Women’s equal participation in politics is essential to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), yet global data reveals a long road ahead.
As of June 2025, only 27 countries have 31 women serving as Heads of State or Government. Just 18 have a woman Head of State while 20 have a woman Head of Government, reflecting the challenges for women in politics.
At the current pace, gender equality in top executive positions is unlikely to be achieved for another 130 years. This is a sobering reality that calls for urgent action. Women hold just 22.9% of Cabinet positions globally, and only nine countries have achieved 50% or more women ministers in policy-leading roles.
The most common portfolios for women include gender equality, family affairs, social protection, and culture. These choices highlight persistent gendered role expectations in leadership roles often assumed by women in politics.
WOMEN IN NATIONAL PARLIAMENTS: PROGRESS, BUT NOT FAST ENOUGH
Globally, 27.2% of single or lower house parliamentarians are women—a rise from 11% in 1995, but still far from equal representation.
Only six countries—Rwanda, Cuba, Nicaragua, Andorra, Mexico, and the UAE—have achieved gender parity or better in their national parliaments.
However, 21 countries still report less than 10% women parliamentarians, with three lower chambers having no women at all. This disparity emphasizes ongoing challenges for women in political positions. If current trends persist, global gender parity in legislative bodies won’t be realized before 2063, according to UN projections.
Regional disparities remain stark:
- Latin America and the Caribbean: 36% women
- Europe and Northern America: 33%
- Sub-Saharan Africa: 27%
- Eastern/South-Eastern Asia: 23.5%
- Oceania: 20%
- Northern Africa/Western Asia: 19%
- Central/Southern Asia: 17%
WOMEN IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT: A MIXED PICTURE
Data from 145 countries shows women make up 35.5% of elected members in local deliberative bodies—amounting to over 3 million women.
Only two countries have achieved gender parity in local government. An additional 26 countries report more than 40% women elected at the local level.
Regionally, Central and Southern Asia leads with 41%. Europe and Northern America follow closely at 37%. Eastern and South-Eastern Asia and Oceania both record 31%, showing varying degrees of involvement for women in politics.
Meanwhile, sub-Saharan Africa sits at 26%, and Western Asia/Northern Africa trails with just 20%.
THE IMPACT OF GENDER QUOTAS AND WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP
The Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action calls for balanced political power-sharing between men and women. This goal is still far from reality for most nations.
Gender quotas have proven effective. Countries with legislated quotas have 5 to 7 percentage points higher female representation at national and local levels. Beyond numbers, the quality of governance improves with women in leadership. In India, women-led councils launched 62% more drinking water projects than their male-led counterparts.
In Norway, studies found a direct correlation between female presence in municipal councils and increased childcare services—demonstrating tangible benefits of inclusive leadership. Women also play key roles in championing reforms like gender equality laws, parental leave, anti-violence legislation, and electoral policy—often collaborating across party lines through women’s caucuses, driving initiatives for women in political spheres.
THE WORK FOR GENDER EQUALITY MUST ACCELERATE
While the global push for women’s political inclusion has made gains, significant disparities persist at every level of governance.
Real change requires legislative action, societal support, and strong political will to dismantle the systemic barriers that hinder women’s full participation, especially for women aiming for political roles. Only then can we realize the SDGs and build a world where leadership truly reflects the diversity of the people it serves.
