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722 results found for "Women's political leadership"
This research report outlines the barriers women face in their pursuit of political leadership in Southeast Asia. It considers the structural, institutional, economic, and cultural factors that hinder or stop women from fully participating in political participation, leadership and governance. Read the executive summary on this page or download the full report in PDF format.
WFD’s work considers the social, cultural, economic, and political factors that stop women from fully participating in politics and governance. We work with partners to develop systems and strategies that challenge and transform them.
This report focuses on women’s motivation to seek, and their preparation for, political leadership roles.
Report |
Since 2022, WFD’s ASEAN Women’s Political Leadership programme has been working to advance equality in politics and wider society across the ASEAN region (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) by making it easier for politically active women to participate in local, regional and national politics and to become political leaders.
Across the world, women are under-represented at all levels of formal politics. Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia – the three countries covered by Phase I of the programme – are no different. In Indonesia, women hold 121 of 575 seats in the lower house of parliament, just 21%. In Thailand and Malaysia, just 15% and 14% of seats are held by women. WFD supported politically active women and their allies to participate in local, regional and national politics
In the second phase of the programme WFD will continue to work towards improving equality in political leadership for diverse groups of women in Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, and Thailand.
Equal rights, power and opportunities for all: That is the theme of International Women’s Day 2025. WFD is working to help bring this vision to life around the world. Here are some examples of our recent impact.
On International Women's Day 2022, WFD launched a 12-month-long project aimed to advance women's political participation and leadership in the Moroccan House of Representatives. One year down the line – as we celebrate International Women’s Day in 2023 – we look at the outcomes achieved through this Canadian Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI) supported programme.
Morocco |
Democracies need everyone to be represented in decision-making. We all lose out if women are left out. We need more women’s leadership. WFD programmes and research around the world have demonstrated what stands in the way of women’s leadership and the benefits it brings. We have also learned how we can support it.
On 15 October 2022, WFD organised a discussion forum on the inclusion of women in electoral lists in the DRC, alongside key national CSO’s. The forum looked at the key barriers to women's political participation and leadership in the country. Recommendations on what should be done to promote more women political leadership were provided in the forum; below is the full report of the conference-debate in English.
Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) | Report |
The Gender Safety Assessment Tool Co-creation Workshop brought together voices that embody resilience and leadership in the fight against violence against women in politics (VAWP).
Supporting women’s political leadership and women MP retention through stakeholder mapping in Malawi
SNP WFD’s partnership with the Parliamentary Women’s Caucus (PWC) in Malawi focuses on enhancing women’s political representation to create a more just political environment. To achieve this, SNP WFD began a stakeholder mapping project. Stakeholder mapping surveys voters and other stakeholders and enables MPs to be more prepared for and understand what is expected of them within their constituencies. It also helps them identify and attain resources needed to achieve more equal representation in Parliament.
Bringing together women politicians from different religious, ethnic, and political party backgrounds, WFD’s “More than a Quota” programme encouraged them to come together to address barriers to political participation for women in BiH and tackle issues that are important to citizens.
In March 2022, a new programme to support women MPs launched.
Morocco |