PM Julia Gillard's ministry re-shuffle will see a record number of women in cabinet for Australia, but when it comes to women in government, how does Australia compare with the rest of the world?
TOP 10 COUNTRIES
Percentage of women who currently hold seats in parliament:
1. Rwanda – 56 per cent
2. Andorra – 54 per cent
3. Sweden – 45 per cent
4. South Africa* – 44 per cent
5. Seychelles, Cuba, Iceland - 43 per cent
8. Finland – 42 per cent
9. Norway, Belgium – 40 per cent
* South Africa: The figures on the distribution of seats do not include the 36 special rotating delegates appointed on an ad hoc basis. All percentages are calculated on the basis of the 54 permanent seats.
Of Australia's 76 senators in the current parliament, 27 are women, yielding 35 per cent. Australia is ranked 38th on the list above.
[Data has been sourced from: Inter-Parliamentary Union, UN Women, Southern Africa Gender Protocol Alliance. Data cross-checked with relevant government websites or agencies]
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