Where would the world be with more women leaders?
As the topic suggests, this session will address how decision making can impact differently under women’s leadership on key issues. The root of the global crisis will be highlighted while discussing the path followed by women leaders: is it cost cutting or is it an investment? Women leaders from the political, business and social fields share their thoughts and success stories on the topic and how their strategies make a difference. Could there be ‘Lehman Sisters’?

Expanding the role of women in society is essential to build strong economies
• Discuss promoting women entrepreneurship.
• Identify the right business sector to start with.
• Discover support of family and society.
• Learn about your financing options.
• Get statistics from the industry and registrations.
• Encourage and promote competitiveness.
• Discover the difference between working for public or private sectors.

Moving up ladder to top management
• Address the ways in which organisations can enhance women leadership.
• Experts share their perspectives on policies and approaches that encourage increase retention, strengthen job satisfaction, promote competitiveness and brace work-life balance.
• Discover which types of organisations are hiring more women in senior positions.

To find further details please visit Women in Leadership Forum India.

iKNOW Politics was born of a commitment to enhance women’s contribution to politics and to increase their participation in political life by offering access to a wealth of resources and information. The partnership between the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA), the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), the National Democratic Institute (NDI), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) has successfully positioned iKNOW Politics as a key knowledge and information center on women in politics that provides its users access to resources, expertise, dialogue, and knowledge creation on women’s political participation through Discussion Circles, online library, world news, events calendar and quarterly E-Discussions, all continuously updated in four languages – English, French, Spanish and Arabic.

In 2009, iKNOW Politics launched its network in Arabic language to increase reach and provide valuable services to members from the Middle East and North Africa region. The Arabic site launch took place in Amman, Jordan. About 150 women leaders, political candidates, activists and representatives of women’s organizations from the Middle East and North Africa region attended the two-day launch event, which focused on the impact of media and information technology on the number and effectiveness of women in politics in the region.

Today, iKNOW Politics has over 7,500 members worldwide from 150 countries, 70 percent of whom are from transitional and developing countries. Within the three years of its existence iKNOW Politics has hosted over 600,000 visitors, with an average of 700 visitors a day. Driven by a high demand and popularity among its users, iKNOW Politics not only enhanced its existing tools and services, but also initiated new features on the site such as, Election Talk and Peer Groups.

iKNOW Politics has also continued providing free of charge expertise and advisory services through Ask the Experts, the unique tool that allows iKNOW Politics members to seek advice and recommendations from internationally-recognized experts with the goal to advance women in politics and public life. iKNOW Politics has responded to close to 50 'Ask the Experts' queries, empowering women leaders and their supporters with critical knowledge and information. At iKNOW Politics we interview women leaders from around the world whose stories are both inspiring and a testament to the significant work women leaders are doing around the world to promote gender equality. Since its inception iKNOW Politics has interviewed 43 such women. Each month we feature one of those woman leaders under “featured interview”.

iKNOW Politics has expanded the tools available on the website for interactive discussions to fulfill its goal of creating a global discussion and networking space for women in politics and their supporters. Since inception iKNOW Politics initiated five global E-Discussions on issues relevant to women’s political participation such as Eliminating Violence Against Women, Gender Quotas As a Mechanism for Promoting Women in Politics, Financing Women in Politics, Working with Men to promote Women in Politics and Women in Local Governments. iKNOW Politics also held its first regional E-Discussion in Arabic on Role of Media and Technology in Increasing the Number and Effectiveness of Women in Politics.

The E-Discussions created knowledge bases reflecting recommendations that emerged from the iKNOW Politics members and experts on strategies to overcome barriers to women’s political participation. These E-Discussions brought together women leaders and candidates, researchers, employees of development organizations, civil society representatives, and other interested groups from over 50 countries and received over 250 comments in English, Spanish, French and Arabic, allowing iKNOW Politics to create a truly global depository of knowledge and information on issues faced by women in politics and public life.

iKNOW Politics plans to continue its work in advancing women in politics and to make the network even more accessible to women across the world. Drawing on its successful experience in the Latin America and the Caribbean region, the network expanded its regional presence in Asia-Pacific, the Middle East and North Africa, and Sub-Saharan Africa. This has enabled iKNOW Politics to provide its services to regional and grassroots organizations, and to reach out to women with limited access to technology.

iKNOW Politics would like to thank its partners and donors for their generous support over the past two years, especially the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Norway, the United Nations Democracy Endowment Fund (UNDEF) and Irish Aid. iKNOW Politics is also grateful to its members and experts worldwide for their active participation in the network’s activities and their contribution to increasing women’s political participation worldwide.

Please click on the Add New Comment link to leave your wishes for the iKNOW Politics’ third anniversary and feedback on its work. We are always happy to hear from our members!

To read the complete news piece please visit IPS News.

Sudan elects on national level a head of state - the president - and a legislature. The president is elected for a five year term by the people. Elections for the unicameral, 3SDG.gif60-member National Assembly were last held in December 2000. To read further on the politics in Sudan please visit ACE Electoral Knowledge Network.

The first round of Presidential elections will take place on April 11, 2010. The Sudan National Election Commission released the following manuals to assist citizens understand the voting process:
- Polling and Counting Guide
- An Election Reporting Handbook
- Civic and Voter Education Guidebook.

We invite individuals and other organizations from Sudan working in the area of promoting women in politics to share their views, agenda for the political parties and campaigns on iKNOW Politics.