Women's minimal leadership role in national and local political spheres remains a serious concern worldwide. The Commonwealth Gender Plan of Action for Gender Equality 2005-2015 calls on governments to introduce measures to promote at least 30 per cent representation of women in parliament, government and business. The Impact of Women's Political Leadership on Democracy and Development describes the barriers to women's political participation and explains why the contribution of women is so crucial to democracy. It identifies established strategies - electoral reform (New Zealand), party...