Source: IPU
The data in the table has been compiled by the Inter-Parliamentary Union on the basis of information provided by National Parliaments by 31 December 2012. 190 countries are classified by descending order of the percentage of women in the lower or single House. Comparative data on the world and regional averages as well as data concerning the two regional parliamentary assemblies elected by direct suffrage can be found on separate pages.

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Source: The Economist
ALMOST 20% of the world’s parliamentary seats are now occupied by women, up from 17.2% five years ago, according to the Inter-Parliamentary Union. Nordic countries have the highest share of women in single or lower houses of parliament, averaging 42%. Europe, Africa and Asia follow with around 19-20% of total seats.

Source: UN Women
The current handbook is intended to provide a quick reference guide to assist headquarters- and fieldbased actors from the United Nations, Governments and civil society working to promote greater participation of women in electoral processes in post-conflict countries. The handbook found its inspiration in the issues and findings of the Expert Group meeting held in Glen Cove, NY, in January 2004, organized jointly by the Office of the Special Adviser on Gender Issues and Advancement of women (OSAGI) and the Electoral Assistance Division of the Department of Political Affairs (EAD), as well as in the knowledge and experience accumulated by the United Nations in assisting countries that emerge from conflict. The handbook was prepared by OSAGI and EAD in consultation with a network of experts from within and outside the Organisation.

Source: SNV - Netherlands Development Organisation
SNV, Netherlands Development organisation, produced a manual on gender and local governance - an overview of the literature and websites on gender and governance processes, underlining strategies and best practices. Special emphasis is given on local governance in the region of West Africa, as it serves as a base for pilot projects concerning gender and local governance in this region. Appendixes include an annotated bibliography, and further websites, toolkits, knowledge institutions and databases (statistics).

Source: ASWAT
Municipal government, the order of government that is closest to the people, is well-positioned to influence grassroots change. The Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) believes that change should include increasing the number of women on municipal councilsin Canada, where they have been historically under-represented. Women make up 50 per cent of Canada’s population but only 23 per cent of municipal councils. The mandateof FCM’s Standing Committee on Increasing Women’s Participation in MunicipalGovernment is to encourage and support more women’s participation in municipal decisionmaking processes, including elected office.

Source: Women's Learning Partnership for Rights, Development, and Peace (WLP) 
Women's Learning Partnership for Rights, Development, and Peace (WLP) published Strategizing for Democracy: Challenges and Opportunities for Women in the MENA Region. This white paper compiles many of the insights presented during a WLP-convened March 2, 2012 strategy meeting of activists and experts from across the world who discussed the causes, consequences, threats and opportunities presented by the revolutions sweeping the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) over the past year and a half.

Source: NDI.org
Whether you are part of an established organizaion or associaion, an aspiring poliician,an individual with a project idea or someone struggling to balance too many roles and responsibiliies in your life, this guide is designed to provide you with the basic tools necessary to start taking acion in your community on the issues that mater most to you.

Source: UN
In accordance with its multi-year programme of work for 2001-2006, the Commission on the  Status of Women (CSW) will consider “Equal participation of women and men in decision-making processes at all levels” as one of two thematic issues during its fiftieth session in 2006.

Source: Learning Partnership.org 
The Leading to Action handbook is structured to be used in a workshop setting, and can be easily modified by those who use it. Lessons and exercisesare designed to be changed, omitted, or borrowed to maximize their value, or adapted to meet the unique needs of each workshop group.It includes an overview of the purpose and nature of political participation entitled “Essentials of Political Participation.” “Guidelines for Facilitators” explains the structure of the workshop sessions and how to get the most out of them.

Source: International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance ( IDEA)
The content of a constitution provides a blueprint for the operation of a state, guarantees rights and outlines mechanisms for their enforcement, as well as shapes the future of a nation. Constitutions that emerge after conflict are often a result of negotiated settlements and competition between many forces including identity-based groups, former parties to conflict, political and military actors and international actors.

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