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Slide1: 

World and Regional status of women in politics Trends, statistics and mechanisms to promote women in politics Presentation by the Inter-Parliamentary Union Second regional conference of women parliamentarians and women in political decision-making positions of the GCC States 30-31 October, Abu Dhabi THE INTER-PARLIAMENTARY UNION

Women in Politics: what framework?: 

Women in Politics: what framework? THE INTER-PARLIAMENTARY UNION . « The achievement of democracy presupposes a genuine partnership between men and women in the conduct of the affairs of society in which they work in equality and complementarity, drawing mutual enrichment from their differences. »  Universal Declaration on Democracy, 1996 “States Parties shall take all appropriate measures to eliminate discrimination against women in the political and public life” Article 7 Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women « Strategic objective G.1. Take measures to ensure women's equal access to and full participation in power structures and decision-making. Strategic objective G.2. Increase women's capacity to participate in decision-making and leadership. » Beijing Platform for Action

Women in Parliament 1945-2007 : 

Women in Parliament 1945-2007 THE INTER-PARLIAMENTARY UNION 6-fold increase in Lower Houses 8-fold increase in Upper Houses

Regional Averages: 

Regional Averages THE INTER-PARLIAMENTARY UNION WORLD AVERAGE: 17.4%

2006 Highlights: 

THE INTER-PARLIAMENTARY UNION 2006 Highlights

2006 Highlights: 

2006 Highlights THE INTER-PARLIAMENTARY UNION Globally During 2006, 9,335 parliamentary seats were up for renewal. Women won 1,557, or 16.7 percent, of those seats. Of the women who won seats, 1,459 were directly elected, 63 were indirectly elected, and 35 were appointed. As a result, 19 countries have more than 30% of women in Parliament. Nine countries have no women in Parliament. Electoral gender quotas were used in 23 countries to bolster women's participation. In those counties with gender quotas women took 21.7 percent of seats as opposed to 11.8 percent for countries without.

2006 Highlights: 

2006 Highlights THE INTER-PARLIAMENTARY UNION Regionally Gulf Cooperation Council States: In the UAE, both women and men stood for election and voted for the first time. Nine women entered Parliament gaining 22.5 percent of the seats. In Bahrain, a woman was elected to the Lower House of Parliament and 10 were appointed to the Upper House, accounting for 25% of the members. Women stood for election for the first time in Kuwait. Nordic countries: the regional average increased to 40.8 percent further to elections in Sweden. Less than 3% of parliamentarians in the Pacific Island states are women. No women won seats in the elections in the Solomon Islands and Tuvalu.

2006 Highlights: 

2006 Highlights THE INTER-PARLIAMENTARY UNION Highest number of women Presiding Officers ever reached 35 out of 262 (13.4%)

Countries with more than 30% of women in Parliament: 

Countries with more than 30% of women in Parliament THE INTER-PARLIAMENTARY UNION

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Regional Averages: Arab States THE INTER-PARLIAMENTARY UNION Arab States double their percentage of women in Parliament in 10 years. Highest regional increase in 2006

Arab States: where do they stand?(A comparison of Lower Houses): 

Arab States: where do they stand? (A comparison of Lower Houses) UNION INTERPARLEMENTAIRE Tunisia 22,8%; UAE 22,5% Syria 12%; Algeria 6,2%, Jordan, Egypt, Lebanon, Kuwait, Bahrain, Yemen (1 September 2007- Single House) Nordic countries 41.6% Europe: Incl. Nordic countries 20.4% Americas 20% Europe: Excl. Nordic countries 18.4% Sub-Saharan Africa 17.2 % Asia 16.6% Pacific 13.1% Arab States 9.6% TOTAL: 17.5%

Factors influencing women’s decision to enter politics: 

Factors influencing women’s decision to enter politics THE INTER-PARLIAMENTARY UNION Taking the decision to run… A major deterrent: the system of values and practices in politics Reconciling politics and the family Getting the party's nomination and electoral support Getting financial support Confidence Social and cultural environment

Factors influencing women’s success in politics: 

Factors influencing women’s success in politics THE INTER-PARLIAMENTARY UNION Factors influencing success rate… Electoral system: proportional vs majority Party support/ family support Good network Financial support Visibility/communication Last but not least: Political will

Mechanisms to facilitate women’s entry into politics : 

Mechanisms to facilitate women’s entry into politics THE INTER-PARLIAMENTARY UNION What are special measures? Incentives to attract women to parties Election campaign support Training and skills development Sensitisation campaigns Set targets for leadership positions within political parties Electoral quotas

Electoral Quotas : 

Electoral Quotas THE INTER-PARLIAMENTARY UNION Speeding up change: Quotas are a fast track strategy Formal versus substantive equality Leveling the playing field and providing an equal start CEDAW/ Beijing Platform for Action

Types of quotas: 

Types of quotas THE INTER-PARLIAMENTARY UNION SUPPLY: Candidate quotas Legislated: Minimum percentage of candidate for election must be women as stipulated in legislation Voluntary party quota: Minimum percentage of candidates for election as determined on a voluntary basis by political parties OUTPUT: Guaranteed seats Reserved seats: Number of seats are set aside in the parliament for women.

Quotas in Practice: 

Quotas in Practice THE INTER-PARLIAMENTARY UNION

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THE INTER-PARLIAMENTARY UNION There is no one miracle solution, but it is a mixture of elements and factors that enhance progress and change.