Where women hold power -- it may surprise you

This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.

In Egypt, Jeffrey Fleishman profiles Bothaina Kamel, the only female candidate for president in a country where the feminist agenda has been stalled. ‘I want to create culture shock,’ she says.

A woman in power is rare in Egypt: Less than 1% of assembly members are women.The Egyptian military abolished a quota system that had ensured more women were represented.

Although Egypt is among the most glaring examples, women still remain underrepresented in most countries, including more developed nations such as Brazil and even wealthy nations such as the United States.

Meanwhile, women actually make up more than half of the legislature in Rwanda and the tiny nation of Andorra. Close behind are Sweden and South Africa, where women hold roughly 45% of the seats.

Scan the map above to see what percentage of national parliamentary seats are held by women in countries across the world, according to the most recent available World Bank data. You can also view the numbers in a table.

RELATED:

Kuwait: In a first, four women elected to parliament

After revolution in Egypt, women’s taste of equality fades

Egypt: Women breaking culture barriers in upcoming parliamentary elections

-- Emily Alpert in Los Angeles