Power and decision-making; facts and figures 2010

Published by S. Mally, December 2010, Barcelona (Spain)

Globally, women held 19.1% of seats in single/lower chambers of parliament in May 2010, compared to 11.3% in 1995.

Only 28 countries have achieved the 30% target for women in decision-making positions set in the early 1990s.

In early 2010, only 15 Heads of State or Government were women.

Quotas and other temporary special measures, applied in areas such as electoral systems, and corporate and civil service recruitment processes, have played a significant role in increasing the number of women in public life.

Serious challenges persist to women’s full and equal participation in senior decision-making positions, including negative stereotypes about women’s leadership roles, lack of commitment by political parties, inadequate funding and training for women candidates and government officials, and high levels of violence and intimidation against women in public office.