties should also be required to publish and disseminate among women activists OAS), CEDAW General Recommendation No. 35 on gender-based violence against women
information about the sums they receive for women’s campaigns, training and development to (updating GR. No. 19) and the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women’s
encourage the appropriate use of these resources. Concluding Observations on Mexico’s Ninth Periodic Report.
7. Consolidate women’s leadership As noted in the Special Rapporteur’s report, the lack of general data and indicators to measure
Political parties should be encouraged to support women activists with workshops on specific violence against women in politics and elections at all levels generates a belief that these are
topics such as how to campaign, how to hold public office, how to better carry out their role and, isolated incidents rather than manifestations of widespread and structural discrimination against
of course, how to detect and report violence against women in politics. women in political and public life.

Universities can also be involved. By developing specific programs, they can support this training 10. Undertake qualitative studies
and encourage mobile facilities to be created so political training can be given to women in
In addition to the quantitative studies that can be carried out to generate statistics, electoral
remote communities or rural areas where there is less access to this type of information.
institutions, political parties, academia and civil society organizations must carry out qualitative
8. Help civil society organizations and activists address cases of studies to provide more comprehensive tools to understand the dynamics that encourage this
type of violence. There should be interviews with women who have experienced violence and
violence
with those who carry out this type of violence to identify risk factors associated with victims and
Civil society plays a key role in reporting, handling and following up on violent incidents. They perpetrators.
often come to light through civil organizations since women are afraid and hesitate to go to the
appropriate authorities. When it comes to women’s forced resignations from public office, civil 11. Create stereotype-free communications campaigns
organizations have played a fundamental role in making these known to both the media and the
State institutions must run ongoing communications campaigns explaining the importance of
electoral authorities.
women’s participation in political life. Girls have to see themselves reflected in these new figures
However, many of these organizations do not have enough of a budget to fund such activities, as leaders, congresswomen, councilors, ministers or in any other relevant position to generate
which limits their scope and longevity. Specific funds should be allocated to legal and new narratives in children and young people.
psychological support projects for these organizations, which will allow them to carry out such
activities. 12. Develop international protocols
International and technical assistance agencies should develop action protocols setting out
9. Generate statistics concepts, international treaties, jurisprudence and case studies.
It is impossible to properly assess violence against women in politics without data that quantifies
These materials will also be useful in training authorities, women in politics, women’s political
incident numbers, perpetrators, the stage in the electoral cycle when violence takes place, how it
rights activists, the media and any other interested parties.
manifests itself, the institutions involved, sociodemographic data on the women affected, and
legal proceedings among other aspects. These statistics should be publicly available for access by
citizens, academics, political parties and civil society itself.

50 51
 Violence Against Women in Politics kofiannanfoundation.org

Bibliography Democratic Parity Observatory. (2017).

