The Impact of Women's Political Leadership on Democracy and Development

WomenΓÇÖs minimal leadership role in national and local political spheres remains a serious concern worldwide. The Commonwealth Gender Plan of Action for Gender Equality 2005ΓÇô2015 calls on governments to introduce measures to promote at least 30 per cent representation of women in parliament, government and business.The Impact of WomenΓÇÖs Political Leadership on Democracy and Development describes the barriers to womenΓÇÖs political participation and explains why the contribution of women is so crucial to democracy. It identifies established strategies ΓÇô electoral reform (New Zealand), party voluntary quotas (South Africa), and legislative quotas (Bangladesh and India) ΓÇô that have helped these Commonwealth countries to meet the global target of 30 per cent and thus to effectively advance the participation of women in decision-making at all levels.