By Erin Vilardi,

As we celebrate Women’s Equality Day today—and openly recognize it’s flawed history in the full enfranchisement of all women—we continue the fight for equality and self-determination in our democracy. Next year, when we mark the centennial of (white) women’s suffrage in the U.S., the same rallying cry of the suffragists will remain our most powerful weapon.

Close to 200 women are set to contest this year's Federal National Council elections — more than double the number who took part when the country last went to the polls.

A total of 182 female candidates have been included on a 499-strong preliminary list of contenders before the nationwide vote, which takes place on October 5.

Over 2.5 billion women and girls around the world are affected by discriminatory laws—laws that impede gender equality and hold women and girls back. In too many countries, there are unequal standards for women and men, whether it’s for applying for a passport or in the choice of employment, receiving inheritance and deciding when and whom to marry.

The just-ended harmonised elections in Zimbabwe have revealed that very few women triumphed in their quest to represent the people in both the National Assembly and in local authorities.

Ironically, women have a numerically advantage over their male counterparts as a voting bloc.

In recent months, the developing nation of Somaliland has made a number of steps towards encouraging the active participation of women throughout its institutions. As the writer of the article below notes, newly-elected President Hon. Musa Bihi Abdiand and his cabinet made several suggestions on ensuring the inclusion of women in politics through a bill that is soon to be passed.