Advocacy & Lobbying
The persistent underrepresentation of women in The Gambia’s political sphere undermines democratic inclusivity and sustainable development. Women’s perspectives are critical for addressing issues like education, healthcare, and gender-based violence, which disproportionately affect them. This two-day national conference will focus on women’s political participation, providing a timely platform to:
-
Assess progress and gaps since the 2016 democratic transition.
-
Consolidate stakeholder efforts to address systemic barriers.
-
Develop a unified strategy, including policy recommendations and capacity-building initiatives.
-
Inspire a new generation of women leaders to engage in politics.
The Royal Norwegian Embassy andthe Embassy of Switzerland in Bangladesh, in collaboration with UN Women,hosted a high-level dialogue titled "Power Without Fear: Ending Digital and Gender-Based Violence Against Women in Politics" as part of the global 16 Days of Activism against Gender Based Violence (GBV) campaign under the theme "UNiTE to End Digital Violence against All Women and Girls" in Dhaka on December 7, 2025. The event convened political party representatives, young women leaders, civil society, academics, journalists, gender experts, development partners, and diplomats to address the currentthreats women face in political life.
Held at the Norwegian Residence, the dialogue focused on how digital violence has emerged as a modern barrier to democratic participation. As Bangladesh approaches its national elections, women engaged in political activities find themselves increasingly targetsof online harassment, intimidation, gendered misinformation, and coordinated smear campaigns that often extend into real-world harm.
Opening the event, H.E. Håkon Arald Gulbrandsen, Ambassador of Norway, emphasized that digital spaces are now central to political engagement and must be safe for women's participation. As the Ambassador stated, "women's political participation is essential for inclusive democracy, sustainable development, and lasting peace. When women are silenced - whether through digital harassment, character attacks, threats, or physical violence - entire societies lose out. Today,let us explore how we can strengthen legal protections, promote digital safety, hold perpetrators accountable, and empower women to participate in politics without fear."
The Ministry for the Status of Women and Women’s Rights (MCFDF) officially launched, this Friday at the La Cretonne Hotel in Les Cayes, the General Assembly on “women’s political participation and electoral violence,” under the evocative theme: “There is no democracy or elections without women, zero violence.
The Ministry for the Status of Women and Women’s Rights (MCFDF) officially launched, this Friday at the La Cretonne Hotel in Les Cayes, the General Assembly on “women’s political participation and electoral violence,” under the evocative theme: “There is no democracy or elections without women, zero violence.”
A two-day national conference on Women’s Political Participation and Representation opened Monday at Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara (SDKJ) Conference Centre.
The conference is being organized by The International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) and its partners.
The conference aims to assess progress made and identify gaps in women’s political participation since the country’s democratic transition in 2016.
Opening the forum, International IDEA Secretary-General Dr. Kevin Casas-Zamora says nine years after the transition, The Gambia has significant achievements to celebrate, particularly its vibrant civic space and strengthened democratic institutions.
However, he notes that women’s political representation remains critically low.
“Women make up more than half of the population, yet they occupy only 8.6 percent of elected seats in the National Assembly. This is far below the 30 percent benchmark recommended by the Beijing Platform for Action,” Dr. Casas-Zamora said.
Speaking on behalf of the European Union Ambassador, Enya Braun says the theme of the conference highlights a persistent imbalance in decision-making spaces.
“While women are active in society, they are too often absent from formal decision-making structures. This must change,” she said, questioning how a society can claim to be democratic when more than half of its population remains underrepresented.
She reaffirmed the European Union’s commitment to gender equality and inclusivity, stressing that political representation is not a privilege but a fundamental right and a proven asset for democratic governance.
Representing the Speaker of the National Assembly, Hon. Abdoulie Ceesay says The Gambia stands at a critical stage in consolidating its democracy.
He pointed out that women constitute about 57 percent of registered voters and play a central role in political mobilization, yet their presence in executive positions, local councils and the national assembly does not reflect this reality.
“As the People’s House, Parliament must be inclusive. Political parties must dismantle gatekeeping barriers and move beyond using women solely as mobilisers to investing in them as candidates,” he said.
The conference is expected to consolidate stakeholder efforts to address systemic barriers, develop a unified strategy, and produce policy recommendations and capacity-building initiatives aimed at inspiring a new generation of women leaders in Gambian politics.
Stakeholders, women leaders and development partners have called for increased participation of women in leadership and governance
They made the call during the Southern Kaduna Trailblazing Women Association (SOKATWA) Summit and Fundraising, held in Kafanchan, Southern Kaduna.
Chairman of the occasion, Mr. Jerry Adams, emphasized that getting it right with women is key to getting society right, noting that women play a critical role in moulding character at home and within communities.
He commended the organisers for bringing together a high calibre of women at the summit and urged participants not to despise little beginnings but to remain focused and determined.
