Around the world, women now have more power than ever before. Men still dominate decision-making -- but the number of women is on the rise in parliaments and cabinets, judiciary and police forces, formal employment and education.
Increasing the number of women in political and public positions is important, but does not mean that they real power. Women in public life are often subject to sexism and prejudice. Women are less represented in the sectors and positions with the most power.
This two-year research project on women's voice and leadership in decision-making, funded by DFID, set out to understand the factors that help and hinder women's access to and substantive influence in decision-making processes in politics and society in developing countries. The project also considered whether, as is often assumed, women's leadership advances gender equality and the wellbeing of women more broadly.
Infographics
Women and power: overcoming barriers to leadership and influence
Women and power: how women leaders negotiate Gaza's political reality
Women and power: representation and influence in Malawi's parliament
Women and power: mediating community justice in rural Bangladesh
Women and power: what can the numbers tell us about women's voice, leadership and decision-making?
Women and power: mobilising around Afghanistan's Elimination of Violence Against Women Law
Women and power: shaping the development of Kenya's 2010 constitution
The power to decide: women, decision-making and gender equality
Women’s voice and leadership: assessing the evidence
Support to women and girls’ leadership: a rapid review of the evidence
Do digital information and communications technologies increase the voice and influence of women and girls?
Women and power: overcoming barriers to leadership and influence
Examining when and how women and girls have substantive voice and leadership in decision-making processes within politics, society and the economy.