Global Female Political Representation Faces Setbacks Amid Mega-Elections

Despite significant elections in 2024 affecting nearly half the world's population, a new analysis reveals the slowest growth in female political representation in two decades, with many nations witnessing a decrease in women’s parliamentary seats.

In 2024, voters in 46 countries participated in major elections, representing nearly half the world’s population. However, data compiled by the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) reveals distressing news: the growth of female political representation has ground to a near halt, marking the slowest increase in two decades.

Analysis shows that in at least 27 newly elected parliaments—including those in the United States, Pakistan, Portugal, and India—the number of women representatives has decreased. Notably, this year marked the first instance where fewer women were elected to the European Parliament. According to the research, two-thirds of the countries surveyed reported a decline in the election of women to public office.

While there were some advances for women in nations like Mongolia, Jordan, the UK, and the Dominican Republic, the overall growth rate for female parliamentary representation globally was a mere 0.03%. This stagnation is particularly concerning given that the number of women in parliaments worldwide had doubled from 1995 to 2020. Mariana Duarte Mutzenberg, who specializes in gender data at the IPU, describes this progress as fragile. Notably, Tuvalu now lacks any female representation in parliament, following the loss of its only woman representative.

Despite certain regions, such as Latin America and parts of Africa, making strides in representation largely due to gender quotas, many nations are experiencing setbacks. For example, Mongolia tripled its percentage of women in parliament to 25% after implementing a mandatory female candidate quota. Countries without such quotas averaged only 21% female representatives, accentuating the impact of legislative measures on representation.

The participation of women in ministerial positions remains critically low across the board, according to UN Women, with women often relegated to roles related to social affairs, while male counterparts dominate positions in finance and defense. As Julie Ballington from UN Women explains, lacking female voices in key decision-making roles represents a significant missed opportunity.

As female representation falters, research points to several underlying barriers contributing to the stagnation. Studies reveal an ambition gap wherein women often do not envision themselves in senior leadership roles, necessitating encouragement to pursue public office. Additionally, women frequently face financial disadvantages when campaigning for office, compounded by societal expectations regarding caregiving responsibilities.

Moreover, many parliaments still lack basic maternity leave policies, disheartening potential candidates. The structure of electoral systems further complicates the process; countries employing proportional representation tend to elect more women than those using winner-takes-all systems.

A concerning increase in violent and sexist attacks against women in politics, particularly in countries like Mexico, has also contributed to a chilling effect on women aspiring to political office. This year, anti-gender sentiment surged in South Korea, despite a minimal increase in women's election numbers. Such sentiments often fuel perceptions of reverse discrimination, deterring younger women from pursuing political careers.

The implications of these setbacks go beyond fairness; they affect national economies and societal progress. Research indicates that gender-diverse groups yield better decision-making outcomes, essential for varied governance frameworks.

As we reflect on this year’s elections, the narrative must shift from focusing solely on the under-representation of women to recognizing the systemic over-representation of men in politics. Equal representation isn't just a matter of equity; it is essential for effective governance and development.