Women's Representation around the world
The representation of women around the world has been steadily increasing but cultural, political, and systemic barriers to women in elected office remain. Far more needs to be done to reach full gender parity, so that women can run, win, serve, and lead effectively.
Internationally, the Inter Parliamentary Union ranks the United States 95th out of 191 countries for the number of women elected to the national legislature. Countries that rank above the US in representation include a mix of both developed and developing countries. In spite of the many differences among the 94 nations that rank ahead of the US, these countries share electoral and governmental structures and norms that have fueled efforts to elect women.
Over 100 nations have a mandated or voluntary quota or target for the recruitment of women candidates - this strategy is widely credited with having the clearest impact on the number of women elected. Justin Trudeau made history when he was elected Prime Minister of Canada in 2015 by appointing a gender balanced cabinet. When asked why he did so his response was "Because it's 2015." Representation2020 is calling on PACs, donors, and political parties to set voluntary targets for recruiting and supporting women candidates so that more women run for office in the United States.
The vast majority of countries that rank above the United States, use multi-winner districts with some form of proportional representation to elect legislators. As many studies show multi-winner districts are better for women's representation than single-winner districts (as used in the United States). Representation2020 is calling on cities, states, and Congress to adopt multi-winner districts with ranked choice voting so that more women win elected office in the United States.
Many countries have instituted gender-aware legislative practices such as childcare, telecommuting, and merit-based committee leadership selection so that women of all ages can balance the opportunities for civic service with child-rearing and other family responsibilities. Representation2020 is calling on all legislative bodies from counties to the Congress to adopt gender-aware procedures so that more women can serve and lead effectively.
Representation2020 advocates for structural remedies that will help move the United States from 95th in the world for women's representation to a spot much closer to the top.
Internationally, the Inter Parliamentary Union ranks the United States 95th out of 191 countries for the number of women elected to the national legislature. Countries that rank above the US in representation include a mix of both developed and developing countries. In spite of the many differences among the 94 nations that rank ahead of the US, these countries share electoral and governmental structures and norms that have fueled efforts to elect women.
Over 100 nations have a mandated or voluntary quota or target for the recruitment of women candidates - this strategy is widely credited with having the clearest impact on the number of women elected. Justin Trudeau made history when he was elected Prime Minister of Canada in 2015 by appointing a gender balanced cabinet. When asked why he did so his response was "Because it's 2015." Representation2020 is calling on PACs, donors, and political parties to set voluntary targets for recruiting and supporting women candidates so that more women run for office in the United States.
The vast majority of countries that rank above the United States, use multi-winner districts with some form of proportional representation to elect legislators. As many studies show multi-winner districts are better for women's representation than single-winner districts (as used in the United States). Representation2020 is calling on cities, states, and Congress to adopt multi-winner districts with ranked choice voting so that more women win elected office in the United States.
Many countries have instituted gender-aware legislative practices such as childcare, telecommuting, and merit-based committee leadership selection so that women of all ages can balance the opportunities for civic service with child-rearing and other family responsibilities. Representation2020 is calling on all legislative bodies from counties to the Congress to adopt gender-aware procedures so that more women can serve and lead effectively.
Representation2020 advocates for structural remedies that will help move the United States from 95th in the world for women's representation to a spot much closer to the top.
Global Women Leaders
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Spotlight: Johanna Siguroardottir
In 2009, Johanna Siguroardottir became the first female Prime Minister of Iceland. She was also the world's first openly gay Head of State. Siguroardottir, a former labor union activist, entered Parliament in 1978 and served through nine consecutive terms, becoming Iceland's longest serving Parliament member.
Siguroardottir rose to political prominence as Iceland's Minister of Social Affairs and has been one of Iceland's most popular political leaders to date. Her work advocating for handicapped and elderly rights, and for the rights of the disadvantaged, have been among her most notable accomplishments. As the BBC reported in 2009, her work as the Minister of Social Affairs even earned her the nickname of "Saint Johanna".
In addition to her popularity and success as Social Affairs Minister, Siguroardottir became known for her financial policy acumen as well. Elected as Prime Minister of Iceland in 2009, through a coalition of the Social Democratic Alliance and the Left-Green party, Siguroardottir navigated Iceland through the fallout of its 2008 financial collapse.
In 2010 Siguroardottir and her government banned all strip clubs and other facilities in which employers benefited from employees nudity. Her actions were widely praised and led many to label Iceland as the "most feminist country in the world". Siguroardottir left politics in 2013, choosing not to run for reelection at the end of her term. Although no longer in politics, her long and storied political career (spanning nearly 35 years) leaves a celebrated legacy for women in politics.
In 2009, Johanna Siguroardottir became the first female Prime Minister of Iceland. She was also the world's first openly gay Head of State. Siguroardottir, a former labor union activist, entered Parliament in 1978 and served through nine consecutive terms, becoming Iceland's longest serving Parliament member.
Siguroardottir rose to political prominence as Iceland's Minister of Social Affairs and has been one of Iceland's most popular political leaders to date. Her work advocating for handicapped and elderly rights, and for the rights of the disadvantaged, have been among her most notable accomplishments. As the BBC reported in 2009, her work as the Minister of Social Affairs even earned her the nickname of "Saint Johanna".
In addition to her popularity and success as Social Affairs Minister, Siguroardottir became known for her financial policy acumen as well. Elected as Prime Minister of Iceland in 2009, through a coalition of the Social Democratic Alliance and the Left-Green party, Siguroardottir navigated Iceland through the fallout of its 2008 financial collapse.
In 2010 Siguroardottir and her government banned all strip clubs and other facilities in which employers benefited from employees nudity. Her actions were widely praised and led many to label Iceland as the "most feminist country in the world". Siguroardottir left politics in 2013, choosing not to run for reelection at the end of her term. Although no longer in politics, her long and storied political career (spanning nearly 35 years) leaves a celebrated legacy for women in politics.
For more information about women leaders in government, check out the Council of Women World Leaders.
Representation of Women in Lower Houses of Parliament
The above graph uses information from the Inter-Parliamentary Union ranking of Women in Parliament to demonstrate the global inequality of women in government. According to the Inter-Parliamentary Union's data, only two of the 191 ranked countries in the world (Rwanda and Bolivia) have greater than 50% women in their lower or single House. Only fourteen countries (Rwanda, Bolivia, Cuba, Seychelles, Sweden, Senegal, Mexico, South Africa, Ecuador, Finland, Iceland, Namibia, Nicaragua,and Spain) have greater than 40% representation. The United States ranks amongst the lowest for equal representation, coming in at 95th. Less than an handful of developed nations rank below the United States in terms of elected parity.
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