UAE leads international ranking in women’s parliamentary representation
The United Arab Emirates has been at the forefront of international indicators to promote gender equality by spearheading fundamental reforms in that area.
A report prepared by the Inter-Parliamentary Union praised the representation of women in half of its 40 members (20 men and 20 women). The report also concluded that the percentage of women in parliaments in some other countries and around the world is rising.
On the order of the world
The World Economic Forum has published a report on its website, in which the Inter-Parliamentary Union says that “slightly more than 25% of the world’s legislators are women.”
He also noted that the introduction of gender quotas had contributed to many recent gains for women.
According to IPU data, women make up at least half of MPs in six countries, but hold less than 10% of seats in more than 20.
More than two-thirds of countries above the 40% mark have some form of quota, either for candidates or reserved seats, making the introduction of gender quotas a major factor behind many recent gains, according to the IPU.
However, according to UN-Women, at the current rate, gender parity in national legislative bodies worldwide will not be achieved until 2063, as some other countries have not experienced significant change.
Leading countries
According to the report, Rwanda is the country with the largest share of women in the parliament, with 60% holding seats.
The number of women MPs in Tunisia’s parliament, traditionally seen as a pioneer of women’s rights in the region, is set to fall after the recent elections.
Preliminary results indicate that after the vote last December and January, women will only gain 16% of seats, down from 26% in 2021 and 31% in 2018, but still higher than in 2011.
Countries leading the way
According to IPU data, women make up at least half of MPs in six countries, which said that Rwanda was in the lead, with more than 60% of seats held by women, which in 2008 became the first country to have a parliament with a majority of women, and more women than men in Cuba (53%) and Nicaragua.
With regard to the number of seats held by women and men, there was an equal division between New Zealand, Mexico and the United Arab Emirates, while Costa Rica, Iceland, Sweden and South Africa were not far behind.
Arab countries at the bottom of the list
At the bottom of the list is Yemen, where there is no female MP in parliament, while in Vanuatu there is only one, according to the report, which noted that women hold less than 10% of seats in more than 20 countries including Nigeria, 3.6%, Qatar, 4.4% and Iran, 5.6%.
Sri Lanka is also lagging, although it had the world’s first female prime minister in 1960, with only women making up about 5% of the parliament over the past 25 years.
Women in Japan hold only 10% of the seats, and the country ranks among the world’s lowest economies.
Countries at the top
New Zealand, Mexico and the United Arab Emirates are equally divided, while Iceland, Costa Rica, Sweden and South Africa are not far behind.
Dominica, Chad, Mali and Uzbekistan have made significant progress in recent years.
Following last year’s elections, countries that saw gains include Australia, Colombia, Equatorial Guinea, Malta and Slovenia.
To empower women, a new law in Sierra Leone will ensure at least 30% of the parliament and government after elections next June, in which women hold 13% of the seats.
Countries that have appointed female-majority governments include Albania, Colombia, Rwanda and Spain.
Around the world, only five cabinet ministers are women — often given portfolios on issues such as health, family, social affairs and the environment.
Countries in Decline
Globally, Algeria and Tunisia are the main retreats; In 2021, Algeria saw a decrease in the proportion of women in parliament from 26% to 8% following changes in the quota system.
Women in Tunisia say changes in the electoral system have made it difficult for them to compete and win seats, as women’s share of parliamentary representation has decreased.
Since seizing control of the Asian country in 2021, in Afghanistan, the Taliban have removed women from public life, whereas before that year, women held 27% of the seats in the National Assembly.
