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 Equality and Extension of Women's Rights in Russia in the Context of the UN Millennium Development Goals

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March 19, 2007

Gender Equality and Extension of Women's Rights in Russia in the Context of the UN Millennium Development Goals

This report analyzes the current situation in Russia with regard to different forms of gender inequality. It identifies key policy areas towards achievement of the third Millennium Development Goal, with respect to the specific Russian context.

Image Building in Croatia: Working with the Media

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March 15, 2007

Image Building in Croatia: Working with the Media

This manual provides political party members with guidelines for building an effective media campaign. It discusses the importance of media campaigns as vehicles to communicate with citizens and to involve citizens in the work of the political party.

BRIDGE Cutting Edge Packs Gender and Migration

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March 12, 2007

BRIDGE Cutting Edge Packs Gender and Migration

How does migration advance or impede gender equality? How can policy-makers and practitioners promote gender equality in work on migration? Migration can bring new opportunities for greater gender equality and a better life, for those migrating and those they leave behind.

Gender and Sexuality

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March 12, 2007

Gender and Sexuality

Gender and sexuality are important in political struggles and development. This report explores the framework of sexual rights and the work of the United Nations in areas of gender and sexual rights, as well as describes efforts to focus activism and programming on defending sexual rights.

Gender and HIV/AIDS

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March 12, 2007

Gender and HIV/AIDS

This report outlines the importance of locating HIV/AIDS within a gendered human rights framework. It analyzes how HIV/AIDS exacerbates gender inequality, and how gender inequality shapes the economic, political, and social factors driving the HIV epidemic.

Young Women Leaders: A Real Trend or Utopia?

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March 12, 2007

Young Women Leaders: A Real Trend or Utopia?

This essay discusses the importance of young women leaders to influence Malaysian politics and issues a challenge to young women leaders to strengthen the forces of democracy.

Issues in Women's Political Empowerment in the Asia-Pacific Region

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March 12, 2007

Issues in Women's Political Empowerment in the Asia-Pacific Region

This paper assesses the status, critical issues, and future directions of women’s political participation in the Asia-Pacific region four years after the signing of the Beijing Platform for Action.