Democratic processes and institutions remain partial and flawed if the causes and effects of inequalities, exclusion or marginalisation of different segments of the populations are not addressed.
International IDEA is committed to tackling gender inequalities, marginalization and exclusion challenges that hinder gender equality and inclusion as prerequisites for protecting and rebuilding democracy and the fulfillment of the leave no one behind agenda. Through an intersectional eco-system approach on Access=Participation&Representation=Transformative (APRT) the work prioritises:
- Producing global comparative knowledge resources/tools on tackling gender inequalities, marginalization and exclusion- Innovative resources to tackle the threats to gender equality, inclusion and democracy;
- Providing substantive technical advisory support to state and non-state stakeholders/partners at national, regional and global levels to strengthen legal and normative frameworks (both informal and formal) - Gender equality and inclusion as prerequisites for protecting and rebuilding democracy;
- Convening global, regional and national forums/platforms, networks to inspire the global agenda on institutionalizing gender equality and inclusion in democracy building across the world- Making democracy deliver.
Under its gender and inclusion pillar, International IDEA is developing a broad portfolio of initiatives, projects, and platforms, such as those listed below.
Despite progress, women’s political participation remains constrained by entrenched power inequalities that sustain discriminatory systems and violence. Women hold only 26.7 per cent of national legislative seats globally, with parity still decades away. In response, the European Union launched the WYDE | Women's Leadership Initiative in 2023 to strengthen the rights, empowerment and participation of women and youth.
Implemented by UN Women, International IDEA, IPU and UCLG, the initiative focuses on social norms change, skills building, networking and global advocacy to advance inclusive and effective women’s leadership, aligned with SDG 5 and EU gender and youth action plans.
Established in 2007, iKNOW Politics is a joint project of International IDEA, the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women). Since March 2024, iKNOW Politics is funded by the European Union under the WYDE | Women’s Leadership initiative.
Young women’s political participation and representation are essential for the resilience and sustainability of democracy. Yet, despite their critical role, global levels of young women in political and leadership positions remain alarmingly low.
As an online resource to gather information and strengthen the presence of young women in politics, WYDE and iKNOW Politics, with funding from the European Union, have developed the Young Women’s Empowerment Portal. This digital platform features global data on young women’s political participation, inspiring stories of young women’s journeys in politics, online courses, events, and many other resources that unpack complex ideas and help drive inclusive political change.
International IDEA’s Global Democracy campaign in 2025: "Democracy for all"
In 2025, International IDEA’s global advocacy campaign theme was “Democracy for All”, and it promoted the political representation and democratic rights of historically excluded groups.
The campaign focused on the institute’s initiatives with women, LGBTQ+ people, youth, ethnicity and Indigenous Peoples, migrants, displaced persons, and persons with disabilities, especially in the Global South, leveraging our experience both in grassroots communities as well as expertise in research and data analytics.
Click on the different labels and dots to learn about the Inclusion Portal and
International IDEA's work in the areas noted below.
