2026-07-14 from unwomen.org/
Women’s equal participation and leadership in political and public life are essential to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. However, data show that women are underrepresented at all levels of decision-making worldwide and that achieving gender parity in political life is far off.
As of 1 January 2026, there are 28 countries where 30 women serve as Heads of State and/or Government. At the current rate, gender equality in the highest positions of power will not be reached for another 130 years.
Just 16 countries have a woman Head of State, and 21 countries have a woman Head of Government.
Data compiled data by UN Women show that women represent 22.4 per cent of Cabinet members heading Ministries, leading a policy area as of 1 January 2026. There are only 14 countries in which women hold 50 per cent or more of the positions of Cabinet Ministers leading policy areas.
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