Advocacy & Lobbying
Ljupka Mihajlovska is a politician and human rights advocate with special focus on women with disabilities. She served in the Serbian Parliament until 2020 and is now a program director of the non-governmental organisation "For accessible environment". Last year, she was one of the participants of the UN Women's training for trainers on women's political participation and leadership.
"Participating in political processes where change is initiated and decisions are made whether at the local, regional or national level is the most powerful platform for change. Representative bodies should reflect the structure of the population. As we are collecting data on the population that is gender disaggregated, we should do something with it to enable everyone exercise equally their human rights. The right to political participation is one of the basic rights and that is a sufficient reason not to deny it to women. Political participation itself does not guarantee power and influence, but it is a basic prerequisite.
On the Serbian political scene, women are generally not competing with their male counterparts. As if there is an A list or the first league which is male and a B or second league which is female. I believe that no man sees a woman as competition, regardless of what qualifications she has, because he is aware that he is always in a better position. On the other hand, a woman with a disability can eventually see another woman as competition, although due to the double discrimination she is facing, she belongs to a third league. A woman with disability is at a disadvantage compared to a man on at least two grounds- as a woman and as a person with disability.
Read here the full interview posted by UN Women on 4 July 2024.
Mrs Abimbola Ojo, a hardworking confidential secretary, has remained stagnated for over 10 years, while others recruited after her, in a federal ministry, are forging ahead, getting juicy positions in the ministry.
Ojo was told to pay some money or engage in an illicit relationship to guarantee that her name was on the promotion list.
She refused. The consequence is that her career has stagnated. She was depressed and eventually resigned without financial compensation.
This is the fate of many women, in public and private sectors of the economy and in political groups.
Available statistics indicate that the national average of women’s political participation in Nigeria has remained 6.7 per cent in elective and appointive positions.
This is below the Global Average of 22.5 per cent, Africa Regional Average of 23.4 per cent and West African Sub Regional Average of 15 per cent.
The 2007 general elections produced the highest number of women in the National Assembly with 34 elected. The second lowest number was recorded in 2011 and repeated in the 2015 elections with 29. The lowest was in 1999 with only 15 women elected.
The 2023 National Assembly elections recorded 14 female members in the lower chamber and three in the upper chamber.
President Bola Tinubu also appointed eight female ministers in his cabinet.
Nigeria is rated as one of the worst countries with poor female representation in parliament worldwide.
The Nigerian government has taken some steps to combat corruption, such as establishing anti-corruption agencies, but progress has been limited.
Many women have been frustrated, abused, and discriminated against because of corrupt and immoral practices in the economic and political spheres.
They are curtailed from attaining leadership positions, even when they are better and have more charisma than their male counterparts.
However, the UN data shows that women are underrepresented, at all levels of decision-making worldwide while achieving gender parity in all sectors, requires the implementation of strategies.
Read here the full article published by the News Agency of Nigeria on 28 June 2024.
Image by News Agency of Nigeria
The Inclusion Portal is an online one-stop repository and hub of global information that solely presents the provisions in national legislative frameworks-constitutions, political party and electoral laws on the inclusion of Women, youth, Ethnicity and Indigenous Peoples, People with Disabilities, and LGBTQIA+ People. Addressing the various factors that reproduce exclusion and hinder the leave no one behind agenda is essential for democratic development. The Portal features country overviews and a comparative global view of the prevalence of the stipulated provisions on political inclusion of the traditionally/historically marginalised people/persons.
The Portal is a resource/tool to inspire policy makers, democracy actors and practitioners, civil society organisations (CSOs) and other non-state actors to address the challenges on inclusion in democracy. Furthermore, the Inclusion Portal will bolster International IDEA’s technical advisory support to strengthen inclusive democracy development processes and institutions.
The information presented is an outcome of International IDEA’s review of several legislations and the continued keeping abreast of the provisions in national legislative frameworks. The Inclusion Portal is updated to present the information as of 31 March 2024. The information presented on the Inclusion Portal will be updated on a regular basis in response to the changes that will occur in the future. While International IDEA strives for accuracy and the presentation of knowledge-based information, the content might not reflect the latest information if changes occur but are not yet known.
