At the Athens Democracy Forum, RepresentWomen founder and Executive Director Cynthia Richie Terrell brought together three leading voices for a breakfast briefing on one of democracy's most urgent challenges: the persistent underrepresentation of women in political leadership, and what it will take to change it.
Joining Cynthia were Alison Duncan, Australian Ambassador to Greece, Bulgaria, and Romania; Jennifer M. Piscopo, Professor of Gender and Politics at Royal Holloway, University of London; and Susannah Wellford, Founder and CEO of Running Start. Together, they drew on research and real-world experience from across the globe to make the case that gender-balanced governance isn't just good for women — it's good for democracy itself.
The panel examined the concrete evidence linking women's leadership to higher public trust, more responsive policymaking, and stronger democratic institutions. They also took a hard look at the structural barriers that continue to stall progress, and the reforms proven to break through them. From proportional representation and gender quotas in Mexico and Iceland to ranked choice voting in Australia and the United States, the conversation highlighted what works when countries move beyond good intentions and redesign the rules.
The discussion also addressed the critical role of candidate pipelines — from student government and campaign roles to mentorship programs and civic leadership training — in building durable pathways for women to enter and advance in political life. But as the panel made clear, pipeline investment alone isn't enough. Fair legislative pay, caregiving policies, and proxy voting options are equally essential to ensuring women can not only run and win, but serve and lead effectively once in office.
