In August 2020, the Autonomous Region of Bougainville held the first general election since the region voted overwhelmingly for separation from Papua New Guinea last year. Voters headed to the polls to elect the new president and representatives responsible for establishing the world’s newest independent country.

Member of Parliament (MP) Wafa Bani Mustafa knew that in order to change the status quo in Jordan, one in which no woman has ever made it to the head of the parliament or head of the government, she would need to tackle one main hurdle - violence against women in public life.  Political violence, whether its exclusion, harassment, bullying or physical attacks, has detrimental effects on the participation and presence of women in decision-making processes. In Jordan, women involved in politics tend to face cyberbullying, harassment and death threats.

Amidst this year’s health crisis caused by the pandemic and the worsening economic situation in Iraq, a group of women members of parliament (MPs) comes together across different political parties, sects, and ethnic backgrounds to address one common cause: combating domestic violence. 

Kenya’s 2010 constitution established a groundbreaking gender quota, requiring “not more than two-thirds of elective public bodies shall be of the same gender.” Ten years later, after numerous attempts, the government still has not adopted legislation to fully implement this constitutional requirement. As a result, this September 21, the Chief Justice of Kenya advised President Uhuru Kenyatta to dissolve parliament.

On October 11, we will celebrate International Day of the Girl Child, an occasion to recognize the power of adolescent girls and young women worldwide as changemakers and leaders. Despite persistent barriers, girls and young women are continuing to lead political and social movements and contributing to democratic resilience worldwide.