Women's Political Leadership (WPL): Empowering Female Decision-Makers Globally
Women's Political Leadership (WPL) is a global initiative dedicated to increasing the participation of women in political spheres. Rather than focusing on classical gender policies, WPL emphasizes the promotion of female leadership through a multifaceted approach that includes academic research, advocacy campaigns, and the organization of high-level global and regional summits.
At the heart of WPL's mission are its Summits, which serve as vital platforms for female politicians to engage in political dialogue. These gatherings allow decision-makers to share perspectives on a wide array of contemporary policy areas, fostering international cooperation and leadership development.
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Key Facts
- Core Focus: Promoting women's political participation through summits, research, and advocacy.
- Global Reach: Summits have hosted hundreds of Members of Parliament (MPs) from nearly 100 different countries.
- Diverse Locations: Events have been held in Europe, Africa, North America, the Middle East, and Asia.
- High-Level Engagement: Keynote speakers frequently include Presidents, Prime Ministers, and leaders of international organizations like the UN, OECD, and WHO.
A History of WPL Global Summits
Since its inception, WPL has organized a series of influential summits, each tailored to specific regional contexts or global milestones.
Foundational Years (2013–2014)
The Inaugural Summit, "Advancing Society," took place in 2013 at the European Parliament in Brussels. Marking the 120th anniversary of women's suffrage in New Zealand, the event drew 400 MPs from 100 countries. Notable speakers included Portia Simpson-Miller (Jamaica), Ellen Johnson Sirleaf (Liberia), and Jóhanna Sigurðardóttir (Iceland).
In 2014, the Summer Summit moved to the Parliament of Rwanda, coinciding with the 20th Commemoration of the Genocide in Rwanda. With women making up 64% of its parliament, Rwanda stands as a global champion of female representation. This summit featured Erna Solberg (Norway) and President Paul Kagame (Rwanda).
Expanding Influence (2015–2016)
2015 saw two major events. The first, "New Leadership for Global Challenges," was held at the African Union Headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, aligning with Africa's Agenda 2063. It hosted 400 MPs from 90 countries. The second, "Make it Happen! Influence and Power of Women in Parliaments," took place at the Senate of Mexico, marking the 40th anniversary of the First World Conference on Women and following Mexico's 2014 constitutional reform regarding gender parity (the equal representation of women and men) in candidate lists.
In 2016, WPL expanded into the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region with the "Women in Politics: Fast Forward" summit in Jordan. This event brought together 200 MPs from 80 countries, featuring speakers such as Dalia Grybauskaite (Lithuania) and Marie Louise Coleiro Preca (Malta).
Strengthening Global Networks (2017–2019)
The 2017 "We can do it!" summit in Reykjavík, Iceland, was held in collaboration with the Althingi (Iceland's Parliament) and the Council of Women World Leaders (CWWL), convening 400 female leaders.
In 2018, the "It's about time! 100 Reasons to Act" summit was hosted by the Seimas (Parliament of Lithuania) in Vilnius. Under the patronage of President Dalia Grybauskaitė, the event focused on the collective power of female Heads of State and Government.
The 2019 summit, "Taking Actions to Advance Society Through SDGs," marked WPL's first venture into the Asia-Pacific region, held in Tokyo, Japan. 400 leaders from 87 countries attended. The resulting Outcome Declaration was presented to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe during the G20 Summit in Osaka, highlighting the integration of women's empowerment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
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WPL Summit Summary
| Year | Location | Theme/Focus | Approx. Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Brussels, Belgium | Advancing Society | 400 MPs (100 countries) |
| 2014 | Kigali, Rwanda | Genocide Commemoration | 200 MPs (51 countries) |
| 2015 | Addis Ababa, Ethiopia | New Leadership for Global Challenges | 400 MPs (90 countries) |
| 2015 | Mexico City, Mexico | Influence and Power of Women | 200 MPs (60 countries) |
| 2016 | Amman, Jordan | Women in Politics: Fast Forward | 200 MPs (80 countries) |
| 2017 | Reykjavík, Iceland | We can do it! | 400 leaders |
| 2018 | Vilnius, Lithuania | It's about time! 100 Reasons to Act | Global Heads of State/MPs |
| 2019 | Tokyo, Japan | Advancing Society Through SDGs | 400 leaders (87 countries) |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary goal of Women's Political Leadership (WPL)?
WPL aims to promote women's political participation through global and regional summits, academic research, and advocacy campaigns that foster female leadership.
How does WPL differ from traditional gender policy organizations?
WPL's work is not focused on classical gender policies, but rather on the active promotion of female leadership and political participation.
Which country is cited as a global champion for female parliamentary representation?
Rwanda is recognized as the global champion, with women making up 64% of its Parliament.
What was the significance of the 2019 WPL Summit in Japan?
It was the first WPL Summit held in the Asia-Pacific region, and its Outcome Declaration was presented to the Prime Minister of Japan during the G20 Summit in Osaka.
What is gender parity in the context of the Mexican Senate summit?
Gender parity refers to the principle of equal representation, specifically the 2014 Mexican Constitutional reform that requires political parties to maintain gender parity in their candidate lists for elective office.