Pakistan, April 26 -- A seminar organized at Afghan Studies Center informed that women around the world are still principally absent from national and local decision-making bodies. They struggle to have a meaningful role in the economic domain, and face exclusion from political processes.

Despite representing half of the global population, women comprise less than 20 percent of the world's legislators. From discrimination and violence to a lack of support and resources, women face countless challenges to participation in the civic and political life of their countries.

Strengthening women's rights and addressing barriers to political participation are critical to achieving gender equality and female empowerment, according to Ms. Natasha...