A new report finds women’s political representation stagnating; and in some areas reversing; despite decades of advocacy for equal leadership.
Just 28 of the world’s 196 nations are currently led by a woman, and 101 countries have never had a female head of state or government — a stark reminder that political power remains overwhelmingly concentrated in the hands of men, according to new data released Monday by the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and UN Women.
The annual Women in Politics 2026 report paints a picture of near-standstill progress — and in some critical areas, outright regression. Women hold just 22.4 per cent of cabinet minister positions globally, down from 23.3 per cent in 2024, reversing years of slow but steady gains. Parliamentary representation edged up only marginally, to 27.5 per cent from 27.2 per cent in 2025, recording the second consecutive year of the slowest growth since 2017.
“When women are shut out of political leadership, decisions that shape peace, security, and economic priorities are made without half of the world’s experience at the table.”
— Sima Bahous, UN Women Executive Director
Perhaps most alarming is a new low in parliamentary leadership. As of January 2026, only 54 women serve as Speakers of Parliament worldwide — representing just 19.9 per cent of the total — a nearly four-percentage-point drop from the previous year and the first recorded decline in women Speakers in 21 years. Even when women do reach the cabinet table, they are largely confined to a narrow set of portfolios. Women lead 90 per cent of gender-equality ministries and 73 per cent of family and children’s affairs ministries, but men continue to dominate defense, justice, economic affairs, home affairs, and health. The data underscores a persistent pattern in which women are assigned to “soft” portfolios while men retain control over security and economic power.
The hostile environment facing women in politics may be contributing to the slow progress. The report found that 76 per cent of women parliamentarians surveyed reported experiencing intimidation from the public — online and offline — compared with 68 per cent of men, a disparity researchers say deters women from seeking or remaining in office.
Fourteen countries have achieved gender parity in their cabinets, demonstrating that equal representation is achievable with sufficient political will. But eight countries still have no women ministers at all. “Institutions make better decisions when they reflect the societies they serve,” said IPU President Tulia Ackson. “They are better able to identify bias, design fairer responses, and earn public trust when women from all backgrounds are present, and influential, at every level.”
IPU Secretary General Martin Chungong called for concrete action, citing well-designed quotas and cross-party cooperation. “Men and women must work together as equal partners to transform political culture, challenge stereotypes, and build inclusive parliaments that reflect the people they represent,” he said. The findings land as the United Nations convenes its 70th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70), described by advocates as a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reverse the rollback of women’s rights globally. “The future of democracy will be stronger, fairer, and more resilient when women are equally represented in decision-making at all levels,” the report concludes.
