Rationale - what it means and why it is an important measure
More women in politics and decision-making positions can help to redefine political priorities, place new items on the political agenda, and provide new perspectives on mainstream political issues.
How it is compiled, what data are needed
The number of women in management positions in local government jobs (including elected officials); the number of local government employees that are women/1000 persons.
Measurements and units
Women in management positions (Number per 1000 employees)
Possible temporal and spatial format
trend charts, graphs, pies
Reference to methodology resources
ICLEI, 1998. www.iclei.org/cities21/c21ind.htm
Objective
Public Pparticipation in decision-making characterized by open, interactive engagement of all groups in planning, policy, investment and resource allocation decisions.
Targets, benchmarks, reference values
Progress towards gender equality and the empowerment of women should be demonstrated by eliminating gender disparity in primary and secondary education by 2005 (UN conferences in Cairo, Beijing, Copenhagen).
References to examples of application
Other comments / background
Representation of women is particularly important in improving health status, since women have key roles in all societies with respect to basic living conditions. Yet women remain largely underrepresented at most levels of government, especially in ministerial and other executive bodies.
