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.
12 Mar 2012 - women who have played an instrumental role in national development and who have contributed to gender mainstreaming were on Thursday recognised by the Bureau of Women's Affairs as part of cel
12 Mar 2012 - Opposition members of Parliament (MPs) have described President Sata as a ‘man of action’ following his decision to upgrade the Gender in Development Division (GIDD)
12 Mar 2012 - Dozens of women seeking to vie for political positions have allegedly been 'bought off' by politicians for fear of competition in the next general elec
14 Mar 2012 - Women outlive men, while lagging behind.
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.
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.
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.