Earlier, the President of SOKATWA, Mrs. Belinda Augustine Istifanus, described the summit as a defining moment and a mission-driven gathering aimed at repositioning women as central actors in leadership and governance.
YAMBIO – The Speaker of South Sudan’s Western Equatoria State Legislative Assembly, Ann Tunna Richard, has urged women to actively participate in politics ahead of South Sudan’s December 2026 general elections.
She made the call on Sunday, while addressing journalists at Yambio Airstrip upon return from an official trip to Juba.
While in Juba, she attended a national conference on women’s equal participation in governance.
Ann Tunna said women in Western Equatoria State and across the country should take advantage of the political space to engage fully in leadership and decision-making processes.
“We demand the full implementation of the 35 percent affirmative action for women, and any political parties that fail to respect the provision may not be registered to contest in the upcoming elections,” Tunna said.
The Speaker highlighted key challenges facing women in politics, including economic hardship, insecurity, and gender-based violence.
“We call on political parties, government institutions, and communities to provide protection, support, and equal opportunities for women candidates,” she said.
Tunna demanded appointment of more women to strategic ministries such as Finance and Defence, saying women have proven to be effective managers, strong peacebuilders, and critical actors in the fight against corruption.
She commended the SPLM leadership in Western Equatoria State, led by Chairperson Barrister James Al-Taib Jazz Berapal, for appointing women to leadership positions within the party.
In September 2022, I had the opportunity to organize a roundtable at the Annual Meeting of the American Political Science Association (APSA), connected to my 2021 APSA Distinguished Award for Civic and Community Engagement. First conferred in 2020, the award honors “significant civic or community engagement activity by a political scientist which merges knowledge and practice and has an impact outside of the profession or the academy.” In my case, it recognized work I had been doing since 2015 with the National Democratic Institute and other global practitioners to recognize and combat violence against women in politics as a distinct form of violence aimed at preventing and undermining women’s political participation.
Click here to read the full article published by Cambridge University Press on 9 August 2023.
Normal
0
false
false
false
EN-US
X-NONE
X-NONE
DefSemiHidden="false" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="376">
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
Name="index 1"/>
Name="index 2"/>
Name="index 3"/>
Name="index 4"/>
Name="index 5"/>
Name="index 6"/>
Name="index 7"/>
Name="index 8"/>
Name="index 9"/>
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 1"/>
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 2"/>
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 3"/>
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 4"/>
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 5"/>
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 6"/>
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 7"/>
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 8"/>
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 9"/>
Name="Normal Indent"/>
Name="footnote text"/>
Name="annotation text"/>
Name="header"/>
Name="footer"/>
Name="index heading"/>
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
Name="table of figures"/>
Name="envelope address"/>
Name="envelope return"/>
Name="footnote reference"/>
Name="annotation reference"/>
Name="line number"/>
Name="page number"/>
Name="endnote reference"/>
Name="endnote text"/>
Name="table of authorities"/>
Name="macro"/>
Name="toa heading"/>
Name="List"/>
Name="List Bullet"/>
Name="List Number"/>
Name="List 2"/>
Name="List 3"/>
Name="List 4"/>
Name="List 5"/>
Name="List Bullet 2"/>
Name="List Bullet 3"/>
Name="List Bullet 4"/>
Name="List Bullet 5"/>
Name="List Number 2"/>
Name="List Number 3"/>
Name="List Number 4"/>
Name="List Number 5"/>
Name="Closing"/>
Name="Signature"/>
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
Name="Body Text"/>
Name="Body Text Indent"/>
Name="List Continue"/>
Name="List Continue 2"/>
Name="List Continue 3"/>
Name="List Continue 4"/>
Name="List Continue 5"/>
Name="Message Header"/>
Name="Salutation"/>
Name="Date"/>
Name="Body Text First Indent"/>
Name="Body Text First Indent 2"/>
Name="Note Heading"/>
Name="Body Text 2"/>
Name="Body Text 3"/>
Name="Body Text Indent 2"/>
Name="Body Text Indent 3"/>
Name="Block Text"/>
Name="Hyperlink"/>
Name="FollowedHyperlink"/>
Name="Document Map"/>
Name="Plain Text"/>
Name="E-mail Signature"/>
Name="HTML Top of Form"/>
Name="HTML Bottom of Form"/>
Name="Normal (Web)"/>
Name="HTML Acronym"/>
Name="HTML Address"/>
Name="HTML Cite"/>
Name="HTML Code"/>
Name="HTML Definition"/>
Name="HTML Keyboard"/>
Name="HTML Preformatted"/>
Name="HTML Sample"/>
Name="HTML Typewriter"/>
Name="HTML Variable"/>
Name="Normal Table"/>
Name="annotation subject"/>
Name="No List"/>
Name="Outline List 1"/>
Name="Outline List 2"/>
Name="Outline List 3"/>
Name="Table Simple 1"/>
Name="Table Simple 2"/>
Name="Table Simple 3"/>
Name="Table Classic 1"/>
Name="Table Classic 2"/>
Name="Table Classic 3"/>
Name="Table Classic 4"/>
Name="Table Colorful 1"/>
Name="Table Colorful 2"/>
Name="Table Colorful 3"/>
