Women in Local Government 2025
The “Women in Local Government 2025” infographic, published by UN Women as the custodian agency for SDG 5.5.1b, shows that over 3 million women hold seats in local deliberative bodies, accounting for 35.6 per cent of all members, with only two countries achieving parity. The data highlights persistent male dominance and wide regional disparities, ranging from 41.1 per cent women in Central and Southern Asia to just 19.8 per cent in Northern Africa and Western Asia. Gender quotas remain a major driver of progress: 82 countries use them at local level, and those with strong, ambitious quotas average 42 per cent women in local legislatures, compared with only 25 per cent in countries without quotas. The analysis underscores that achieving parity requires political will, 50 per cent targets, robust enforcement, and sustained efforts to prioritize women’s participation in decision-making.