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Gender Identity

Femmes et politique : sous-représentation mondiale en 2026

by Omar Benali International 13/03/2026

written by Omar Benali International

Global Political Power Remains Unevenly Distributed as Women’s Leadership Stalls

By [Your Name], Chief International Correspondent, nouvelles-du-monde.com

UNITED NATIONS, March 13, 2026 – Despite incremental gains, women remain significantly underrepresented in global political leadership, with progress toward parity effectively stalled and, in some areas, reversing, according to new data released today by the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and UN Women.

The Women in Politics 2026 map from IPU and UN Women. Credit: UN Women/Ryan Brown.

The data, unveiled during the 70th session of the Commission on the Status of Women at the United Nations, reveals a sobering reality: only 28 countries worldwide are currently led by a woman Head of State or Government. Alarmingly, 101 countries have *never* had a woman leader.

Cabinet Positions See Reversal

The report highlights a concerning trend – a decline in women holding cabinet minister positions. Currently, women occupy just 22.4 percent of these roles globally, a decrease from 23.3 percent in 2024. This marks the first reversal in years of gradual progress. While 14 countries have achieved gender parity in their cabinets, a positive sign, eight countries still have no women ministers at all.

Parliamentary Representation: Slowest Growth in Years

Progress in parliamentary representation remains sluggish. Women now hold 27.5 percent of parliamentary seats worldwide, a slight increase from 27.2 percent in 2025. However, this 0.3 percentage point increase represents the slowest growth recorded since 2017, indicating a significant deceleration in women’s advancement in political decision-making.

Decline in Women Speakers of Parliament

The data also reveals a worrying decline in women holding parliamentary leadership positions. As of January 2026, only 54 women serve as Speakers of Parliament globally, representing 19.9 percent of all Speakers. This is a nearly four-percentage-point decline from the previous year and the first drop in women Speakers in 21 years.

Rising Hostility and Intimidation

The report underscores a disturbing trend of increasing hostility and intimidation faced by women in politics. A significant 76 percent of women parliamentarians surveyed reported experiencing intimidation from the public, compared to 68 percent of their male counterparts. This hostile environment actively discourages women from seeking office and hinders progress toward equal political power.

Gendered Roles Persist

Even when women do attain leadership positions, they are often relegated to portfolios traditionally associated with social sectors. Women lead 90 percent of gender-equality ministries and 73 percent of ministries responsible for family and children’s affairs. Conversely, men overwhelmingly dominate leadership roles in areas like defense, home affairs, justice, economic affairs, governance, health, and education.

The Importance of Women’s Leadership

“At a time of growing global instability, escalating conflicts and a visible backlash against women’s rights, shutting women out of political leadership weakens societies’ ability to respond to the challenges they face,” stated UN Women Executive Director Sima Bahous. “Women bring perspectives and experience that are essential for making better decisions, preventing conflict and building lasting peace.”

IPU President Tulia Ackson emphasized the moral and practical imperative of parity, stating, “Parity is a moral imperative, because women have an equal right to shape the decisions that govern their lives. But it is also the smart thing to do. Institutions make better decisions when they reflect the societies they serve.”

The IPU advocates for the implementation of well-designed quotas and strong political will to accelerate change and ensure women’s voices are heard in democratic decision-making. The organization also stresses the importance of collaboration between men and women to transform political culture and build inclusive parliaments.

The Commission on the Status of Women’s 70th session, concluding March 19, presents a critical opportunity to reverse the rollback of women’s rights and advance gender equality globally.

This article is based on reporting from Inter Press Service.

13/03/2026 0 comments

International

Afghanistan : Flogging public des femmes, atteinte à la dignité

by Omar Benali International 12/03/2026

written by Omar Benali International

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — In Afghanistan, a chilling trend of public corporal punishment, particularly targeting women, is fueling fear and raising serious concerns about human rights under Taliban rule. The practice, which has seen a marked increase in recent months, strips individuals of dignity and underscores a deepening crisis for women in the country.

Earlier this year, a woman was publicly lashed in a provincial town for allegedly committing an extra-marital affair, alongside the man accused with her. The sentence, handed down by the Taliban’s Supreme Court, involved 30 lashes each and a suspended one-year prison term, carried out before local officials and residents. The province’s name has been withheld to protect the woman’s identity.

