Women in Politics

Nonagenarian Opposition Backer Contends for Change in Zimbabwe

By Jeffrey Moyo
Idah Hanyani, popularly known as Gogo Chihera, has backed the opposition since Zimbabwe gained independence in 1980. Born in Wedza, a district in Zimbabwe’s Mashonaland East province, the 91-year-old first supported United African National Council (UANC).

The Camel, the Needle– and the UN’s first Woman Secretary-General

By Thalif Deen
A 2.0 version of an ancient Biblical saying reads: It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a woman to become the Secretary-General of the United Nations. The male/female ratio for the Secretary-General stands at 9 vs zero. And the Presidency of the General Assembly (PGA), the highest policy-making body at the UN, is not far behind either.

Those Who Dare: Feminist Movements in Sudan, Lebanon & Syria

By Sania Farooqui
The year 2019 was not just a time before the world saw the global pandemic, but also a time when the world saw mass political uprisings with women at the forefront. The MENA region in a way led this force, in Sudan women played as drivers of the revolution, protesting decades of corruption, socioeconomic grievances and gendered violence. Nubian queen became the symbol of the revolution in Sudan which finally saw the overthrow of the dictatorship in 2019.

Those Who Dare: Voices of Women in the MENA Region

By Sania Farooqui
When it comes to gender equality and development, the Middle East, North Africa (MENA) and the Arab States region continues to be in a paradoxical situation. While within the region, several laws, policies and programming focused on gender equality are growing, women’s representation in government jobs, corporate roles, and national programming seem to be dismissed. Healthcare, education have seen improvement, most countries have become tech inclusive as well, but access to hospitals and educational institutions –at times due to social programming or gender-related policies continues to prevent women from accessing them and using them.

Women Politicians in Peru Face Severe Harassment, Discrimination

By Mariela Jara
Women entering the political arena in Peru face multiple obstacles due to gender discrimination that hinders their equal participation, which can even reach the extreme of political harassment and bullying, in an attempt to force them out of the public sphere.

Youth Icon’s Fight for Rights Among India’s Destitute

By Mehru Jaffer
Pooja Shukla, 25, a socialist candidate, has lost her maiden elections to the provincial parliament in Uttar Pradesh (UP), India. But Shukla is no loser.

International Women’s Day, 2022
Global Community Urged to Challenge Deep-Rooted Biases and Stereotypes about What Women Can Do

By Joyce Chimbi
Teresa Lokichu recalls the day she attended a meeting convened by high-ranking government officials, community leaders and elders to discuss various pressing issues such as security in her pastoral community of West Pokot in Kenya's Rift Valley region.

International Women’s Day 2022

One of our greatest challenges is advancing gender equality in the face of the climate crisis. They constitute the majority of the world’s poor.

International Women’s Day, 2022
War, Want, Weather and Wellbeing: Where Are We Now?

By Lesley Ann Foster

 

WAR The world is currently facing a devastating war with dire prospects for our global security. Men are waging this war while women seek peace and security for their families, communities and our global society. Women are give birth and nurture while some men actively seek death and destruction. This is one of the fundamental differences between the sexes which underpins patriarchy and generates inequality on many levels. Women and girls bear the brunt of this unbalanced approach to life.

International Women’s Day, 2022
War, Autocrats and Fossil Fuels – Women on the Front Line

By Farhana Haque Rahman
For decades women’s demands for political and economic inclusion have placed them centre-stage in mass struggles against dictatorships across the world. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and its indiscriminate attacks on civilians now put women’s movements firmly on the front line of war, autocrats and fossil fuels.

International Women’s Day, 2022
Women are the Answer to Sustainable Development

By Ameenah Gurib-Fakim
When countries improve their Global ranking, there is rejoicing within the community that progress has been made at last.. but has it and why does it matter ?

Why isn’t a Career in Politics Aspirational for Girls and Women in India?

By Shevika M
For most young girls, a career in politics is not even on the radar. For the few that are interested, building a career in politics in India seems unachievable.

Extraordinary Lives of Indian Muslim Women Documented

By Mehru Jaffer
It’s time the achievements of Indian Muslim women were documented to make their contribution to society visible, says international health and gender expert Dr Farah Usmani.

Liberal Facade Hides Lebanon’s Patriarchy

By Mona Alami
Despite its apparent liberalism, Lebanon scores low in gender equality, especially in politics.

Will Taliban Honour UN Treaties Signed by Afghanistan Over the Last 20 Years?

By Thalif Deen
When the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan receives the political blessings of the 193-member General Assembly-- and eventually inherits its seat at the United Nations-- it will have to ultimately prove its credentials as a member of good standing by adhering to the UN Charter and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) – as all member states do.

Women Leaders Hailed for COVID-19 Response

By Alison Kentish
On September 20, Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina accepted an award from the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network for her country’s ‘striking’ progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

If Women Farmers were Politicians, the World Would be Fed, says Danielle Nierenberg

By Busani Bafana
Women, key contributors to agriculture production, are missing at the decision table, with alarming consequences, says Food Tank President Danielle Nierenberg in an exclusive interview with IPS.

Parliamentarians Determined to Reach ICPD 25 Goals

By Cecilia Russell
Politicians from Asia and Africa shared activism anecdotes demonstrating their determination to meet ICPD 25 commitments. They were speaking at a hybrid conference held simultaneously in Kampala, Uganda, and online.

Acceleration Rights Plan for Gender Equality Mooted at Equality Forum

By Nayema Nusrat
As the global gathering for gender equality, the Generation Equality Forum, kicks off in Paris on June 30, 2020, IPS conducted an exclusive interview with Katja Iversen.

Britain Must Fix Its Anti-Muslim Sentiment Problem

By Sania Farooqui
In 2015, When Rabina Khan was running as an independent candidate in the Tower Hamlets’ mayoral elections in London, a male voter asked her what colour her hair was under her veil. Rabina replied and said, it was pink. This small interaction is what got Rabina inspired to write her book, My Hair is Pink Under This Veil.

Why We Need More Women in Power

By Sania Farooqui
What is the first thing that comes to your mind when you read the words, women and power? The accepted wisdom is that women can be powerful, but not without the constant reference to their gender - which is often based on a set of unconscious biases towards them. Is she competent enough, effective, articulate without being too assertive or too aggressive. Is she a straightjacket, is she too emotional, will her family life impact her work or vice versa. Is she smart enough to camouflage her intelligence, is she ready for a key position, is it worth making her powerful?
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