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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.

February 7, 2014
Familiar Faces and Warlords Set To Dominate Afghan Election Campaign

Twenty-seven presidential hopefuls have registered as candidates for Afghanistan's crucial April 5 vote, setting the stage for a wide-open race among former warlords, powerful officials, and several prominent Western-educated technocrats...

February 6, 2014
Women groups demand passage of Women's Reservation Bill, India

Reminding political parties of their responsibility to ensure that women's rights as outlined in the Constitution are upheld, several women groups today gathered here demanding the passage of the pending 

February 3, 2014
In run up to Lok Sabha polls, parties draw plans to woo young voters, India

With the addition of 2.38 lakh new voters to the electoral list, the district now has a total of 39.84 lakh voters in 12 assembly segments including Phaphamau, Soraon, Phulpur, Pratappur, Handia, Meja, Karchana, City West, City North, City South, Bara, and Koraon.

February 3, 2014
Pacific women gather in Fiji to boost representation in politics

A group of Pacific women politicians and leaders have met in Fiji to find ways to boost the number of Pacific women in elected positions.

The Pacific has the lowest number of women in government in the world at just 4-point-7 percent.

January 31, 2014
Politics 101: How to Get Involved as a Young Woman

If someone would have told me five years ago that I’d be co-directing a website with a state representative, connecting with progressive women leaders from around the country, and going to conferences to speak on young women in politics in 2014, I would have started laughing hysterically.

January 30, 2014
Lack Of Women At Davos Reflects The Gender Gap In Global Leadership

As world leaders met on a global stage for the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland this past week, it wasn’t hard to notice that something was missing.

January 29, 2014
Rosemary Butler launches training for women seeking public office, Wales

An initiative to encourage more women to apply for key roles in Welsh public life has been launched at the Senedd.

January 29, 2014
Addressing the under-representation of women in Parliament in the UK

Regardless of the role or industry in question, networking is often an essential part of the modern day-to-day job. We all build up an array of contacts during our professional lives and we learn from the people we meet and work with.

January 27, 2014
Do Women Not Care About Politics?

I do not consider myself to be a very political person.