Advocacy and development are activities that represent and promote the needs of specific groups in political and social arenas. One such group is women, who can collectively pressure their leaders for legislative reforms to protect and promote women’s rights and concerns. It is the goal of advocacy groups and lobbyists to ensure that both the public and politicians understand and support their cause, so that it gains strength and credibility. Securing rights and gains for women requires coalition-building, funding, civic education, awareness-raising and individuals willing to lead the way.
While the goals of advocacy and development are similar, the processes are distinctly different. Advocacy involves gaining and exercising power to influence a political action. Employing methods such as demonstrations, public campaigns and civic education, advocacy can be the primary mission of international agencies and civil society organizations seeking to influence global and national decision makers. Women worldwide frequently organize themselves for advocacy purposes, drawing on their collective power to affect legislation, official policies and governmental programs. Lobbying, however, refers to influencing the government and its leaders. Development attempt to sway policy makers and legislators to address specific issues, often by introducing or revising legislation and policy. Development activities may include private meetings with decision makers, public campaigns and demonstrations.
Since the revolution of January 2011, IDEA has been following closely the transition to democracy in Tunisia. Over the past two years, the Institute has strengthened its presence on the ground to provide support to the ongoing constitutional process.
Although Lebanon is known in the Middle East for its relative political openness and for the degree of freedom Lebanese women enjoy, it paradoxically has one of the lowest rates of women’s political engagement in the region.
Michelle Bachelet United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director of UN Women : “The century of inclusion and women’s full participation”. Dublin, Ireland. 21 February, 2013.
This publication, published by UNDP and NDI, identifies targeted interventions for promoting the stronger presence and influence of women in political parties as well as advancing gender equality issues in party policies and platforms.
As the 2013 National Assembly elections approach, Cambodia has an opportunity to improve women’s political participation.
Though few Mauritanians are able to have a say in their country’s political life, one group of dedicated women is determined to be heard.
They transformed British society in little more than a generation – campaigning on everything from equal rights to abortion and apartheid.
NAIROBI, Jan 25 2013 (IPS) - Few women in Kenya harbour illusions of entering politics.
Women’s empowerment, participatory local governance and non-stereotyped approaches to wo/men’s roles are at the heart of the “Women in Local Democracy” project, which is currently being implemented by UNDP Armenia and funded by the European Union.