16
Cities are the level of government closest to people. Their actions and services have direct consequences on everyday lives. Women, men, and non-binary people of different ethnic groups, socio-economic backgrounds, abilities and sexualities all bring valuable real-life experiences to local politics. When the city s decision-making bodies are fully representative, all of these voices, interests and experiences can be included in deciding the future of the city and in reducing and preventing inequalities. Research undertaken in 2021 by the European Commission s Regional and Urban Policy Directorate (DG REGIO)4 shows that a more equal share of women in power is linked to better government, and female achievement boosts Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Additionally, representation creates a ripple effect: women and minority groups are more likely to become politically active, vote in elections and raise their voices when they feel represented. The equal representation of all genders at all levels of local governance is therefore both a democratic imperative and a direct pathway to better urban policy and more engaged communities.
4 European Commission; NÓRLEN, H.; PAPADIMITRIOU, E.; DOMINICIS, L.; DIJKSTRA, L. (2021), Mapping the glass ceiling: The EU regions where women thrive and where they are holdback , available at: https://ec.europa. eu/regional_policy/en/information/maps/gender-equality-monitor
Source: Women in Politics - Local and European Trends
In Europe,
29% of local councillors are women
29% of national parliament representatives are women
31% of regional elected officials are women
40% of elected members of the European Parliament
are women
15% of mayors are women
Only 8 of 41 European capitals are led by women mayors
M AYO
R
85%
15%
M AYO
R
M AYO
R
107 years to close the gender gap.2129
202 2
*based on an in-depth analysis of women s representation in 41 European countries