Click here to access the full Inclusion Portal powered by International IDEA.
The Inclusion Portal is an online one-stop repository and hub of global information that solely presents the provisions in national legislative frameworks-constitutions, political party and electoral laws on the inclusion of Women, youth, Ethnicity and Indigenous Peoples, People with Disabilities, and LGBTQIA+ People. Addressing the various factors that reproduce exclusion and hinder the leave no one behind agenda is essential for democratic development. The Portal features country overviews and a comparative global view of the prevalence of the stipulated provisions on political inclusion of the traditionally/historically marginalised people/persons.
The Portal is a resource/tool to inspire policy makers, democracy actors and practitioners, civil society organisations (CSOs) and other non-state actors to address the challenges on inclusion in democracy. Furthermore, the Inclusion Portal will bolster International IDEA’s technical advisory support to strengthen inclusive democracy development processes and institutions.
The information presented is an outcome of International IDEA’s review of several legislations and the continued keeping abreast of the provisions in national legislative frameworks. The Inclusion Portal is updated to present the information as of 31 March 2024. The information presented on the Inclusion Portal will be updated on a regular basis in response to the changes that will occur in the future. While International IDEA strives for accuracy and the presentation of knowledge-based information, the content might not reflect the latest information if changes occur but are not yet known.
Click here to access the full Inclusion Portal powered by International IDEA.
The Inclusion Portal is an online one-stop repository and hub of global information that solely presents the provisions in national legislative frameworks-constitutions, political party and electoral laws on the inclusion of Women, youth, Ethnicity and Indigenous Peoples, People with Disabilities, and LGBTQIA+ People. Addressing the various factors that reproduce exclusion and hinder the leave no one behind agenda is essential for democratic development. The Portal features country overviews and a comparative global view of the prevalence of the stipulated provisions on political inclusion of the traditionally/historically marginalised people/persons.
The Portal is a resource/tool to inspire policy makers, democracy actors and practitioners, civil society organisations (CSOs) and other non-state actors to address the challenges on inclusion in democracy. Furthermore, the Inclusion Portal will bolster International IDEA’s technical advisory support to strengthen inclusive democracy development processes and institutions.
The information presented is an outcome of International IDEA’s review of several legislations and the continued keeping abreast of the provisions in national legislative frameworks. The Inclusion Portal is updated to present the information as of 31 March 2024. The information presented on the Inclusion Portal will be updated on a regular basis in response to the changes that will occur in the future. While International IDEA strives for accuracy and the presentation of knowledge-based information, the content might not reflect the latest information if changes occur but are not yet known.
Click here to access the full Inclusion Portal powered by International IDEA.
The Inclusion Portal is an online one-stop repository and hub of global information that solely presents the provisions in national legislative frameworks-constitutions, political party and electoral laws on the inclusion of Women, youth, Ethnicity and Indigenous Peoples, People with Disabilities, and LGBTQIA+ People. Addressing the various factors that reproduce exclusion and hinder the leave no one behind agenda is essential for democratic development. The Portal features country overviews and a comparative global view of the prevalence of the stipulated provisions on political inclusion of the traditionally/historically marginalised people/persons.
The Portal is a resource/tool to inspire policy makers, democracy actors and practitioners, civil society organisations (CSOs) and other non-state actors to address the challenges on inclusion in democracy. Furthermore, the Inclusion Portal will bolster International IDEA’s technical advisory support to strengthen inclusive democracy development processes and institutions.
The information presented is an outcome of International IDEA’s review of several legislations and the continued keeping abreast of the provisions in national legislative frameworks. The Inclusion Portal is updated to present the information as of 31 March 2024. The information presented on the Inclusion Portal will be updated on a regular basis in response to the changes that will occur in the future. While International IDEA strives for accuracy and the presentation of knowledge-based information, the content might not reflect the latest information if changes occur but are not yet known.
