Stalled Momentum: Female Political Representation Declines Amid Major Elections

With nearly 3.6 billion people participating in major elections worldwide, a concerning trend has emerged: the decrease in the number of women in parliamentary roles. Countries like the US and South Africa reported diminished female representation, as significant barriers and rising gender-based violence continue to challenge progress in political leadership.

In 2024, nearly half of the world's population—approximately 3.6 billion people—participated in numerous major elections, yet this pivotal year has also seen the most sluggish growth in female political representation over the past two decades. A report compiled by the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) indicates that 27 new parliaments now contain fewer women than prior to the elections, impacting nations as diverse as the US, Portugal, Pakistan, India, Indonesia, and South Africa. Alarmingly, the European Parliament also elected fewer women for the first time in its history.

The BBC examined data from 46 countries with confirmed election results, revealing that in about two-thirds of these nations, the number of women elected was lower than before. Despite some gains in countries like the UK, Mongolia, Jordan, and the Dominican Republic—and the historic elections of the first female presidents in Mexico and Namibia—the overall growth in female representation stands at a meager 0.03%. This stands in stark contrast to the significant improvements observed globally between 1995 and 2020.

IPU gender statistician Mariana Duarte Mutzenberg notes that the pace of progress has become "too fragile" in several democracies, citing the Pacific Island nation of Tuvalu, which lost its sole female member of parliament, leaving it without any women in government. Currently, women represent only 8% of parliament in the Pacific Islands and 27% globally, with only 13 nations approaching gender parity.

While some countries have achieved noteworthy advancements through gender quotas—like Mongolia, which increased female representation from 10% to 25% after implementing a 30% candidate quota—those without such measures tend to lag. For instance, nations lacking quotas have an electorate of only 21% women compared to 29% in countries with these policies.

Political will plays a crucial role in reshaping representation, as evidenced in Mexico, where former president Andrés Manuel López Obrador implemented gender parity in the parliament in 2018. However, the situation is more complex at the ministerial level, where female representation remains the lowest across political measurements, usually relegating women to roles focused on social issues rather than finance or defence.

Despite various nations experiencing progress, pervasive barriers hinder women's participation in politics. One significant issue is the ambition gender gap, where women often lack self-confidence or societal encouragement to pursue leadership roles. As political mentor Dr. Rachel George pointed out, a downturn in representation can lead to fewer mentors available for aspiring female politicians, thus perpetuating a cycle of underrepresentation. Financial obstacles further complicate matters, as women often struggle to secure campaign funding or navigate work-life balance, given their additional caregiving responsibilities.

Additionally, the prevalence of violence against women in politics has risen, with accusations of misinformation campaigns targeting female candidates. The toxic environment in several regions, such as Mexico, where candidates have faced threats to their lives, profoundly affects women's willingness to participate.

Reasons behind the stagnation extend beyond violence, as a backlash against female empowerment and growing anti-gender sentiments emerge, notably in South Korea. While there may be slight increases in women's representation, a culture of resistance threatens to discourage further progress.

The stakes of this stagnation extend past basic fairness to economic implications. Diverse parliaments contribute to improved decision-making and enhanced national economies, while women's involvement in peace negotiations significantly increases the likelihood of sustainable outcomes.

UN Women advocate Julie Ballington encourages a shift in perspective: rather than viewing it as the underrepresentation of women, we should acknowledge the substantial overrepresentation of men in positions of power—an imbalance that demands urgent redress.