Impact
The IPU facilitates parliamentary diplomacy and empowers parliaments and parliamentarians to promote peace, democracy and sustainable development around the world.
Achieving gender equality, action by action.
The IPU is pleased to announce its new gender campaign for 2025, Achieving gender equality, action by action.
This initiative marks a pivotal year, in which the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, the global blueprint for gender equality, is marking its 30th anniversary.
The campaign aims to mobilize the global parliamentary community to accelerate progress in achieving gender equality in politics and society.
With progress on women’s representation in parliaments stalling, and a concerning rollback of women’s rights in some countries, the campaign emphasizes the urgency of immediate action.
Gender equality isn’t just a concept—it’s about action. Every change starts somewhere: with a voice, an election, a law. Change comes piece by piece, action by action.
- Promoting parity in parliament and politics
- Encouraging gender-sensitive institutions
- Combating gender-based violence and discrimination
Join the IPU President, Secretary General and President of the Forum of Women Parliamentarians and share what actions you will take to support IPU's new Gender Parity Campaign- Action by Action!
The IPU report Women in parliament 1995-2025 commemorates 30 years since the 1995 Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, the landmark UN framework which set out a roadmap for gender equality and women’s rights. This new IPU report analyses three decades of women in national parliaments. How did the percentage of seats held by women rise from 11.3% in 1995 to 27.2% in 2025? Find out more in this short video.
In 2025, the IPU Forum of Women Parliamentarians is celebrating its 40th anniversary. Initially an informal women’s global caucus, the first of its kind in 1985, the Forum has since evolved into a powerful platform for women MPs worldwide, driving significant advancements in gender equality and women's rights. Which 40 women have left their mark on the Forum, broken new ground for women’s representation in politics and advanced gender equality in the world? Find out more in this short retrospective.
Gender equality isn’t just a concept—it’s about action. Every change starts somewhere: with a voice, an election, a law. Change comes piece by piece, action by action.
Yet, progress is slow. Today, only 27% of MPs worldwide are women, and in 2024, global representation increased by just 0.3 percentage points.
Women in politics continue to face sexism, harassment, and gender-based violence, and in some countries, rights are regressing.
However, change is coming. Leaders are turning commitments into change. Parliaments are becoming more gender-sensitive, zero tolerance for violence against women is advancing, and laws and policies are empowering women and girls.