In brief
In 2024, major global elections highlighted a troubling trend of stagnation in women's political representation, with the lowest growth rate in two decades. Noteworthy declines were observed in several nations including the US and India, while some managed modest gains through gender quotas. Experts point to various systemic barriers, including ambition gaps and rising violence against women politicians, that hinder progress towards gender parity in governance.
In 2024, a pivotal year for global elections involving nearly half of the world’s population—3.6 billion people—has revealed a daunting trend: the rate of growth in female political representation has plummeted to the lowest it has been in the last 20 years. The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) reports that 27 newly-elected parliaments saw a decrease in female members compared to previous elections, encompassing nations like the United States, Portugal, Pakistan, India, Indonesia, and South Africa. Disturbingly, the European Parliament also elected fewer women than before, marking a historic decline.Data reviewed from 46 countries indicate that in nearly two-thirds, the number of women elected has fallen, resulting in an overall growth rate of just 0.03% this year, a stark contrast to the significant strides made between 1995 and 2020 when female representation doubled. Though some countries, like the UK, Mongolia, Jordan, and the Dominican Republic made gains in female representation, they are exceptions amidst broader losses, including the Pacific Island nation Tuvalu, which now has no women in its parliament.While women globally constitute 27% of parliamentary seats, Latin America and parts of Africa are currently leading in female political representation. Mariana Duarte Mutzenberg from the IPU emphasizes the fragility of progress in various democracies. Conversely, mandates for gender quotas, as seen in Mongolia—which moved from 10% to 25% female representation through a 30% candidate quota—are proving effective in boosting numbers in some regions. However, barriers persist. The UN Women organization highlights a significant underrepresentation of women in key ministerial roles, often relegated to specific portfolios while men dominate positions associated with financial and defense matters. Furthermore, experts note a persistent ambition gender gap, with women less likely to consider themselves capable of taking up senior leadership roles. Additional hurdles include challenges in securing funding for campaigns, as women typically face more significant financial barriers, coupled with societal expectations regarding caregiving responsibilities. Limited maternity leave policies across parliaments exacerbate these issues, deterring women from pursuing political careers.The electoral design of countries also influences representation, with mixed or proportional representation systems yielding more women in political offices compared to first-past-the-post systems. Unfortunately, 2024 has also seen an uptick in violence against women in politics, particularly in Mexico, where gender-based violence steepened during elections, impacting women's willingness to run for office.This year's elections have not only revealed systemic issues in female representation but also a troubling backlash against women's rights in certain regions, fueling anti-gender sentiments among voter groups, particularly young men. Despite these challenges, some women are galvanized to participate more actively in politics, underscoring a potential path forward.Experts argue the importance of equitable representation goes beyond fairness; gender-diverse groups tend to make more informed decisions, and women’s inclusion in peace negotiations is linked to more sustainable outcomes. The ongoing narrative is shifting to recognize not just the underrepresentation of women, but the overrepresentation of men in political spaces.
