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Advocacy and Lobbying

Advocacy and lobbying are activities that represent and promote the needs of specific groups in political and social arenas. One such group is women, who can collectively pressure their leaders for legislative reforms to protect and promote women’s rights and concerns. It is the goal of advocacy groups and lobbyists to ensure that both the public and politicians understand and support their cause, so that it gains strength and credibility. Securing rights and gains for women requires coalition-building, funding, civic education, awareness-raising and individuals willing to lead the way.

While the goals of advocacy and lobbying are similar, the processes are distinctly different. Advocacy involves gaining and exercising power to influence a political action. Employing methods such as demonstrations, public campaigns and civic education, advocacy can be the primary mission of international agencies and civil society organizations seeking to influence global and national decision makers. Women worldwide frequently organize themselves for advocacy purposes, drawing on their collective power to affect legislation, official policies and governmental programs. Lobbying, however, refers to influencing the government and its leaders. Lobbyists attempt to sway policy makers and legislators to address specific issues, often by introducing or revising legislation and policy. Lobbying activities may include private meetings with decision makers, public campaigns and demonstrations.

The barriers preventing migrant women engaging in Australian politics

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May 13, 2022

The barriers preventing migrant women engaging in Australian politics

As the federal election date draws nearer, it’s almost impossible for Australians to avoid the policies, promises and paraphernalia of political parties and candidates contesting the election.

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As the federal election date draws nearer, it’s almost impossible for Australians to avoid the policies, promises and paraphernalia of political parties and candidates contesting the election.

World News

Gambia: Women groups express dissatisfaction over number of women elected to parliament

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Gambia: Women groups express dissatisfaction over number of women elected to parliament

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A dozen of women groups have expressed their concerns and dissatisfaction over the number of women that were elected on the 9th April elections as members of the country’s National Assembly.

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Gambia: Women groups express dissatisfaction over number of women elected to parliament - The Point

A dozen of women groups have expressed their concerns and dissatisfaction over the number of women that were elected on the 9th April elections as members of the country’s National Assembly.

Climate justice requires women’s leadership

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April 21, 2022

Climate justice requires women’s leadership

Only a third of leadership positions in climate-change negotiations are held by women, even though women are the most vulnerable to the worst effects of global warming.

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Only a third of leadership positions in climate-change negotiations are held by women, even though women are the most vulnerable to the worst effects of global warming.

World News

Guyana Parliament reaches out to youth

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Guyana Parliament reaches out to youth

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In a good example of parliamentary outreach to young people, the second edition of the Guyana National Youth Debating Competition takes place on Friday, 8 April. Some 16 youth groups will participate in the event with the objective of connecting young people to parliament.

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Guyana Parliament reaches out to youth - IPU

In a good example of parliamentary outreach to young people, the second edition of the Guyana National Youth Debating Competition takes place on Friday, 8 April. Some 16 youth groups will participate in the event with the objective of connecting young people to parliament.

World News

Only eight women stand in all-male Western Isles council elections

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Only eight women stand in all-male Western Isles council elections

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Officials and activists had urged more women to stand after none of the female candidates were elected in 2017.

Equalities campaigners are dismayed that only eight women are standing for election to Comhairle nan Eilean Siar (Western Isles council), despite a campaign to diversify Scotland’s only all-male local authority.

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Officials and activists had urged more women to stand after none of the female candidates were elected in 2017.

Equalities campaigners are dismayed that only eight women are standing for election to Comhairle nan Eilean Siar (Western Isles council), despite a campaign to diversify Scotland’s only all-male local authority.

World News

Sierra Leone: Women demand funding for effective participation in elections

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Sierra Leone: Women demand funding for effective participation in elections

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Women across Sierra Leone have through a communique submitted to the Speaker of Parliament called for the creation of a Women's Fund to enhance effective political participation and to also advance the interests and concerns of women for the development of the country.

Lawyer Yasim Jusu Sheriff presented the communique on behalf of women, who participated in the National Women's Conference held in Freetown on 16th &17th March, 2022.

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Women across Sierra Leone have through a communique submitted to the Speaker of Parliament called for the creation of a Women's Fund to enhance effective political participation and to also advance the interests and concerns of women for the development of the country.

Lawyer Yasim Jusu Sheriff presented the communique on behalf of women, who participated in the National Women's Conference held in Freetown on 16th &17th March, 2022.

World News

Feminist outcry for Nicaragua’s female political prisoners

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Feminist outcry for Nicaragua’s female political prisoners

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Relatives of opposition members imprisoned by the regime addressed the panel, decrying the poor treatment and different types of torture the female prisoners suffer.

Feminists from different countries “shouted out” on March 10th for the 14 women opposition leaders who are currently political prisoners in Nicaragua. Their aim was to pressure for the women to be freed.

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Relatives of opposition members imprisoned by the regime addressed the panel, decrying the poor treatment and different types of torture the female prisoners suffer.

Feminists from different countries “shouted out” on March 10th for the 14 women opposition leaders who are currently political prisoners in Nicaragua. Their aim was to pressure for the women to be freed.

Special seats bill in Nigeria: Balancing representation through constitutional reforms

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April 1, 2022

Special seats bill in Nigeria: Balancing representation through constitutional reforms

Global trends indicate the slow-paced progress in closing gender gaps across major dimensions of human development in different countries.

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Global trends indicate the slow-paced progress in closing gender gaps across major dimensions of human development in different countries.

Nigerian women and politics of gender inequality

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March 24, 2022

Nigerian women and politics of gender inequality

‘When some women try to get involved in politics, they are despised and as such they are at the defensive. Even their co-women would despise them and refuse to support and vote for them…First, women are not as financially buoyant as the men.

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‘When some women try to get involved in politics, they are despised and as such they are at the defensive. Even their co-women would despise them and refuse to support and vote for them…First, women are not as financially buoyant as the men.

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