For Roya, a widowed mother of five struggling to survive in a harsh economic climate, the punishment was a devastating blow. Having lost her husband in a traffic accident six years ago, she has worked tirelessly at various jobs – from farm labor to cleaning houses and sewing – to provide for her children. Her efforts to earn a living, however, were misconstrued, leading to the accusation and subsequent flogging.

“She became a victim of circumstances, not a criminal,” said Naqeeba, a neighbor who has known Roya for years. “The charge was false.” Naqeeba described how Roya was seized without warning, thrown into a vehicle, and taken away without explanation.

The public flogging has left Roya unable to face her community with dignity, according to Naqeeba. “This was not a simple blow. It was a strike that, as long as she lives, she will never be able to hold her head high again in this neighborhood,” she said.

Roya’s case is not isolated. Reports indicate a surge in public punishments. According to Hasht e Subh Daily Media, at least 225 people were publicly flogged in Kabul alone in 2025 – averaging more than one every other day. Numerous other provinces have also carried out dozens of such punishments.

These punishments are often meted out without due process, with confessions reportedly extracted under pressure and the accused denied legal representation. The Taliban dismantled the Attorney General’s Office and the Independent Bar Association of Afghanistan in November 2021, effectively eliminating access to legal defense.

The international community has strongly condemned the escalating violence. Richard Bennett, the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan, has consistently denounced the use of public flogging and other forms of corporal punishment as “inhuman and cruel.” He has repeatedly called on the Taliban to end the death penalty and all corporal punishment, and to respect the rights and dignity of detainees.

The increasing brutality reflects a broader pattern of suppression of dissent and control over Afghan life, four years after the Taliban seized power. According to the Associated Press, the Taliban have secured recognition from Russia and normalized ties across the region while silencing internal opposition.

Roya’s story, and those of countless other women, highlight the immense suffering endured under the current regime, a suffering often hidden from view. The trend of public corporal punishment serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for international attention and action to protect the rights and dignity of all Afghans.

12/03/2026 0 comments

International

Discrimination de genre : il est temps de changer le récit

by Omar Benali International 10/03/2026

written by Omar Benali International

Flipping the Narrative: UN Urges Global Shift in Addressing Gender Discrimination

By [Your Name], International Editor, nouvelles-du-monde.com

UNITED NATIONS, March 10, 2026 – A call to redefine the conversation around gender discrimination resonated at the United Nations today, with a powerful plea to move beyond ingrained biases and celebrate women’s leadership in all its forms. The message, delivered amidst the 70th session of the Commission on the Status of Women, challenges long-held societal perceptions of how women should behave and lead.

For generations, women have faced a double standard, criticized for being “too emotional” or “too ambitious,” and scrutinized for everything from their attire to their leadership styles. As highlighted by Annalena Baerbock, President of the General Assembly, this pattern of judgment is not new, but it’s a pattern that demands change.

“We have heard it all,” Baerbock stated in an opinion piece released today by Inter Press Service. “When a woman raises her voice, she’s too emotional. When she stands her ground, she’s too difficult. When she leads, she’s too ambitious.”

The argument for dismantling these biases isn’t simply about fairness; it’s about global progress. Evidence consistently demonstrates the positive impact of women’s participation in all sectors of society. When girls stay in school, economies grow. When women enter the workforce, productivity increases. And when women are involved in peace negotiations, agreements are more durable. Furthermore, institutions led by women demonstrate greater resilience.

The UN’s focus on this issue comes at a critical time. The need for a shift in perspective was underscored by a reference to Dr. Hansa Mehta of India, who, 80 years ago, successfully advocated for changing the wording of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights to affirm that “all human beings” – not just men – are born free and equal. This seemingly small change had a profound impact, embedding the principle of gender equality into the foundation of international human rights law.

Baerbock’s call to action, framed as reclaiming the hashtag #LikeAWoman, builds on the legacy of trailblazers like Mehta and contemporary figures like Serena Williams, who famously urged others to embrace what makes them unique.

The urgency of this message extends to pressing global challenges. Baerbock specifically cited the ongoing struggles faced by women and girls in Afghanistan, the need to end forced marriages, and the demand for justice for survivors of sexual abuse and exploitation – referencing cases like those revealed in the Epstein files. She also emphasized the need for equal representation and pay for women in all fields, including newsrooms, boardrooms, governments, and within the United Nations itself.

The message is clear: achieving true equality requires a fundamental shift in how society perceives and values women. It’s time, the UN argues, to flip the narrative and celebrate women for who they are – empathetic, ambitious, and capable of leading the world toward a more just and equitable future.

10/03/2026 0 comments