As 2025 approaches, new data from the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and UN Women show that progress towards gender equality in political leadership is painfully slow. We are nearing the 30th anniversary this year of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, a landmark roadmap for gender equality and women’s rights. Yet men remain firmly in control of executive and legislative roles around the world.
"The world is experiencing significant elections, and progress towards having more women in politics is relatively slow," stated the IPU President Tulia Ackson. She called for bold steps to break down barriers and foster equal representation. Martin Chungong, Secretary General of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) noted that while a critical mass of women was essential, men must also be part of the solution, calling for a joint effort to ensure the development of more inclusive leadership.
On the issue of gender, progress is slow, in many cases the Executive Director of UN Women Sima Bahous cautioned is reversing. Moving forward, she was calling for immediate action — “quotas, electoral reforms and political will to remove barriers to systemic action.”
Leveling the playing field in the world’s cabinets has been slow. Only nine countries — mostly in Europe — have achieved gender-equal cabinets, where at least 50 percent of ministers are women. Others include Nicaragua (64.3%), Finland (61.1%), Iceland (60%), Liechtenstein (60%), Estonia (58.3%) and Andorra, Chile, Spain, and the UK at 50%. This is down from 15 in 2024.
Women hold between 40 per cent and 49.9 per cent of cabinet positions in a further 20 countries — half of them in Europe. But some areas are still falling short: Nine countries, mostly in Asia and the Pacific, had no women in ministerial roles, up from seven in 2024.
The very highest proportion of women in cabinets is found in Europe and North America (31.4%) and Latin America and the Caribbean (30.4%). But representation is still dire in parts of the world, including the Pacific Islands (10.2%) and Central and Southern Asia (9%).
While still underrepresented, women heading specific policy sectors are on the rise, including culture (35.4%), education (30.6%) and tourism (30.5%).
Regional inequalities are still very much in evidence:
Thirty years after the Beijing Declaration, gender equality in political leadership remains an unfulfilled promise. The report highlights these immediate needs, including requiring quotas, changing electoral systems and building political will to ensure women have an equal seat at the table.
UN Women is the United Nations entity that fights for gender equality and the empowerment of women. It is a global champion for women’s rights, with a special focus on supporting women’s participation in decision-making and leadership roles, as well as accelerating progress toward gender equality.
Politics Has Not Yet Become Gender Neutral
According to the 2025 edition of the IPU–UN Women "Women in Politics" report, men outnumber women by more than three to one in political leadership. The proportion of women members in national parliaments has risen to 27.2% (+0.3%), whilst the proportion of women in government has decreased by 0.4%"The world is experiencing significant elections, and progress towards having more women in politics is relatively slow," stated the IPU President Tulia Ackson. She called for bold steps to break down barriers and foster equal representation. Martin Chungong, Secretary General of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) noted that while a critical mass of women was essential, men must also be part of the solution, calling for a joint effort to ensure the development of more inclusive leadership.
On the issue of gender, progress is slow, in many cases the Executive Director of UN Women Sima Bahous cautioned is reversing. Moving forward, she was calling for immediate action — “quotas, electoral reforms and political will to remove barriers to systemic action.”
Only a Handful of Women Lead in Top Roles
Yet though 2024 has seen some historic milestones in recent months, when countries like Mexico, Namibia and North Macedonia elected their first female presidents, just 25 countries around the world are presently led by women. In Europe, 12 countries feature women in top leadership roles, more than anywhere else in the world. But 106 states have never had a woman at the helm.Reduction in Women’s Presence in Government Cabinets
Ministerial figures show only, as of 1 January 2025, 22.9% of government ministers are women, down from 23.3% in 2024. That’s because 64 countries saw declines, 63 stagnation and just 62 improvements.Leveling the playing field in the world’s cabinets has been slow. Only nine countries — mostly in Europe — have achieved gender-equal cabinets, where at least 50 percent of ministers are women. Others include Nicaragua (64.3%), Finland (61.1%), Iceland (60%), Liechtenstein (60%), Estonia (58.3%) and Andorra, Chile, Spain, and the UK at 50%. This is down from 15 in 2024.
Women hold between 40 per cent and 49.9 per cent of cabinet positions in a further 20 countries — half of them in Europe. But some areas are still falling short: Nine countries, mostly in Asia and the Pacific, had no women in ministerial roles, up from seven in 2024.
The very highest proportion of women in cabinets is found in Europe and North America (31.4%) and Latin America and the Caribbean (30.4%). But representation is still dire in parts of the world, including the Pacific Islands (10.2%) and Central and Southern Asia (9%).
Disproportionate Gender Representation in Ministerial Portfolios
Women in government are often put in “gender aunt” roles, dealing with policy areas related to gender equality, human rights and social issues, while men fill the key positions in foreign affairs, finance, home affairs and defense.While still underrepresented, women heading specific policy sectors are on the rise, including culture (35.4%), education (30.6%) and tourism (30.5%).
Women in Parliament: Stalling Progress
In 2024, however, the pace of progress against the trend has been the slowest since 2017, despite it being a significant election year.Regional inequalities are still very much in evidence:
- The Americas are in the lead with 34.5% of parliamentary seats occupied by women, closely followed by Europe with 31.8%.
- The percentages are lowest in the Middle East and North Africa, where women hold 16.7% of parliamentary seats.
- The number of women Speakers of Parliament has increased slightly, with now 64 of the 270 positions held by women (23.7%), compared to 22.7% in 2023.
- The proportion of Women Deputy Speakers has increased from 28.9% in 2023 to 32.6% in 2026.
A Call for Action
The report’s findings were shared to coincide with the 69th session of the Commission on the Status of Women, the largest UN meeting on gender equality.Thirty years after the Beijing Declaration, gender equality in political leadership remains an unfulfilled promise. The report highlights these immediate needs, including requiring quotas, changing electoral systems and building political will to ensure women have an equal seat at the table.
About the IPU and UN Women
Founded in 1889, the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) is the world organization of national parliaments. By working to strengthen parliaments and encouraging gender balance in politics it will promote peace, democracy, and sustainable development. The IPU comprises 181 national Member Parliaments and 15 regional parliamentary organizations.UN Women is the United Nations entity that fights for gender equality and the empowerment of women. It is a global champion for women’s rights, with a special focus on supporting women’s participation in decision-making and leadership roles, as well as accelerating progress toward gender equality.
