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Advocacy and Development

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.

July 5, 2023
Philippines: woman political prisoner freed

“It took four years for Ge-ann to be acquitted of all the charges against her, involving a ridiculous trove of firearms and explosives that bear the usual telltale marks of planted evidence.

July 5, 2023
Group wants monuments named after prominent Nigerian women

The Women in Politics forum, a non-governmental organisation, says it is disheartening that the federal government did not name any of the 15 airports after Nigerian women.

June 30, 2023
Nigeria, organisation advocates increased representation of women, PWDs in governance

The Women Rights Initiative (WORI), an NGO has advocated for increased representation of women and Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in governance.

June 28, 2023
Canada: Status of Women Council announces new president, executive director

The Status of Women Council of the NWT, leaderless for almost a year, says it now has a new president and a fresh executive director.