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Advocacy and Lobbying

Advocacy and lobbying 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 lobbying 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. Lobbyists attempt to sway policy makers and legislators to address specific issues, often by introducing or revising legislation and policy. Lobbying activities may include private meetings with decision makers, public campaigns and demonstrations.

Gender Justice: Key to Achieving the Millenium Development Goals

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March 16, 2011

Gender Justice: Key to Achieving the Millenium Development Goals

The Millenium Declaration and the eight Millenium Development Goals (MDGs) collectively herald a vision for a more just and equal world: a promise by governments in 189 countries to achieve social justice for all. Only five years remain until the target date of 2015 for achieving the MDGs.

The Millenium Declaration and the eight Millenium Development Goals (MDGs) collectively herald a vision for a more just and equal world: a promise by governments in 189 countries to achieve social justice for all. Only five years remain until the target date of 2015 for achieving the MDGs.

Event

Film screening of La Hija Del General (The General’s Daughter)

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Film screening of La Hija Del General (The General’s Daughter)

The National Democratic Institute Women’s Political Participation Team

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The National Capital Chapter of the US National Committee for UN Women

Event

Nepal Human Development Report 2009: State Transformation and Human Development

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March 7, 2011

Nepal Human Development Report 2009: State Transformation and Human Development

Without peace, human development is not possible and without human development, peace is not sustainable. Both require inclusion and participation—which can evolve through the restructuring of the state and deepening of the democracy of a political system.

Without peace, human development is not possible and without human development, peace is not sustainable. Both require inclusion and participation—which can evolve through the restructuring of the state and deepening of the democracy of a political system.

Event

Event

Faces of Climate Change, International Women’s Day film screening

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Faces of Climate Change, International Women’s Day film screening

In celebration of the 100th anniversary of International Women’s Day, Oxfam Australia is will be showing film series about women impacted by climate change on the big screen at Federation Square on

Interviews

Ending Violence Against Women and Human Trafficking: A Guide to New Strategies

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January 4, 2011

Ending Violence Against Women and Human Trafficking: A Guide to New Strategies

This toolkit provides you with resources and ideas to help focus your efforts to fight domestic violence, sexual violence and trafficking and to give you a framework for action.

This toolkit provides you with resources and ideas to help focus your efforts to fight domestic violence, sexual violence and trafficking and to give you a framework for action.

Advocacy and Running for Office: A Training Manual for Women

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January 4, 2011

Advocacy and Running for Office: A Training Manual for Women

This manual brings together training material used in Vital Voices advocacy and campaign skills trainings across the globe.  

This manual brings together training material used in Vital Voices advocacy and campaign skills trainings across the globe.