resource
Nov. 1 2011
Resource
Proportion of Seats Held by Women in National Parliaments (Keeping Track)
Description
Women’s influence, as measured by seats in national parliaments, is steadily risingIn the realm of gender parity, one indicator is the number of women in national parliaments. This figure has risen steadily over the last 20 years, from roughly 12% in 1997 to 19% in 2010, representing a 60% increase. This equals over 8 600 seats in more than 170 countries, up from just over 4 000 in 1997 (IPU 2011). “But this is far short of the target of 30% of women in leadership positions that was to be met by 1995, and further still from the MDG target of gender parity” (UN 2010). Women play a key role in improving environmental-related legislation and seeing that these measures are adequately funded and implemented.
This graphic is part of the publication Keeping Track of Our Changing Environment.
