Two decades ago, in the United Nations, all the world leaders had made a promise to have women make up at least 30% of their national legislatures.
However, for most of the world’s parliaments this is yet to become reality. According to an analysis by the Inter-Parliamentary Union, among 190 countries, only 44 legislatures have met the goal of 30% women.
The countries that have attained the 30% goal includes, Rwanda and Bolivia. In Rwanda, 64% of members of its lower house are women while the Bolivian parliament comprises of 53% women members.
The US too misses the target
Interestingly, the US, which is regarded as the spearhead of the freedom and humanity in the world, is not among those that met the target. In the US, Among members of the House of Representatives 19% are women, and in the Senate, the figure is 20%.
Situation in India
In India, which is regarded as the world’s most populous democracy, women’s representation is even lower.
For lower house of the parliament it is 12% while 12.8% for the upper house.
Contradiction between the Statistics and Reality
The representation of women in parliament does not directly reflect the status of women in that country.
In Afghanistan, 27% of the members of the lower-house are female but the measures of women’s health, education and well-being are among the worst in the world.
Whereas in Australia, though the figure is less, by most standards the situation of women is far better.
