Definition
The proportion of seats held by women in national parliaments is the number of seats held by women expressed as a percentage of all occupied seats.
Goal/target addressed
Goal 3. Promote gender equality and empower women.
Target 4. Eliminate gender disparity in primary and secondary education preferably by 2005 and in all levels of education no later than 2015.
Rationale
Women’s representation in parliaments is one aspect of women’s opportunities in political and public life, and it is therefore linked to women’s empowerment.
Method of computation
The indicator is obtained by dividing the number of parliamentary seats occupied by women by the total number of seats occupied. National parliaments consist of one or two chambers. For international comparisons, generally only the single or lower house is considered in calculating the indicator.
Data collection and source
At the national level, the data come from the records of national parliaments. National parliaments also report the total number of parliamentary seats and the number occupied by women and men to the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), which regularly compiles international data series and global and regional aggregates.
References
Inter-Parliamentary Union, www.ipu.org/wmn-e/world.htm.
Progress of the World’s Women, 2000, United Nations Development Fund for Women (www.unifem.undp.org/progressww/2000).
Human Development Report, annual, United Nations Development Programme (www.undp.org/hdr).
World Development Indicators, annual, World Bank, (www.worldbank.org/data).
Periodicity of measurement
The data are commonly available from national parliaments and updated after an election. National parliaments also transmit their data to the IPU at least once a year and when the numbers change significantly, such as after an election.
Gender issues
Women are under-represented in all decision-making bodies and within political parties, particularly at the higher echelons. Women still face many practical obstacles to the full exercise of their role and political life.
International data comparisons
The IPU regularly compiles international data series and global and regional aggregates.
Inter-Parliamentary Union, www.ipu.org/wmn-e/world.htm.
Human Development Report, annual, United Nations Development Programme (www.undp.org/hdr).
World Development Indicators, annual, World Bank, (www.worldbank.org/data).
Comments and limitations
Parliaments vary considerably in their independence and authority, though they generally engage in law making, oversight of government and representation of the electorate. In terms of measuring women’s real political decision-making, this indicator may not be sufficient, because women still face many obstacles in fully and efficiently carrying out their parliamentary mandate. Thus, being a member of parliament, especially in developing countries and emerging democracies, does not guarantee that a woman has the resources, respect or constituency to exercise significant influence.
Agencies
National parliaments.
Inter-Parliamentary Union.