Ejercicio de los Derechos Políticos de las
Hanisch, C. (1970). The Personal Is Political.
Retrieved from http://www.carolhanisch.org/
Mujeres Sin Acoso ni Violencia Política CHwritings/PIP.html
[Exercising Women’s Political Rights Without
ACOBOL. (November 2013). El acoso y la Arboleda, M. (1993). “Mujeres en el poder Heller, L. (2008). “Desde lo organizacional”
Political Harassment or Violence]. La Paz:
violencia política hacia las mujeres en Bolivia local” [“Women in local power”]. Isis [“From the organizational perspective”]. Voces
Tribunal Supremo Electoral.
[Political harassment and violence against International, 20–42. de mujeres. Actividad laboral y vida cotidiana
women in Bolivia]. Spanish version retrieved El País. (2016). Muere la diputada laborista Jo [Women’s voices: Working activity and daily
Arteta, I. (14 October 2019). Animal Político.
from https://www.bivica.org/files/violencia- Cox tras ser tiroteada y apuñalada [Labour MP life], pp. 99–141.
Retrieved from https://www.animalpolitico.
politica-acoso.pdf Jo Cox dies after being shot and stabbed].
com/2019/10/partidos-gastan-dinero-para- Hevia, T., & Aparicio, J. (2015). Impacto del
Spanish version retrieved from https://elpais.
Alanís, María del Carmen. (2017). “Violencia capacitacion-de-mujeres-en-combustible- registro paritario de candidaturas [Impact of
com/internacional/2016/06/16/
Política hacia las mujeres. Respuesta del Estado pulseras-y-hasta-la-biografia-de-eruviel-avila/ candidate peer registration]. Mexico: INE.
actualidad/1466085234_300929.html
ante la falta de una ley en México” [“Political IDEA. (2004). La aplicación de cuotas:
Bardall, G. (23 October 2017). The Washington
violence against women: the State response to El Universal. (2019). Spanish version retrieved
Post. Retrieved from https://www. experiencias latinoamericanas [Quota
the lack of a law in Mexico”]. In Cuando hacer from “’Las mujeres no abortan por gusto’; es
washingtonpost.com/news/monkey-cage/ application: Latin American experiences].
política te cuesta la vida [When Politics Costs un tema de justicia” [“’Women don’t abort for
wp/2017/10/23/women-in-political-life-say- Spanish version retrieved from https://www.
You Your Life] (pp. 231–248). Mexico: UNAM. fun’: It’s a matter of justice”]: https://oaxaca.
metoo-heres-how-harassment-and-violence- idea.int/sites/default/files/publications/
eluniversal.com.mx/estatal/23-09-2019/
Alanís, María del Carmen. (2019). La igualdad limit-their-political-lives-worldwide/ la-aplicacion-de-las-cuotas-experiencias-
las-mujeres-no-abortan-por-gusto-es-un-tema-
de género como derecho humano [Gender latinoamericanas.pdf
Barrera, D., & Suárez, B. (2012). “Los desafíos de-justicia-social-zepeda-lagunas
equality as a human right]. Mexico: Instituto IPU. (2018). Sexism, harassment and violence
de llegar y de ejercer un cargo. Mujeres
Electoral de la Ciudad de México. Facio, A. (2000). El acceso a la justicia desde
mexicanas en los albores del siglo XXI” [“The against women in parliaments in Europe.
una perspectiva de género [Access to justice
Alanís, María del Carmen. (Pending challenges of getting into and holding office: Retrieved from https://16dayscampaign.org/
from a gender perspective]. Costa Rica:
publication). Fortalecimiento del liderazgo Mexican women at the dawn of the 21st wp-content/uploads/2019/06/en_2018-
ILANUD.
político de las mujeres en municipios, pueblos century”]. Ra Ximhai, pp. 199–223. issues_brief_web.pdf
y comunidades indígenas, tanto en el Sistema FEPADE. (November 2018). Ensayo sobre
Carrasco, C. (2001). “La sostenibilidad de la IPU. (2020). Mujeres en el parlamento: 1995–
de Partidos Políticos como en el Sistema Violencia Política [Essay on Political Violence].
vida humana, ¿un asunto de mujeres?” [“Is the 2020 [Women in parliament: 1995–2020].
Normativo Indígena, en el estado de Chiapas Spanish version retrieved from http://www.
sustainability of human life a women’s issue?”] Spanish version retrieved from http://www.
[Consolidating women’s political leadership in fepade.gob.mx/work/models/fepade/
Mientras Tanto, pp. 43–70. secretariagrulacuip.org/web/attachments/
municipalities, towns and indigenous prevencionDelito/
article/157/2020-women%20in%20
communities, both in the Political Party System CIM-MESECVI. (2015). Statement on Political EnsayosSobreViolenciaPoliticaWEB.pdf
parliament_SP-LR.pdf
and the Indigenous Regulatory System, in the Violence and Harassment against Women.
Ferrajoli, L. (2012). “La igualdad y sus
Spanish version: http://www.oas.org/es/ Kofi Annan, F. (2012). Deepening Democracy: A
state of Chiapas]. Mexico: Instituto de garantías” [“Equality and its guarantees”]. In El
mesecvi/docs/declaracion-esp.pdf. Strategy for Improving the Integrity of Elections
Elecciones y Participación Ciudadana de Principio de Igualdad en la teoría del derecho y
Worldwide. Spanish version retrieved from
Chiapas. Cobo, R. (2002). “Democracia paritaria y la dogmática jurídica [The Principle of Equality
https://www.kofiannanfoundation.org/web/
Annan, F. K. (2020). Protecting electoral sujeto político feminista” [“Parity democracy in the Theory of Law and Legal Dogmatics] (p.
app/uploads/2017/08/Deepening-
integrity in the digital age. Spanish version and feminist political actors”]. Anales de la 7). Fundación de Cultura Universitaria.
Democracy_ESPANOL.pdf
retrieved from https://storage.googleapis. Cátedra Francisco Suárez, pp. 29–44.
García, M. (28 June 2020). Página Siete.
com/kofiannanfoundation.org/2020/05/ Council of Europe. (2011). Council of Europe Retrieved from https://www.paginasiete.bo/
ebc1514a-kaf-kacedda-report_2020_spanish. Convention on preventing and combating nacional/2020/6/28/asambleista-miriam-
pdf violence against women and domestic vargas-quemaron-mis-bienes-tuvieron-mi-
violence. Spanish version retrieved from familia-de-rehen-259691.html#!
https://rm.coe.int/1680462543

