A Staggering 113 Countries Have Never Had A Woman Head Government

NEW YORK, NY (IANS) – A staggering 113 countries worldwide have never had a woman serve as head of state or government, and only 26 countries are led by women as of June 24 according to UN Women’s global data on Women Political Leaders 2024.

UN Women stated in a press release about the data that positions of power and diplomacy still largely exclude women, with men predominantly occupying the highest levels of influence and decision-making.

Globally, women’s under representation in decision-making remains “a stark reality,” according to the release.

UN Women has published new data on gender parity across leadership positions as the world commemorates the International Day for Women in Diplomacy on June 24, designed to recognize and celebrate how women are breaking barriers and making a difference in diplomacy.

As of January 1, 2024, women hold only 23 percent of ministerial positions, and in 141 countries, they constitute less than a third of cabinet ministers. Seven countries have no women represented in their cabinets at all.

Male dominance in diplomacy and foreign affairs extends to the permanent missions to the UN, where women remain underrepresented as permanent representatives.

As of May 2024, women held 25 percent of permanent representative posts in New York, 35 percent in Geneva, and 33.5 percent in Vienna.

We believe that when women lead, the world is better for all people and the planet. As many countries head to the polls this year, we all must put women first, at the pinnacle of power, where and when it matters the most. Women’s equal participation in governance and leadership is key to improving lives for all,” said UN Women Executive Director Sima Bahous.

Electing and appointing women in leadership positions “signals strong political will for gender equality” and demonstrates a collective commitment to tackling the challenges the world faces today, said the release.

“As we prepare to mark 30 years since the passage of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, the world’s most progressive blueprint for advancing women’s rights, UN Women continues to work to ensure women lead and thrive in shaping and driving positive change, including through occupying the most senior positions of power,” it added.

The Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action was adopted by the Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing in 1995.