Threats towards women deter political involvement - UN

FILE PHOTO-Sima Bahous, Executive Director of UN Women, speaks during the United Nations Security Council meeting on the situation amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine with a focus on women, at the United Nations Headquarters in Manhattan, New York City, New York, U.S., April 11, 2022. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid

(Reuters) - Violence and threats towards women still act as a deterrent to their involvement in politics, the U.N. gender equality organisation said, despite more women holding office.

Data showed that the number of women in political leadership posts, both in government and in parliament, has improved overall, though, some regions such as the Middle East and North Africa lagged far behind.