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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

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Police training rolled out across Kenya ahead of elections

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Police training rolled out across Kenya ahead of elections

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A nationwide rollout of training on sexual and gender-based violence has recently concluded across Kenya to better equip law enforcement officials prevent and mitigate sexual violence during the country’s 2022 General Election.

A joint project from UN Women and OHCHR Kenya entitled has trained 141 police commanders on election security management. This four-day training specifically highlighted electoral-related sexual and gender-based violence and their specific role when dealing with these cases.

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A nationwide rollout of training on sexual and gender-based violence has recently concluded across Kenya to better equip law enforcement officials prevent and mitigate sexual violence during the country’s 2022 General Election.

A joint project from UN Women and OHCHR Kenya entitled has trained 141 police commanders on election security management. This four-day training specifically highlighted electoral-related sexual and gender-based violence and their specific role when dealing with these cases.

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Ahead of Kenya elections, female politicians face abuse, attacks

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Ahead of Kenya elections, female politicians face abuse, attacks

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Dozens of female candidates have been physically assaulted while campaigning ahead of the August 9 elections in Kenya.

Liz Njue, a Kenyan psychologist who wanted to stand for a county assembly seat, had just arrived to vote in her party primary when opponents attacked her, pulling her hair and tearing her blouse. She fled without casting her ballot and lost the race.

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Dozens of female candidates have been physically assaulted while campaigning ahead of the August 9 elections in Kenya.

Liz Njue, a Kenyan psychologist who wanted to stand for a county assembly seat, had just arrived to vote in her party primary when opponents attacked her, pulling her hair and tearing her blouse. She fled without casting her ballot and lost the race.

A quantitative study of the questions asked by women members in Lok Sabha (1999–2019): Performance of women in Parliament

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August 3, 2022

A quantitative study of the questions asked by women members in Lok Sabha (1999–2019): Performance of women in Parliament

The performance of women legislators is analysed by looking at the nature of questions posed by them over a span of 20 years (1999–2019) in the lower house of the Indian Parliament.

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The performance of women legislators is analysed by looking at the nature of questions posed by them over a span of 20 years (1999–2019) in the lower house of the Indian Parliament.

Stereotypes, violence keep women out of politics in Zimbabwe

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August 2, 2022

Stereotypes, violence keep women out of politics in Zimbabwe

In Zimbabwe, a deeply conservative country, fewer women have participated as candidates in elections since independence in 1980, compared to men.

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In Zimbabwe, a deeply conservative country, fewer women have participated as candidates in elections since independence in 1980, compared to men.

‘Enough is enough’: the fight to elect women to Papua New Guinea’s men-only parliament

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August 2, 2022

‘Enough is enough’: the fight to elect women to Papua New Guinea’s men-only parliament

In nearly 50 years, PNG has elected just seven female MPs. Money, culture and corruption are all working against the women trying to address the problem.

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In nearly 50 years, PNG has elected just seven female MPs. Money, culture and corruption are all working against the women trying to address the problem.

Kenya Election 2022: The struggle of women aspirants in marginalised communities

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August 1, 2022

Kenya Election 2022: The struggle of women aspirants in marginalised communities

Three Kenyan women from marginalised communities share their experiences running for political office in the forthcoming general election and describe how they are determined to overcome their challenges.

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Three Kenyan women from marginalised communities share their experiences running for political office in the forthcoming general election and describe how they are determined to overcome their challenges.

Barriers to women’s political participation in Vanuatu

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July 29, 2022

Barriers to women’s political participation in Vanuatu

The way politics is played in Melanesian countries has very little national inclusivity about it – in terms of participation by and representation of both men and women at the national level.

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The way politics is played in Melanesian countries has very little national inclusivity about it – in terms of participation by and representation of both men and women at the national level.

Why Do Zimbabwean Women Shun Politics?

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July 28, 2022

Why Do Zimbabwean Women Shun Politics?

MUTARE, Zimbabwe (IDN) — Cyberbullying and online sexual harassment are some dilemmas that young women trying to rise in Zimbabwe’s patriarchal and male-dominated political space face.

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MUTARE, Zimbabwe (IDN) — Cyberbullying and online sexual harassment are some dilemmas that young women trying to rise in Zimbabwe’s patriarchal and male-dominated political space face.

Kenya's women in politics still fighting to get their voices heard

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July 28, 2022

Kenya's women in politics still fighting to get their voices heard

As Kenya prepares to vote in a new president next month, we take a closer look at the role of women in the country’s politics. In Uganda, we bring you a report on efforts to respond to a major hunger crisis in the country’s northeast.

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As Kenya prepares to vote in a new president next month, we take a closer look at the role of women in the country’s politics. In Uganda, we bring you a report on efforts to respond to a major hunger crisis in the country’s northeast.

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