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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.

https://www.jurist.org/news/2026/04/us-dispatch-un-womens-conference-day-3-mixed-progress-for-womens-political-participation/
April 21, 2026
UN dispatch: women’s conference day 3—mixed progress for women’s political participation

The third day of the 70th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70) featured a day-long, two-part session with parliamentarians discussing women’s political representation and access to justice.

April 17, 2026
Empowering Women in Politics Leads to Better Public Spending Outcomes

A new World Bank study is reshaping how we think about women’s roles in politics. It argues that empowering women is not only about equality but also about making governments work better.

April 17, 2026
Women in power: Nepal's progress vs South Asia's paradox

Sustainable development, responsive governance and inclusive democracy all depend on women's equitable engagement and representation in politics.

April 17, 2026
Liberia: Women Legislative Caucus Launches Nationwide Community Consultations And Town Hall Engagements

The Women Legislative Caucus of Liberia (WLCL) will, from today, April 15, 2026, begin rolling out of series of community consultations and town hall engagements across eight of Liberia’s fifteen counties, aimed at advancing women’s political participation and promoting electoral legal reform.

https://placng.org/i/events/strategy-advocacy-meeting-on-advancing-womens-leadership/
April 17, 2026
Strategy Advocacy Meeting on Advancing Women’s Leadership

On Monday, 13 April 2026, key stakeholders, civil society, political parties, the legal community, and development partners convened at the Abuja Continental Hotel, Abuja, for the Strategy Advocacy Meeting on Advancing Women’s Leadership: Strengthening Pa

https://www.newvision.co.ug/category/news/women-political-representation-improves-despi-NV_231383_042026
April 17, 2026
Women political representation improves despite socia

In Uganda, women continue to occupy a growing share of parliamentary and leadership positions, reflecting deliberate policy efforts and affirmative action initiatives aimed at narrowing the gender gap

https://www.taurillon.org/for-women-democracy-has-still-not-reached-all-of-europe?lang=fr
April 17, 2026
For women, democracy has still not reached all of Europe

Serbia, Bulgaria, and Romania were consolidated after the First World War, all experiencing communist regimes following the Second World War, and, after 1989, embarking on a transition to democracy.

https://www.dw.com/en/boosting-womens-role-in-politics-dutch-style/a-76699402
April 17, 2026
Boosting women's role in politics, Dutch-style

Fatuma Muhumed is glowing as she arrives for an interview with DW just hours before her inauguration as a local councilor in the Dutch municipality of Apeldoorn — her first political office, on top

https://aliran.com/web-specials/why-we-need-more-womens-representation-in-politics
April 17, 2026
Why we need more women’s representation in politics

As it stands, women only account for 13% of Malaysia’s parliamentarians, despite making up 50% of Malaysia’s overall population.