Skip to main content

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.

Promoting the Status of Women in the UN System: Experiences from an Inside Journey

Back
January 27, 2009

Promoting the Status of Women in the UN System: Experiences from an Inside Journey

This article analyzes the efforts and strategies used to make UN institutions change in a woman-friendly way. It also includes lessons learned from the strategies used to advocate for stronger women's participation within the United Nations organizations.

Print article

This article analyzes the efforts and strategies used to make UN institutions change in a woman-friendly way. It also includes lessons learned from the strategies used to advocate for stronger women's participation within the United Nations organizations.

Fundamentalisms in Asia Pacific: Trends, Impact, Challenges and Strategies Asserting Women’s Rights

Back
January 24, 2009

Fundamentalisms in Asia Pacific: Trends, Impact, Challenges and Strategies Asserting Women’s Rights

This book analyzes the manifestations of fundamentalisms in the Asia-Pacific region and their impact on women as well as on democracy and politics in general. It includes strategies adopted by women’s groups and progressive women’s movements to resist these fundametalist developments.

Print article

This book analyzes the manifestations of fundamentalisms in the Asia-Pacific region and their impact on women as well as on democracy and politics in general. It includes strategies adopted by women’s groups and progressive women’s movements to resist these fundametalist developments.

Financing Women Candidates in Muslim Countries

Back
January 23, 2009

Financing Women Candidates in Muslim Countries

This consolidated response highlights barriers faced by women in Muslim countries in funding their political campaigns and participating in public life.

Print article

This consolidated response highlights barriers faced by women in Muslim countries in funding their political campaigns and participating in public life.

Event

Women's Perspectives on Re-invigorating Democracy, Human Rights and Economic Stability

Back

Women's Perspectives on Re-invigorating Democracy, Human Rights and Economic Stability

The Washington Office on Latin America, Just Associates(JASS),

Print article

European Women's Lobby 50/50 Campaign

Back
October 10, 2008

European Women's Lobby 50/50 Campaign

The “50/50 Campaign for Democracy” of the European Women’s Lobby is a push for concrete action to increase women’s presence in politics and in the 2009 European Parliament elections.

Print article

The “50/50 Campaign for Democracy” of the European Women’s Lobby is a push for concrete action to increase women’s presence in politics and in the 2009 European Parliament elections.

EWL Lobbying Kit: No Modern European Democracy without Gender Equality

Back
October 7, 2008

EWL Lobbying Kit: No Modern European Democracy without Gender Equality

The Kit has been produced in the context of the EWL Campaign “No Modern European Democracy without Gender Equality” to be launched officially in September 2009. The Kit comprises of two sections.

Print article

The Kit has been produced in the context of the EWL Campaign “No Modern European Democracy without Gender Equality” to be launched officially in September 2009. The Kit comprises of two sections.

Agreed Conclusions of the Commission on the Status of Women on the Critical Areas of Concern of the Beijing Platform for Action

Back
September 25, 2008

Agreed Conclusions of the Commission on the Status of Women on the Critical Areas of Concern of the Beijing Platform for Action

This resource highlights action-oriented agreed conclusions on a number of issues, including women in power and decision-making, and institutional mechanism for the advancement of women.

Print article

This resource highlights action-oriented agreed conclusions on a number of issues, including women in power and decision-making, and institutional mechanism for the advancement of women.

Mapping Aid Effectiveness and Gender Equality in Asia Pacific: Regional Issues and Trends

Back
September 18, 2008

Mapping Aid Effectiveness and Gender Equality in Asia Pacific: Regional Issues and Trends

This report provides an overview of the issues and trends that emerged from mapping studies on aid effectiveness, gender equality and women’s empowerment in Indonesia, Nepal and Papua New Guinea.

Print article

This report provides an overview of the issues and trends that emerged from mapping studies on aid effectiveness, gender equality and women’s empowerment in Indonesia, Nepal and Papua New Guinea.

Indian Experience of Women’s Quota in Local Government: Implications for Future Strategies

Back
August 28, 2008

Indian Experience of Women’s Quota in Local Government: Implications for Future Strategies

This paper highlights Indian experiences with introducing and using gender quotas in politics at local and national levels. It also describes different types of potential candidates and the impact of various players, such as media and women's organizations, on women's political participation.

Print article

This paper highlights Indian experiences with introducing and using gender quotas in politics at local and national levels. It also describes different types of potential candidates and the impact of various players, such as media and women's organizations, on women's political participation.

Subscribe to Advocacy and Lobbying