Name="Table Columns 1"/>
Name="Table Columns 2"/>
Name="Table Columns 3"/>
Name="Table Columns 4"/>
Name="Table Columns 5"/>
Name="Table Grid 1"/>
Name="Table Grid 2"/>
Name="Table Grid 3"/>
Name="Table Grid 4"/>
Name="Table Grid 5"/>
Name="Table Grid 6"/>
Name="Table Grid 7"/>
Name="Table Grid 8"/>
Name="Table List 1"/>
Name="Table List 2"/>
Name="Table List 3"/>
Name="Table List 4"/>
Name="Table List 5"/>
Name="Table List 6"/>
Name="Table List 7"/>
Name="Table List 8"/>
Name="Table 3D effects 1"/>
Name="Table 3D effects 2"/>
Name="Table 3D effects 3"/>
Name="Table Contemporary"/>
Name="Table Elegant"/>
Name="Table Professional"/>
Name="Table Subtle 1"/>
Name="Table Subtle 2"/>
Name="Table Web 1"/>
Name="Table Web 2"/>
Name="Table Web 3"/>
Name="Balloon Text"/>
Name="Table Theme"/>
Name="List Paragraph"/>
Name="Intense Quote"/>
Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
Name="Subtle Reference"/>
Name="Intense Reference"/>
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Bibliography"/>
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
Name="Mention"/>
Name="Smart Hyperlink"/>
Name="Hashtag"/>
Name="Unresolved Mention"/>
Name="Smart Link"/>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:8.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
line-height:107%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-font-kerning:1.0pt;
mso-ligatures:standardcontextual;}
Somalia grapples with unique cultural, societal, and structural hurdles that hinder women’s access to political processes. Despite introducing a non-legally binding quota, the most recent federal elections in 2022 saw a decline in women’s parliamentary representation. Beyond this, women’s leadership in public spaces remains inadequate at all levels. Patriarchal norms, gender stereotypes, and cultural barriers hinder women’s full participation in decision-making, with women predominantly perceived as homemakers, with caregiving responsibilities.
Click here to read the full article published by Relief Web on 01 August 2023.
A core component of the three-year regional OECD-MENA Transition Fund project on “Promoting women’s participation in parliaments and policy-making,” is conducting a country-based, peer-reviewed assessment of the existing opportunities and current challenges faced by women candidates. The purpose of this report is to present the findings of this assessment, with a view to identifying targeted policy recommendations that can be implemented to accelerate progress towards gender equality and women’s political empowerment in Jordan. Recommendations are based on findings of the assessment and international good practices.
This report presents both the enabling factors and obstacles in the election of more women to parliament and municipal councils. A second assessment analysed the parliament’s workplace operations, processes, internal procedures and policy-frameworks through a gender lens. The report reviews Jordan’s current legal framework, including adherence to international standards, and assesses the existence and effectiveness of the country’s institutions in promoting women’s political participation. Legal, institutional and social norms that serve as barriers to women’s political participation are highlighted in chapters 1, 2 and 4.
Click here to access the report.
Violence against women politicians is increasingly recognized as an issue that undermines women’s presence in politics. Latin America has been at the vanguard of this global discussion. In 2012, Bolivia became the only country in the world to criminalize “political violence and harassment against women.” Several other countries have similar legislation in the works. What explains the emergence of these bill proposals? This article argues that the creation of these bills is the result of three processes: activism at the local level used international norms to propose an innovative solution to a problem; women politicians and “femocrats” worked within the state apparatus to overcome resistance; and international actors worked to foster connections among activists and politicians across the region. In this process, international norms have been transformed, with important implications for women’s political representation.
Click here to access the article.
Violence against women and girls (VAWG) in digital contexts is not a new phenomenon, however it has rapidly escalated in the shadows of the COVID-19 pandemic as women’s lives shifted online for work, education, access to services, and social activities. While there continue to be significant gaps in data, one global report suggests that prevalence ranges from 16 per cent to 58 per cent.
Online VAWG occurs as part of a continuum that is often connected to offline violence and can encompass many forms including sexual harassment, stalking, zoom bombing, and these continue to multiply in a context of rapidly expanding digitalization. The impact of online VAWG can be as harmful as offline violence with negative effects on the health and wellbeing of women and girls as well as serious economic, social and political impacts.
This paper provides a brief overview of the existing data and evidence on online and technology facilitated VAWG, outlines some of the key developments, gaps, challenges, and emerging promising practices, and makes recommendations to be considered by governments, international organizations, civil society organizations, and the technology sector.
Click here to access the report.