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.

Event

Working with Women Candidates and Women Voters during Elections

Back
July 24, 2008

Working with Women Candidates and Women Voters during Elections

This consolidated response highlights tools used to empower women candidates, such as providing training, working with political parties, using affirmative action measures,and holding outreach campaigns.

Print article

This consolidated response highlights tools used to empower women candidates, such as providing training, working with political parties, using affirmative action measures,and holding outreach campaigns.

MDG3 Global Call to Action Campaign

Back
July 7, 2008

MDG3 Global Call to Action Campaign

MDG3 Global Call to Action campaign focuses on the third Millennium Development Goal (MDG 3) on gender equality and women's economic empowerment.

Print article

MDG3 Global Call to Action campaign focuses on the third Millennium Development Goal (MDG 3) on gender equality and women's economic empowerment.

Training Workshop on Leadership, Media & Conflict Management for Women in Afghanistan

Back
June 30, 2008

Training Workshop on Leadership, Media & Conflict Management for Women in Afghanistan

This is a synopsis of a training workshop on leadership, media and conflict management for women in Afghanistan conducted by UNFPA. It includes a short description of each discussion topics and a detailed agenda of the workshop.

Print article

This is a synopsis of a training workshop on leadership, media and conflict management for women in Afghanistan conducted by UNFPA. It includes a short description of each discussion topics and a detailed agenda of the workshop.

Gender Mainstreaming in South-East Asia

Back
June 20, 2008

Gender Mainstreaming in South-East Asia

This consolidated response highlights the role of international organizations, national governments, and non-profit women’s organizations in mainstreaming gender into national policies and legislation of the South-East Asian countries.

Print article

This consolidated response highlights the role of international organizations, national governments, and non-profit women’s organizations in mainstreaming gender into national policies and legislation of the South-East Asian countries.

Resource Guide for Gender Theme Groups

Back
May 21, 2008

Resource Guide for Gender Theme Groups

This guide focuses on how to collaborate around women's empowerment and gender equality issues at the country level and to mainstream gender equality concerns into gender related international programs and plans of action.

Print article

This guide focuses on how to collaborate around women's empowerment and gender equality issues at the country level and to mainstream gender equality concerns into gender related international programs and plans of action.

When Women Win, the Country Wins Poster

Back
May 17, 2008

When Women Win, the Country Wins Poster

This poster was a part of media campaign held by women in the 2003 elections in Jordan. It says "When Women Win, the Country Wins".

Print article

This poster was a part of media campaign held by women in the 2003 elections in Jordan. It says "When Women Win, the Country Wins".

Women Today

Back
April 7, 2008

Women Today

This report examines the role of women in development processes and stereotypes existing in society against women in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Print article

This report examines the role of women in development processes and stereotypes existing in society against women in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

DAC Source Book on Concepts and Approaches Linked to Gender Equality

Back
March 4, 2008

DAC Source Book on Concepts and Approaches Linked to Gender Equality

The DAC Working Party on Gender Equality has drawn together a set of practical guidelines for advancing the goals identified by the OECD Development Assistance Committee and by the Beijing Platform for Action (1995) with respect to gender equality and the empowerment of women.

Print article

The DAC Working Party on Gender Equality has drawn together a set of practical guidelines for advancing the goals identified by the OECD Development Assistance Committee and by the Beijing Platform for Action (1995) with respect to gender equality and the empowerment of women.

Subscribe to Advocacy and Lobbying