Female Political Representation Stalls Amid Global Election Surge

Although select nations have made strides in female political leadership, a comprehensive review shows a distressing decline in women's representation in parliaments worldwide, with cultural and logistical barriers persistently hindering progress.

The year 2024 saw elections in nearly half the world's population, comprising 3.6 billion individuals, yet it paradoxically marked the slowest increase in women's representation in governance in the last two decades. An analysis by the BBC, utilizing data from the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), reveals that 27 countries, including the United States, Pakistan, and South Africa, saw a decrease in the number of women in newly formed parliaments. Alarmingly, this year also marked the first occasion where the European Parliament elected fewer women than in previous years.

Through the examination of results from 46 countries, evidence indicates that nearly two-thirds of them faced declines in female representation. Despite advancements in the UK, Mongolia, Jordan, and the Dominican Republic, the overall growth stands at a mere 0.03%. Illustriously, Mexico and Namibia elected their first female presidents, yet losses in others thwarted overall progress.

Mariana Duarte Mutzenberg, the IPU's gender statistics analyst, flagged that the progress in some democracies remains "too fragile." Notably, the Pacific Island nation of Tuvalu lost its only female MP, resulting in no women in government.

Globally, women occupy 27% of parliamentary seats, with only 13 countries nearing gender parity. Latin America and some regions in Africa lead in female representation, often aided by gender quotas. For instance, Mongolia increased female representation from 10% to 25% thanks to a mandated 30% candidate quota. Comparatively, countries without quotas only elected 21% women, revealing the significant impact of enforced inclusive policies.

However, barriers persist, including an ambition gender gap that sees women less likely to aspire to senior leadership roles. Moreover, financial disparities further impede women from running for office. Research highlights that women often face challenges securing campaign funding and managing time away from work due to caregiving responsibilities.

Mitigating these obstacles includes providing better maternity benefits in parliaments and encouraging equitable electoral systems. Countries that utilize proportional representation often report a higher share of elected women, yet the progress remains stagnant.

Compounding these issues, increasing incidents of violence against women in politics, both online and in-person, create a chilling effect, discouraging future female candidates. This year alone saw heightened gender-based violence in Mexico during elections, making public service riskier for women.

Dr. George emphasizes the significance of women's involvement in governance, citing research showing that diverse groups lead to improved decision-making and sustainable outcomes, particularly in peace negotiations. She states, "When women are in the room, peace deals are more likely to happen and last."

In a climate where female political representation is wearily stationary, experts advocate for a re-examination of societal views regarding gender in politics, urging a shift in focus from the under-representation of women to the over-representation of men. Solutions lie not only in increased engagement from women but also in societal acknowledgment of the benefits that gender-diverse leadership brings.