Six per cent.
In 2024, only six per cent of the 193 United Nations member states were led by women. Just 60 countries have ever had a female head of government, with Canada having had only one in its history, and the United States still waiting for its first.
At the current pace, the UN estimates that it will take more than 130 years to reach gender parity within our global leadership.
As we enter 2025, achieving political equality is a goal that demands our government’s immediate focus and commitment.
Women’s leadership is vital for building equitable, inclusive societies, yet bias and institutional obstacles continue to silence their voices. Figures like former U.S. presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Kamala Harris exemplify both the progress made and the enduring barriers that women in politics face. Clinton’s historic 2016 presidential campaign—while groundbreaking—was overshadowed by persistent gender bias, with questions about her ability to lead as a woman taking center stage. Harris, the first female American vice president, faced similar scrutiny in her recent run for high office, compounded by the intersection of race and gender, which amplifies the challenges for women of colour in leadership.
Canada’s political climate faces similar issues: a 2019 report by the House Status of Women Committee outlined the ongoing harassment, discrimination, lack of family-friendly workplaces, and difficulties financing campaigns that occur for women pursuing political positions.
Amid today’s challenges, figures like Ellen Johnson Sirleaf shine as a powerful reminder of what is possible. On Dec. 11, 2024, the Senate erupted in applause as Senators stood to give Johnson Sirleaf a standing ovation in the Chamber. Known as Africa’s “Iron Lady,” Johnson Sirleaf was Africa’s first democratically-elected female head of state. She served two terms as Liberia’s 24th president, and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2011 for her tireless work on women’s rights. Today, she remains a global symbol of female empowerment, continuing her advocacy through her role with the Council of Women World Leaders, and the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Presidential Center for Women and Development. Her visit to the Canadian Senate, where she met with the African Canadian Senators Group to discuss strategies for empowering women, was a celebration of progress—and a call to continue the work ahead.
Empowering women in politics must be a priority, as gender disparities persist in electoral representation. Parties themselves should seek gender parity, as this is a critical step toward fostering an inclusive democracy.
Reinforcing Gender-Based Analysis Plus in all federal programs, initiatives, and strategies is essential. By integrating gender considerations into policy making, we can identify and dismantle systemic barriers that hinder women’s political participation. This effort should be supported by robust data collection on the challenges faced by minority women and women from diverse backgrounds in electoral politics. Making this data publicly available will promote transparency and accountability while guiding policy interventions that address systemic inequalities.
The federal government should support formal mentorship and networking opportunities for female entrepreneurship and professional development. By collaborating with organizations such as Equal Voice, the Canadian Women’s Foundation, and the Canadian Research Institute for the Advancement of Women we can take significant strides toward closing the gender gap in politics, ensuring that all voices are heard and represented at every level of governance.
As the 44th Parliament comes to a close, the next must prioritize building a more just and equitable society—one that fully embraces the experience and contributions of women. By empowering women today, we lay the groundwork for a society that flourishes tomorrow.
Sirleaf’s words—“If your dreams do not scare you, they are not big enough”—serve as a call to action: to dream boldly, advocate fearlessly, and work tirelessly for a world where every woman can lead, be heard, and shape the future. Our collective progress depends on the power we give to women today—because when women thrive, society thrives.
Ontario Senator Rosemary Moodie is a member of the Independent Senators Group.
Dr. Shalaka Dixit is a second-year pediatrics resident at the University of British Columbia. She is passionate about working with minority and vulnerable populations, striving to create meaningful opportunities for these communities to access quality health care.
Dr. Stephanie Hosang is a senior paediatrics resident at Western University in London, Ont. She is a strong advocate for children’s health and is interested in using public policy to better the lives of her patients.
The Hill Times