Women in Parliament in 2011 The Year in Perspective

2011 has been hailed as a year of democratic transformation: a year in which calls for stronger democratic institutions were made loud and clear, and in which women played a vital part. Women not only entered parliaments in increasing numbers, but stronger efforts were made to ensure that they took their rightful place within these democratic institutions. Also in 2011, a new country was born – South Sudan – and its transitional constituent assembly was comprised of 26.5% of women; a healthy start for this newcomer to democracy.