Historic! New Zealand now has more women than men in Parliament - joins these 5 countries with over 50% female representation

New Zealand Parliament: For the first time in New Zealand's history, a majority of lawmakers are women. Soraya Peke-Mason from the liberal Labour Party was sworn into Parliament on Tuesday, replacing former Speaker Trevor Mallard, who left to become New Zealand's Ambassador to Ireland. 

With the resignation of another male lawmaker, it has tipped the balance in Parliament to 60 women and 59 men.

"Whilst it's a special day for me, I think it's historic for New Zealand," Peke-Mason told reporters.

The milestone places New Zealand among a half-dozen nations in the world that this year can claim at least 50% female representation in their parliaments, according to the Inter-Parliamentary Union. Other nations with over 50% female representation are — Cuba, Mexico, Nicaragua, Rwanda and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Globally, about 26% of lawmakers are women, according to the union.

History of women's representation in New Zealand

New Zealand has a history of strong female representation. In 1893, it became the first nation to allow women to vote. Current Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern is the nation's third female leader, and women currently also hold a number of other top roles including chief justice of New Zealand's Supreme Court and governor-general.

"I'm just really pleased that my daughters are growing up in a country where women being equally represented in public life is just normal," said Nicola Willis, the deputy leader of the conservative National Party.

Women's representation in Rajya Sabha 

At the same time, according to the data given in the Rajya Sabha, the number of Rajya Sabha women Members of Parliament has now reached 33, that is, the total number of women MPs has now increased to 114. After independence, only the 15th and 16th Lok Sabha saw an increase in the representation of women, which was less than 9% earlier.  

Women's representation in Rwanda and other countries

According to the report of Inter-Parliamentary Union data, the participation of women in Rwanda's parliament (lower house) is about 61.3 per cent. Rwanda's coming to the first position in this list is also commendable because the victims of the 1994 Rwandan genocide were all women and children.  

About 20% of the country's population was wiped out in this massacre. Cuba is second in terms of giving women excellent representation in parliament. Here 53.4% of women are in the lower house. Nicaragua is at the number three spot with 50.6% female MPs, Mexico at fourth with 50% female MPs and UAE at fifth with 50% female MPs.