World Economic Forum report warns gender parity gains at risk

A World Economic Forum report released this week warns that the advances made over the past twenty years toward gender parity in politics are now reversing. The analysis shows a measurable decline in women’s representation across national legislatures, eroding the gains achieved since the early 2000s and putting the goal of equal political participation in jeopardy.

If the current downward trend continues, the report estimates that it will take another 120 years to close the remaining gap between men and women in elected office. The projection is based on recent data showing a drop in the percentage of women holding parliamentary seats in several regions, offsetting earlier increases. The findings highlight the need for renewed policy focus and institutional measures to sustain and accelerate progress toward gender-balanced governance.