Women’s equal participation and leadership in political and public life are crucial for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030, yet data show that women remain underrepresented at all levels of decision-making worldwide. Gender parity in political life is still a distant goal, with progress occurring slowly across executive, legislative, and local government levels.
As of January 2026, only 28 countries have women serving as Heads of State or Government, with just 16 countries having a female Head of State and 21 having a female Head of Government. Globally, women occupy 22.4 per cent of Cabinet minister positions leading policy areas, with only 14 countries achieving gender parity at this level. Women most commonly lead ministries focused on gender equality, family and children’s affairs, and social inclusion and development.
In national parliaments, women make up 27.5 per cent of parliamentarians, a marked increase from 11 per cent in 1995, yet parity is projected to be reached only by 2063 at the current rate. Seven countries have achieved 50 per cent or more women in parliament, while 23 countries have 40 per cent or more. In contrast, 21 states report less than 10 per cent female representation, including three with no women in the lower house at all. Regional variations show higher representation in Latin America and the Caribbean (37 per cent) and Europe and Northern America (33 per cent), with the lowest levels in Central and Southern Asia (17 per cent) and Northern Africa and Western Asia (18.5 per cent).
At the local government level, data from 147 countries indicate that women constitute 36 per cent of elected members in deliberative bodies, with only two countries reaching 50 per cent. Regional representation varies widely, with Central and Southern Asia at 41 per cent, Europe and Northern America at 37 per cent, and Western Asia and Northern Africa at just 19 per cent.
Efforts to expand participation show that legislated gender quotas have contributed to higher representation, with women holding five percentage points more parliamentary seats and seven percentage points more local government positions in countries with quotas. Research demonstrates that women’s leadership improves governance outcomes: in India, women-led local councils increased drinking water projects by 62 per cent, while in Norway, female representation in municipal councils directly improved childcare coverage. Women also drive cross-party initiatives and champion gender equality issues, including gender-based violence prevention, parental leave, childcare, pensions, and electoral reforms.
These findings highlight both the progress made and the continuing need for deliberate policies and mechanisms to ensure women can equally influence political and public life, improving governance and delivering tangible benefits to communities worldwide.
