Skip to main content

Elections

The right to vote and the right to stand for election are two fundamental elements of democracy. Notably, many countries did not afford women the right to vote until the 20th Century. Even today, universal suffrage is not a given right in all countries, and women often face obstacles that undermine their participation in political and electoral processes. There are various ways to support women in overcoming these obstacles. Such methods include revising the electoral system used, applying affirmative action mechanisms such as quotas, improving voter education for women and training political candidates. These are a few of the modes available to strengthen women’s political participation .Photo©Jens Franssen

Harassment of female candidates a growing issue in Japanese politics

Back
July 7, 2022

Harassment of female candidates a growing issue in Japanese politics

In 2019, Aiko Usui was 28 years old and running for a seat in a ward assembly election in Tokyo. But instead of being treated as an aspiring politician by some of the voters she was canvassing, she instead felt like a pop idol being targeted for abuse.

Print article

In 2019, Aiko Usui was 28 years old and running for a seat in a ward assembly election in Tokyo. But instead of being treated as an aspiring politician by some of the voters she was canvassing, she instead felt like a pop idol being targeted for abuse.

World News

Record women, LGBTQ election hopefuls run to shake up Japan politics

Submitted by Editor on
Back

Record women, LGBTQ election hopefuls run to shake up Japan politics

Source:

TOKYO - A record number of both women and LGBTQ candidates are campaigning to win over voters in the House of Councillors election on Sunday and potentially bring change to Japan's male-dominated political landscape.

While some advocates have hailed the unprecedented number of female and openly LGBTQ hopefuls, the candidates' policies will be put to the test as surveys have shown that issues such as rising prices and social security will likely be at the forefront of voter concerns.

Print article

TOKYO - A record number of both women and LGBTQ candidates are campaigning to win over voters in the House of Councillors election on Sunday and potentially bring change to Japan's male-dominated political landscape.

While some advocates have hailed the unprecedented number of female and openly LGBTQ hopefuls, the candidates' policies will be put to the test as surveys have shown that issues such as rising prices and social security will likely be at the forefront of voter concerns.

Japan still far from breaking free of male-dominated politics

Back
July 7, 2022

Japan still far from breaking free of male-dominated politics

It's been four years since the gender parity law was passed in Japan, with an aim of fielding an equal number of female and male candidates in elections. Still, the male-dominated political environment has not changed.

Print article

It's been four years since the gender parity law was passed in Japan, with an aim of fielding an equal number of female and male candidates in elections. Still, the male-dominated political environment has not changed.

“We copy it from them”: How campus politics sets scene for big man politics in Nigeria

Back
July 6, 2022

“We copy it from them”: How campus politics sets scene for big man politics in Nigeria

Nigeria has one of the lowest rates of female political representation in the world. This culture is established and reinforced early.

Print article

Nigeria has one of the lowest rates of female political representation in the world. This culture is established and reinforced early.

I’m not sexist, other voters are

Back
July 6, 2022

I’m not sexist, other voters are

During the 2020 caucus cycle, I heard it a lot, the refrain of the cautious Democratic voter. I want to vote for her, but I don’t think she can win. It wasn’t, people reasoned, because they were sexist, but they worried that America was.

Print article

During the 2020 caucus cycle, I heard it a lot, the refrain of the cautious Democratic voter. I want to vote for her, but I don’t think she can win. It wasn’t, people reasoned, because they were sexist, but they worried that America was.

After year of historic political gains, Black women continue push toward governorships

Back
July 5, 2022

After year of historic political gains, Black women continue push toward governorships

(CNN)In 2018, Stacey Abrams came within 1.4 percentage points of clinching the governor's mansion in Georgia. Her stinging loss to Republican Brian Kemp is still on the hearts of many of her most fervent supporters some four years later.

Print article

(CNN)In 2018, Stacey Abrams came within 1.4 percentage points of clinching the governor's mansion in Georgia. Her stinging loss to Republican Brian Kemp is still on the hearts of many of her most fervent supporters some four years later.

World News

Women battle for seats in PNG parliament

Submitted by Editor on
Back

Women battle for seats in PNG parliament

Source:

Port Moresby (AFP) – Women are fighting to get at least one seat in Papua New Guinea's male-dominated parliament when voting opens Monday in a mountainous, forest-clad land scarred by gender-based violence.

Prime Minister James Marape is fending off a challenge from his predecessor Peter O'Neill to lead this resource-rich but poverty-struck Pacific Island for the next five years.

Whoever wins, the new leader will need to cobble together a coalition government, say analysts.

Print article

Port Moresby (AFP) – Women are fighting to get at least one seat in Papua New Guinea's male-dominated parliament when voting opens Monday in a mountainous, forest-clad land scarred by gender-based violence.

Prime Minister James Marape is fending off a challenge from his predecessor Peter O'Neill to lead this resource-rich but poverty-struck Pacific Island for the next five years.

Whoever wins, the new leader will need to cobble together a coalition government, say analysts.

World News

Jersey election 2022: Number of females elected rises from 14 to 21

Submitted by Editor on
Back

Jersey election 2022: Number of females elected rises from 14 to 21

Source:

The 2022 election has seen more women elected to Jersey's government than ever before.

A total of 51% of the newly-elected deputies are women, and women now make up 43% of the overall government.

Carina Alves, Inna Gardiner, Carolyn Labey, Helen Miles and Kristina Moore topped their constituency polls.

Print article

The 2022 election has seen more women elected to Jersey's government than ever before.

A total of 51% of the newly-elected deputies are women, and women now make up 43% of the overall government.

Carina Alves, Inna Gardiner, Carolyn Labey, Helen Miles and Kristina Moore topped their constituency polls.

World News

Intergeneration Dialogue on Generation Equality and Women’s Leadership in Malawi: “This is Malawi, a land of women, who lead, and men, who celebrate them”

Submitted by Editor on
Back

Intergeneration Dialogue on Generation Equality and Women’s Leadership in Malawi: “This is Malawi, a land of women, who lead, and men, who celebrate them”

Source:

In 2021, the world’s political leaders, youth activists, corporate executives, development agencies, gathered in Paris for the Generation Equality Forum to lay the foundation for a new agenda to address gender equality. Following the Forum, as a co-leader of the Action Coalition on Feminist Movements and Leadership, Malawi made commitments to promote feminist movements building and women’s leadership at all levels.

Print article

In 2021, the world’s political leaders, youth activists, corporate executives, development agencies, gathered in Paris for the Generation Equality Forum to lay the foundation for a new agenda to address gender equality. Following the Forum, as a co-leader of the Action Coalition on Feminist Movements and Leadership, Malawi made commitments to promote feminist movements building and women’s leadership at all levels.

Subscribe to Elections