Click here to access the full Inclusion Portal powered by International IDEA.
The Inclusion Portal is an online one-stop repository and hub of global information that solely presents the provisions in national legislative frameworks-constitutions, political party and electoral laws on the inclusion of Women, youth, Ethnicity and Indigenous Peoples, People with Disabilities, and LGBTQIA+ People. Addressing the various factors that reproduce exclusion and hinder the leave no one behind agenda is essential for democratic development. The Portal features country overviews and a comparative global view of the prevalence of the stipulated provisions on political inclusion of the traditionally/historically marginalised people/persons.
The Portal is a resource/tool to inspire policy makers, democracy actors and practitioners, civil society organisations (CSOs) and other non-state actors to address the challenges on inclusion in democracy. Furthermore, the Inclusion Portal will bolster International IDEA’s technical advisory support to strengthen inclusive democracy development processes and institutions.
The information presented is an outcome of International IDEA’s review of several legislations and the continued keeping abreast of the provisions in national legislative frameworks. The Inclusion Portal is updated to present the information as of 31 March 2024. The information presented on the Inclusion Portal will be updated on a regular basis in response to the changes that will occur in the future. While International IDEA strives for accuracy and the presentation of knowledge-based information, the content might not reflect the latest information if changes occur but are not yet known.
Click here to access the full Inclusion Portal powered by International IDEA.
The Inclusion Portal is an online one-stop repository and hub of global information that solely presents the provisions in national legislative frameworks-constitutions, political party and electoral laws on the inclusion of Women, youth, Ethnicity and Indigenous Peoples, People with Disabilities, and LGBTQIA+ People. Addressing the various factors that reproduce exclusion and hinder the leave no one behind agenda is essential for democratic development. The Portal features country overviews and a comparative global view of the prevalence of the stipulated provisions on political inclusion of the traditionally/historically marginalised people/persons.
The Portal is a resource/tool to inspire policy makers, democracy actors and practitioners, civil society organisations (CSOs) and other non-state actors to address the challenges on inclusion in democracy. Furthermore, the Inclusion Portal will bolster International IDEA’s technical advisory support to strengthen inclusive democracy development processes and institutions.
The information presented is an outcome of International IDEA’s review of several legislations and the continued keeping abreast of the provisions in national legislative frameworks. The Inclusion Portal is updated to present the information as of 31 March 2024. The information presented on the Inclusion Portal will be updated on a regular basis in response to the changes that will occur in the future. While International IDEA strives for accuracy and the presentation of knowledge-based information, the content might not reflect the latest information if changes occur but are not yet known.
Click here to access the full Inclusion Portal powered by International IDEA.
The Inclusion Portal is an online one-stop repository and hub of global information that solely presents the provisions in national legislative frameworks-constitutions, political party and electoral laws on the inclusion of Women, youth, Ethnicity and Indigenous Peoples, People with Disabilities, and LGBTQIA+ People. Addressing the various factors that reproduce exclusion and hinder the leave no one behind agenda is essential for democratic development. The Portal features country overviews and a comparative global view of the prevalence of the stipulated provisions on political inclusion of the traditionally/historically marginalised people/persons.
The Portal is a resource/tool to inspire policy makers, democracy actors and practitioners, civil society organisations (CSOs) and other non-state actors to address the challenges on inclusion in democracy. Furthermore, the Inclusion Portal will bolster International IDEA’s technical advisory support to strengthen inclusive democracy development processes and institutions.
The information presented is an outcome of International IDEA’s review of several legislations and the continued keeping abreast of the provisions in national legislative frameworks. The Inclusion Portal is updated to present the information as of 31 March 2024. The information presented on the Inclusion Portal will be updated on a regular basis in response to the changes that will occur in the future. While International IDEA strives for accuracy and the presentation of knowledge-based information, the content might not reflect the latest information if changes occur but are not yet known.
Click here to access the full Inclusion Portal powered by International IDEA.
