Overview of women’s participation in national politics

A whole century and decades have passed since the first act of women’s bold suffrage movement was initiated.  Indeed, progress has been made in the years that followed with women having the right to vote and later on be elected all over the world.  Albeit the de jure recognition of women’s rights to participate in politics and public administration, de facto the world still has to make strides in giving space for women.  The 2020 UN Women and Inter-Parliamentary Union Situation Sheet on Women in Politics[1], indicates out of 190 countries reviewed only 14 countries have ≥ 50% women in ministerial posts.  Spain is in the lead with 66.7% followed by Finland at 61.1% of its posts held by women ministers.  The last nine countries including Saudi Arabia, Thailand and Vietnam that are at the bottom have 0.0% of women in ministerial posts.   Ethiopia with the 10 women ministers appointed in 2018 out of 21 ministerial posts, ranks 16^th with a rate of 47.6%.  Out of 1,451 portfolios in 190 countries, the majority of portfolios populated by women are Minister of the Family/Children/Youth/Elderly/Disabled at 112 and Social Affairs also at 112.  Portfolios in the middle-range include sports, justice, health, housing/urban affairs, home affairs, and agriculture.  The portfolio held least by women ministers is parliamentary affairs, with only seven incumbents.

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