Measuring power and decision-making from a

gender perspective

Session outline

1. Demands for data2. Three main indicators3. Data sources4. Female legislators, senior officials and managers5. Women’s share of national parliament6. Practical activity: making the case for change

Women in power and decision-making

1995 20150

10

20

30

40

50

11.3

22.6

Women's share of parliamentary seats (%)

Equal representation (50%)

Increasing women’s representation in powerful and decision-making positions a critical area of concern (Beijing Platform of Action (1995))

Three main indicators

1. Female legislators, senior officials and managers (% of total)

2. Women’s share of members of national parliament (%)3. Women’s share of senior level civil servants (%)

• Core ministers• Heads of universities• Board members• Judges• Police officers

Data sourcesIndicator Data source

Female legislators, senior officials and managers (% of total)

Labour force surveysPopulation and housing censusesAny survey that collects occupation

Women’s share of members of national parliament (%)

National parliament records

Women’s share of senior level civil servants (%)

National civil service authorityLabour Force SurveysPopulation censusesAny survey that collects occupation

Female legislators, senior officials and managers (% of total)

• Based on occupation• International Standard

Classification of Occupations (ISCO)• Major Group 1• 1988 version:

Legislators, senior officials and managers • 2008: Managers

Armenia

Kyrgyzstan

Georgia

Azerbaijan

Kazakhstan

Russian Federation

Ukraine

Republic of Moldova

Belarus

2001

2012

2007

2012

2010

2012

2012

2012

2009

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50

23.9

32.3

34

34.2

37.2

39.1

39.9

44.1

46.2

High representation of women among the top jobsFemale share (%) of legislators, senior officials and managers, selected countries, latest year available

Percent (%)

Source: ILO (2015), Women in Business and Management: Gaining Momentum, Global Report. ILO: Geneva.

How to interpret and use this indicator

• Wide variation across countries and regions• the majority in three countries (Jamaica: 59.3%; Colombia:

53.1%; and Saint Lucia: 52.3%)• a miniscule share in countries like Pakistan (3.0%), Algeria

(4.9%), Jordan (5.1%), and Bangladesh (5.4%)• Examine changes over time• Look at different forms of management

• Policy interventions • affirmative action to attract and retain women in senior

positions• leadership training for women • identifying role models and champions to encourage women

to enter management

Women’s share of members of national parliament (%)

• Single or lower house of national parliament• % of occupied seats• Update after

elections, bi-elections, other changes to parliament

Kyrgyzs

tan

Republic of M

oldova

Tajikist

an

Uzbekis

tan

Azerb

aijan

Russian Fe

deration

Ukraine

Georgia

Armenia

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

23.3% 21.8%19.0%

16.0% 15.6%13.6% 12.1% 11.3% 10.7%

Women in Kyrgyzstan parliament just above global averageWomen’s share of members of national parliament (%), 2010-

2015

Percent (%)

Notes: Azerbaijian and Kyrgyzstan data refers to 2010; for Russian Federation data refer to 2011; for Armenia and Georgia data refers to 2012; for Republic of Moldova, Ukraine and Ukbekistan data refers to 2014; and for Tajikistan data refer to 2015.Source: Inter Parliamentary Union (IPU) (www.ipu.org/wmn-e/classif.htm )

Global average is 22.6% (2015)

How to interpret and use this indicator

• Presence in parliament does not guarantee influence• Cabinet / core ministers• Role on parliamentary commitees

• Existence of quotas (temporary special measures)• Reserved seats for women• Percentage of candidates

• Consider sub-national and local government• Voter registration and turnout

Practical activity:Making the case for changeTaskBased on the data provided in the handouts, identify statistics you can use to argue the case for a policy to increase women’s representation in powerful positions (you have 30 minutes).

Prepare a brief (2-3 minute) presentation on flip chart paper to make your case.