Growth of women in power grinds to near-halt in a mega-election year

In the year 2024, a significant number of countries around the globe held major elections, but the results revealed a concerning trend regarding women's representation in politics. This year marked the slowest growth in female representation in two decades, with nearly half of the world's population, approximately 3. 6 billion people, participating in these elections. Alarmingly, 27 newly formed parliaments now have fewer women than they did prior to the elections. This decline is evident in various nations, including the United States, Portugal, Pakistan, India, Indonesia, and South Africa. For the first time in history, the European Parliament also saw a decrease in the number of women elected. The BBC analyzed election results from 46 countries where the outcomes have been confirmed and discovered that in nearly two-thirds of these nations, the number of women elected fell. The data was sourced from the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), an international organization that collects and analyzes election data. The findings indicate that the growth in women's parliamentary representation has significantly slowed over the past three years, with this year showing the least growth since 2005. While some countries, such as Mongolia, Jordan, and the Dominican Republic, experienced gains in female representation, the overall growth this year was negligible, at just 0. 03%. This is a stark contrast to the period between 1995 and 2020, during which the number of women in power doubled globally. Mariana Duarte Mutzenberg, a gender statistics expert at the IPU, expressed concern that progress has been 'too fragile' in certain democracies. For instance, the Pacific Island nation of Tuvalu lost its only female member of parliament and now has no women in government at all. Before losing her seat, Dr. Puakena Boreham, Tuvalu's only female MP, led initiatives to encourage women to engage in politics. The Pacific Islands currently hold the lowest proportion of female members of parliament in the world, at just 8%. On a global scale, women constitute 27% of parliamentary members, with only 13 countries nearing the 50% mark. Latin America and parts of Africa are currently leading in terms of female representation. Some nations continue to make progress, largely due to the implementation of gender quotas. For example, Mongolia increased its female representation from 10% to 25% this year after introducing a quota for women. On average, countries without quotas have elected 21% women, while those with quotas have achieved 29%. Mexico serves as a notable example of how quotas can facilitate gender parity. In 2018, Mexico reached a 50% representation of women in its parliament after former president Andrés Manuel López Obrador mandated that half of the parliament should be women. Political will is crucial for driving change in government positions, according to Julie Ballington from UN Women. She emphasizes that cabinets, which are responsible for making significant societal decisions, have the lowest female representation among all political measures. Women are often relegated to specific ministerial roles, such as overseeing human rights, equality, and social affairs, rather than being appointed to positions related to finance or defense. This represents a missed opportunity for more balanced decision-making. Research indicates that gender-diverse groups tend to make better decisions, and boards that include both men and women are more likely to achieve higher profits. Furthermore, studies have shown that when women are involved in peace negotiations, the likelihood of reaching agreements increases. With the diverse political landscapes and contexts across different countries, it is challenging to pinpoint the reasons behind the minimal changes in women's representation this year. However, several universal barriers hinder women's participation in politics. Research has demonstrated that women are less likely to perceive themselves as suitable candidates for senior leadership roles. Professor Rosie Campbell noted that women often require encouragement to consider running for office, as they may not naturally envision themselves in such positions. The slowdown in women's representation could also result in fewer mentors for aspiring female politicians, making it less likely for young women to believe they can or should run for office. When women do decide to pursue political office, they often face financial disadvantages. Studies have shown that women encounter greater difficulties in securing funding for their campaigns and may lack the financial freedom to take time off work. In many societies, women still bear a larger share of caregiving responsibilities than men, which can negatively impact how they are perceived by voters. This challenge is exacerbated by the fact that few parliaments offer maternity leave, as highlighted by Carlien Scheele from the European Institute for Gender Equality. The absence of supportive policies can deter women from pursuing political careers. In 2010, European lawmakers approved measures for parental leave within the EU, but very few parliaments extend similar benefits to their members. Additionally, the design of electoral systems plays a significant role in women's representation. Countries that utilize proportional representation or mixed electoral systems tend to elect a higher percentage of women compared to those that employ first-past-the-post systems. However, these factors are not new. What has changed is the increase in attacks on women in politics, both online and offline. In Mexico, where gender-based violence is already a pressing issue, women politicians faced heightened levels of disinformation aimed at damaging their reputations. This creates a chilling effect, discouraging younger women from aspiring to run for office. In South Korea, despite a slight increase in the number of women elected, many young men expressed feelings of reverse discrimination during this year's elections. Some political parties capitalized on this sentiment, which may have contributed to the overall decline in women's representation. Understanding the significance of these trends is crucial. Beyond the principle of fairness, research indicates that gender-diverse groups tend to make better decisions, and boards with a mix of genders are associated with higher profits. Studies have also shown that when women are involved in peace negotiations, the likelihood of reaching agreements increases. Julie Ballington from UN Women encourages a shift in perspective regarding women in politics. Instead of framing the issue as one of under-representation, it is essential to recognize it as an over-representation of men.