The Inclusion Portal is an online one-stop repository and hub of global information that solely presents the provisions in national legislative frameworks-constitutions, political party and electoral laws on the inclusion of Women, youth, Ethnicity and Indigenous Peoples, People with Disabilities, and LGBTQIA+ People. Addressing the various factors that reproduce exclusion and hinder the leave no one behind agenda is essential for democratic development. The Portal features country overviews and a comparative global view of the prevalence of the stipulated provisions on political inclusion of the traditionally/historically marginalised people/persons.
The Portal is a resource/tool to inspire policy makers, democracy actors and practitioners, civil society organisations (CSOs) and other non-state actors to address the challenges on inclusion in democracy. Furthermore, the Inclusion Portal will bolster International IDEA’s technical advisory support to strengthen inclusive democracy development processes and institutions.
The information presented is an outcome of International IDEA’s review of several legislations and the continued keeping abreast of the provisions in national legislative frameworks. The Inclusion Portal is updated to present the information as of 31 March 2024. The information presented on the Inclusion Portal will be updated on a regular basis in response to the changes that will occur in the future. While International IDEA strives for accuracy and the presentation of knowledge-based information, the content might not reflect the latest information if changes occur but are not yet known.
Click here to access the full Inclusion Portal powered by International IDEA.
The Inclusion Portal is an online one-stop repository and hub of global information that solely presents the provisions in national legislative frameworks-constitutions, political party and electoral laws on the inclusion of Women, youth, Ethnicity and Indigenous Peoples, People with Disabilities, and LGBTQIA+ People. Addressing the various factors that reproduce exclusion and hinder the leave no one behind agenda is essential for democratic development. The Portal features country overviews and a comparative global view of the prevalence of the stipulated provisions on political inclusion of the traditionally/historically marginalised people/persons.
The Portal is a resource/tool to inspire policy makers, democracy actors and practitioners, civil society organisations (CSOs) and other non-state actors to address the challenges on inclusion in democracy. Furthermore, the Inclusion Portal will bolster International IDEA’s technical advisory support to strengthen inclusive democracy development processes and institutions.
The information presented is an outcome of International IDEA’s review of several legislations and the continued keeping abreast of the provisions in national legislative frameworks. The Inclusion Portal is updated to present the information as of 31 March 2024. The information presented on the Inclusion Portal will be updated on a regular basis in response to the changes that will occur in the future. While International IDEA strives for accuracy and the presentation of knowledge-based information, the content might not reflect the latest information if changes occur but are not yet known.
Click here to access the full Inclusion Portal powered by International IDEA.
According to a report by UN Women, as of January 2023, Thai women held only 20.4 percent of elected seats in local government. Out of 89,329 elected positions, there were 18,262 women.
Women leaders remain rare in local politics. Because of the particular limitations that they have to face, Thai women have to work much harder just to be seen as the equals of their male counterparts. Yet many are reaching beyond these limitations and working to inspire new generations to join public service.
Glass ceiling
In the 2020 local elections, women won only 12 out of 76 seats as presidents of Provincial Administrative Organizations (PAOs), according to King Prajadhipok's Institute database.
According to Rocket Media Lab, women candidates for PAO president are outnumbered from the start. Out of 332 candidates, 238 were men (85 percent) and only 49 were women (15 percent).
PAO presidents are the highest elected executive positions in local administration. The PAOs also have legislative Councils, also elected. Below the PAOs are Subdistrict Administrative Organizations (SAOs) and municipalities. There are also Special Administrative Regions such as Bangkok and Pattaya.
King Prajadhipok's Institute reports that among the 5300 SAO presidents who held office from before the 2014 military coup until 2021, 93 percent were men and only 7 percent were women. At the municipal level of the same period, there were 2,233 male mayors and only 208 females.
For some researchers, the lack of women representatives in local government can be attributed to the pervasive idea, rooted in various social institutions, that it is better for women to live in the household as a wife and a mother, that women can’t “have it all,” and that men have better leadership traits.
Read here the full article published by Global Voices on 19 June 2024.
Image by Global Voices