Building Women's Political Power
Women’s representation doesn’t happen by chance — it happens by design.
At RepresentWomen, we believe democracy works best when everyone has a seat at the table. Through data, electoral systems design, and collaboration, we’re rewriting the rules to make that vision a reality.
How We Create Change
RepresentWomen has spent more than a decade building the research base that connects electoral reform to women's representation. Our work shows that structural and systems-level changes are the most reliable path to gender-balanced government.
We create change through three interconnected strategies: rigorous research that makes the case, convening and equipping the advocates and policymakers who can act on it, and ensuring the gender lens is central — not an afterthought — when policies are being written and passed. The result: more women running, winning, serving, and leading at every level of government. And we have the track record to prove it.
Designing the Blueprint for a Stronger Democracy
We've spent over a decade building tools you won't find anywhere else. From data-driven research to nationwide collaboration, our programs form the foundation for lasting systems change, empowering women to run, win, serve, and lead at every level of government.
Gender Parity Index
Our flagship research tool measuring women’s representation in all 50 states — tracking progress, parity, and policy impact.
Women’s Power Collaborative
A national network uniting 150+ organizations to align strategy and build a stronger women’s representation movement.
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RepresentWomen's Democracy Solutions Summit
The Democracy Solutions Summit is an annual virtual convening of women experts from around the world to uplift the viable, scalable, and transformative solutions for a stronger, more representative democracy.
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Women Experts In Democracy Directory
A growing global network connecting women leaders and amplifying their expertise in media, research, and reform — spanning advocates, academics, elected officials and organizers worldwide.
Why Women’s Power Matters
Women make up more than half the U.S. population, yet men still hold the majority of elected and appointed positions in government. Women face structural barriers — not just on the campaign trail, but within the systems that shape who runs, wins, serves, and leads.
Political insiders and outdated rules often determine who gets recruited and who receives support. Winner-take-all voting, gerrymandered districts, and legislative norms built for another era continue to limit women’s representation.
RepresentWomen is changing that. Through rigorous research, strategic partnerships, and proven electoral reforms, we're redesigning the rules of the game so that women's leadership becomes an intentional outcome rather than a rare exception.
What's Needed: A Democracy Where Women Run, Win, Serve, and Lead
The barriers keeping women from leadership aren't personal; they're structural. RepresentWomen's research pinpoints exactly where those barriers live, and what it takes to remove them.
From electoral systems to legislative structures, the rules that shape our democracy also shape who holds power within it. When those systems are modernized — through reforms like ranked choice voting, proportional representation, and legislative pay equity — more women can run, win, serve, and lead effectively.
We call this systems-level approach Women’s Power by Design: creating the conditions where representation is not an accident, but an intentional outcome.
Women RUN
The rules shape who runs. We’re pushing for gender-balanced funding and party recruitment targets to build a political pipeline that reflects the communities candidates serve.
Women WIN
Our winner-take-all elections create structural barriers for women candidates. Ranked choice voting for executive and legislative offices gives more women a real path to winning.
Women SERVE
Women who make it to office shouldn’t have to choose between leadership and their lives. We advocate for modern workplace rules and policies so women can serve without impossible tradeoffs.
Women LEAD
Through data, coalitions, and the Women’s Power Collaborative, we’re building a pipeline of women leaders shaping reform from the inside out.
News & Stories
RepresentWomen's research and programs are shaping the national conversation on democracy, representation, and women's political power.
Explore our latest media features, op-eds, and movement stories highlighting how systems reforms are helping women run, win, serve, and lead.