52 53
 Violence Against
against women
Women in
in politics
Politics kofiannanfoundation.org

Krook, M. L. (2017). “¿Qué es la violencia retrieved from https://www.oas.org/es/ Rubin, G. (1975). The Traffic in Women: Notes UN. (2018). Special Rapporteur on violence
política? El concepto desde la perspectiva de la mesecvi/convencion.asp on the “Political Economy” of Sex. Toward an against women, its causes and consequences.
teoría y la práctica” [“What is political Anthropology of Women, pp. 157–210. Spanish version retrieved from https://www.
OAS. (2017). Inter-American Model Law on
violence? The concept from the perspective of ohchr.org/SP/Issues/Women/SRWomen/
Violence against Women. Spanish version Tello, F. (2009). La participación política de las
theory and practice”]. In Cuando hacer política Pages/SRWomenIndex.aspx
retrieved from https://violenciapolitica.mx/ mujeres en los gobiernos locales
te cuesta la vida [When Politics Costs You Your latinoamericanos: barreras y desafíos para una UN. (2020). Spanish version retrieved from
documents/1540574906-Ley%20Modelo%20
Life] (pp. 45–74). Mexico: UNAM. efectiva democracia de género [Women’s http://www.secretariagrulacuip.org/web/
Interamericana%20violencia.pdf
Kymlicka, W. (1996). Multicultural Citizenship. political participation in Latin American local attachments/article/157/2020-women%20
Página Siete. (2 July 2020). Página Siete.
Barcelona: Paidós. government: barriers and challenges standing in%20parliament_SP-LR.pdf
Spanish version retrieved from https://www.
in the way of effective gender democracy].
Lagarde, M. (2012). El feminismo en mi vida. paginasiete.bo/opinion/editorial/2020/7/2/ UN. (12 June 2020). United Nations. Spanish
Barcelona: Diputación de Barcelina.
Hitos, claves y topías [Feminism in my life. asambleista-potosina-en-riesgo-260079.html version retrieved from http://www.nu.org.bo/
Milestones, keys and places]. Mexico: Instituto TEPJF. (2016). Federal Electoral Tribunal’s noticias/onu-mujeres-condena-los-hechos-de-
Peña, B. (2016). “La constitucionalización de la
de las Mujeres del Distrito Federal. Protocol for Tackling Political Violence Against acoso-violencia-politica-se-generan-en-el-pais/
paridad en México: Un camino sin retorno”
Women. Spanish version retrieved from https://
Mason, M. (17 October 2017). Los Angeles [“The constitutionalization of parity in Mexico: UNHCR. (1981). African Charter on Human and
www.te.gob.mx/protocolo_mujeres/media/
Times. Retrieved from https://www.latimes. a path of no return”]. In I.-A. C. Women, La Peoples’ Rights. Banjul Charter. Spanish version
files/7db6bf44797e749.pdf
com/politics/la-pol-ca-women-harassment- democracia paritaria en América Latina: los retrieved from https://www.acnur.org/
capitol-20171017-story.html casos de México y Nicaragua [Parity democracy UN. (1981). CEDAW. Spanish version retrieved fileadmin/Documentos/BDL/2002/1297.pdf
in Latin America: the cases of Mexico and from the Convention on the Elimination of All
Massolo, A. (2007). Participación política de las Vázquez, M. (2020). La implementación del
Nicaragua] (pp. 47–69). Washington: CIM-OAS. Forms of Discrimination against Women:
mujeres en el ámbito local en América Latina principio de paridad y la violencia política
https://www.ohchr.org/sp/
