May 30, 2012
Female Longevity Offset by Lethal Gender Gaps
14 Mar 2012 - Women outlive men, while lagging behind.
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.
May 30, 2012
UN Women: Partnering to Close Data and Evidence Gaps for Women
13 Mar 2012 - There has been growing recognition that good development models are based on evidence and mutual accountability. Yet for years the lack of gender-related statistics has been used as a reason to not take bolder action on gender equality and women’s empowerment.
May 30, 2012
Japan: Quake took toll on women and elderly
12 Mar 2012 - One year ago, the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami took 13,007 lives in Iwate, Miyagi, Fukushima -- the country's three most affected prefectures; 54 percent of those fatalities were women and girls.
May 30, 2012
Botswana: Women empowerment still illusive
14 Mar 2012 - March 8 is marked as International Women’s Day. I wish to dedicate this piece to our women and discuss the thorny issue of women and politics.
May 30, 2012
Pakistan: HRFP and GHRD organize seminar on Empowered Women and a Strong Society
17 March 2012 - Human Rights Focus Pakistan (HRFP) in collaboration with Global Human Rights Defense (GHRD) celebrated International Women’s Day with great enthusiasm and vigor. The theme selected for day was “Empowered Women - Strong Society “at Faisalabad.
May 30, 2012
UN Women: Impasse at Commission on Status of Women “deeply regrettable”
16 Mar 2012 -UN Women Executive Director Michelle Bachelet comments on the ending of the 56th session of the Commission on the Status of Women without agreed conclusions.
May 30, 2012
Singapore: Islamic groups object to gender equality
16 Mar 2012 - Six major Islamic organizations have voiced objections to the gender fairness and equality bill, saying that some articles may harm Islamic values.
May 30, 2012
Arab States: Women After the Arab Spring
16 Mar 2012 - The Arab Spring continues to blow winds of change in the Middle East. There is no doubt the direction these countries are heading in will affect Arab societies and personal rights. But recently, the focus has been on women in the aftermath of the Arab Spring.