Frank Hester’s words are only the latest extreme example of the constant discrimination black and ethnic minority women face when they enter public life.
Data show young Australian women are less politically engaged than men. Given the negative experiences of female politicians, that’s hardly surprising. But there’s a glimmer of hope.
Supporters listen to Republican presidential hopeful Nikki Haley speak at a campaign event in Beaufort, S.C., on Feb. 21, 2024.
Julia Nikhinson /AFP via Getty Images
While Nikki Haley trails Donald Trump in polling ahead of the South Carolina primary, the estimates don’t capture the Democrats and independents who are also able to vote in the Republican primary.
New research shows giving women more resources to balance their competing work and domestic lives would help even gender disparity at all levels of political representation.
As the country prepares to go to the polls on February 14, will the low representation of women in parliament improve? Given the systemic barriers in place, probably not.
Burundi president Evariste Ndayishimiye votes in 2020.
Evrard Ngendakumana/Xinhua via Getty Images
Watching a woman character star in a fictional political TV drama can spark viewers, particularly women, to vote, campaign for a politician or find other ways to become involved in politics.
Claudia Sheinbaum, the favorite to become Mexico’s first female president.
AP Photo/Marco Ugarte
Women represent half of Mexico’s Congress and hold key positions in politics and the judiciary. But the country is still dogged by high rates of femicide.
Women’s representation in Zimbabwe’s parliament has declined in spite of a quota imposed in 2013.
Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth Marci Ien rises during Question Period in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa in October 2022.
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
Feminist movements are giving women a louder voice than ever, but those at the top of their game are routinely expected to deal with abuse and threats of violence.
Elly Schlein’s surprise election as head of the Democratic Party means for the first time, Italy’s governing and opposition parties are both led by women.
EPA/Fabio Frustaci
Boothroyd smashed the glass ceiling just as House of Commons proceedings began being broadcast, which made her no-nonsense interventions even more famous.
Women protesting the failure of the gender equality bills on International Women’s Day in 2022.
Adekunle Ajayi/NurPhoto via Getty
Female leaders tend to open people’s perceptions of what is possible for other women in politics – but the job is also still fraught with double standards and unique risks.
U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez watches Donald Trump’s state of the union address in 2019 with other female Democratic lawmakers.
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