Women in Parliament – how does the European Parliament compare?

Ahead of International Women's Day on the 8 March 2008, this feature looked at the balance between the sexes in the European Parliament and at other legislatures around Europe. At present 31% of the 785 MEPs are female - up from 19% in 1979 when the first direct elections were held. Top of the list in terms of parity are the Netherlands and Estonia who both have 50%, while Malta and Cyprus have only male representatives.