RepresentWomen's Vision
A thriving democracy is within our reach, but new strategies are needed to level the playing field for women candidates across the racial, ideological, and geographic spectrum so that our nation's rich diversity is reflected in our elected bodies.
Electing more women to government will strengthen our democracy by making it more representative, reviving bipartisanship & collaboration, improving policy outcomes, encouraging a new style of leadership, and cultivating trust in our elected bodies.
Join us in turning public passion for gender parity into action and results
The Path to Gender Parity
The U.S. ranks behind 76 nations for women's representation, with women making up about a quarter or less of every level of government. Yet progress is possible. With the momentum of a growing movement pushing us forward, we can win gender parity in our lifetimes - but only with new strategies that target the structural causes of women’s underrepresentation.
Women Leading
Fairer Legislative Practices
Women Winning
Electoral Reform
Women Running
Recruitment Targets
Where Does Your State Rank?
Find out where your state ranks in the Gender Parity Index – the baseline to show progress toward parity in the states.
RepresentWomen Blog
Weekend Reading on Women's Representation January 4, 2019
Posted on January 04, 2019
My daughter and I spent most of the day on the Hill yesterday racing between the offices of new and returning members of Congress, dodging hoards of well-wishers, and find many familiar faces among the crowds - it was an amazing experience. The Washington Post captures the spirit of the day in this piece: To the left of the dais — the Democratic side — the typical sea of men’s suit jackets was balanced by pops of green, blue and white worn by women. Bald heads alternated with bobbed haircuts. Scanning the rows, the record number of women and lawmakers of Hispanic, Asian and African American heritage who will serve this term was clear.
Read MoreWeekend Reading on Women's Representation December 28, 2018
Posted on December 28, 2018
It has been quite a year. It has been quite a year of challenges to democratic processes in the United States. It has been quite a year for women candidates and the individuals and organizations who have supported them. And it has been quite a year for women around the globe who are getting elected at higher rates than women in the US because rules & systems are in place in those nations that create more opportunities for women to run, win, serve, and lead. RepresentWomen's new report on international women's representation examines the recruitment rules and voting systems that are electing more women to office in the 76 nations that rank above the United States in women's representation. Our research confirms that intentional actions that reform institutions & systems are driving women's electoral success around the world. RepresentWomen will continue to work for systems strategies that include: recruitment targets for political parties, donation targets for PACs & donors, ranked choice voting systems, modernized legislative norms, and updated leadership selection norms in order to make enduring progress toward gender parity in 2019 and beyond.
Read MoreWeekend Reading on Women's Representation December 21, 2018
Posted on December 21, 2018
Nevada became the first state to have a majority female state legislature after Beatrice Duran was appointed to fill a vacant position according to this story in The New York Times: As a single mother, Beatrice Duran never imagined that she would get involved in politics. When she moved to Las Vegas in 1985, her focus was on keeping “a solid job” as a food server to provide for her young daughter and, later, her son. Opportunities to become involved in public life felt out of reach. Now, her appointment on Tuesday to the Nevada State Assembly, along with that of another woman, will make female lawmakers the majority in the state capital — the first time that has happened in the nation’s history. Ms. Duran and Rochelle Thuy Nguyen, both Democrats, were selected by the Clark County Board of County Commissioners to fill recently vacated seats.
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Pledge for Parity
At the current rate of change, it will take centuries to achieve gender parity for women in elective office - we can't wait that long for an equal voice in government.
Sign RepresentWomen's Pledge for Parity to show your commitment to winning parity!