[Women’s local political participation in Latin Piscopo, J. (2016). “Capacidad estatal, justicia como efecto no deseado [The implementation
professionalinterest/pages/cedaw.aspx
America]. Santo Domingo: United Nations criminal y derechos políticos: Nueva mirada al of the parity principle and political violence as
International Research and Training Institute for debate sobre la violencia contra las mujeres en UN. (2008). Convention on the Rights of an unwanted side effect]. Mexico: Pending
the Advancement of Women (INSTRAW). política” [“State capacity, criminal justice and Persons with Disabilities Spanish version publication.
political rights: a new perspective for the retrieved from https://www.ohchr.org/
National Human Rights Commission. (2014). Vázquez, M., & Enríquez, N. (14 March 2019).
debate on violence against women in politics”]. Documents/Publications/AdvocacyTool_sp.pdf
Investiga CNDH agresión que sufrió la Instituto Estatal Electoral y de Participación
Política y gobierno [Politics and Government], UN. (2011). Women’s participation in politics. Ciudada de Oaxaca [Oaxaca State Elections and
defensora de derechos humanos Elisa Zepeda
pp. 471–492. Spanish version retrieved from https://www. Citizen Participation Institute]. Spanish version
Lagunas [The National Human Rights
Commission investigates the aggression Piscopo, J. (2017). “Los riesgos de sobrelegislar. un.org/ga/search/view_doc.asp?symbol=A/ retrieved from http://www.ieepco.org.mx/
suffered by human rights defender Elisa Zepeda Reflexiones acerca de las respuestas RES/66/130&referer=/english/&Lang=S archivos/documentos/2019/
Lagunas]. Spanish version retrieved from institucionales a la violencia contra las mujeres memoriasindicas2019.pdf
UN. (2018). Expert Group Meeting Report &
https://www.cndh.org.mx/sites/default/files/ que hacen política en América Latina” [“The Recommendations. Violence Against Women in WEF. (2019). Global Gender Gap Report 2020.
doc/Comunicados/2014/COM_2014_357. risks of overlegislating. Reflections on Politics. Retrieved from https://www.ohchr. Retrieved from http://www3.weforum.org/
pdf institutional responses to violence against org/Documents/Issues/Women/ docs/WEF_GGGR_2020.pdf
women in politics in Latin America”]. In Cuando ViolenceAgainstWomeninPoliticsReport.pdf
OAS. (1969). American Convention on Human
hacer política… [When Politics Costs You Your
Rights. Spanish version retrieved from https:// UN. (2018). Report of the Special Rapporteur
Life] (pp. 77–101). Mexico: UNAM. Images used under license from Shutterstock.
www.oas.org/dil/esp/tratados_b-32_ on violence against women, its causes and
convencion_americana_sobre_derechos_ REPOL. (2020). Género y Política. Participación com.
consequences. Spanish version retrieved from
humanos.htm de la mujer [Gender and politics. Women’s https://www.acnur.org/fileadmin/
participation]. Spanish version retrieved from Documentos/BDL/2016/10562.pdf
OAS. (1994). Inter-American Convention on the
https://reformaspoliticas.org/reformas/
Prevention, Punishment, and Eradication of
genero-y-politica/
Violence against Women. Spanish version

54 55
 For more information about our projects:

kofiannanfoundation.org
Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | Instagram