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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.

Gender Equality in Education - Beyond Access

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February 28, 2008

Gender Equality in Education - Beyond Access

This guide is designed to help education and gender campaigners, and organisations and coalitions, work more effectively with the media to promote gender-equitable education. It explores issues relating to gender equality in education and contains practical advice on working with the media.

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This guide is designed to help education and gender campaigners, and organisations and coalitions, work more effectively with the media to promote gender-equitable education. It explores issues relating to gender equality in education and contains practical advice on working with the media.

The Thai Bhikkhuni Movement and Women's Empowerment

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February 28, 2008

The Thai Bhikkhuni Movement and Women's Empowerment

This paper discusses the recent emergence of a movement in Thailand that aims to critique and transform patriarchal values and introduce female leadership roles in Thai society.

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This paper discusses the recent emergence of a movement in Thailand that aims to critique and transform patriarchal values and introduce female leadership roles in Thai society.

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Fundraising Tactics for Women

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January 16, 2008

Fundraising Tactics for Women

This training manual describes fundraising tactics on how to create solicitation teams, where to find donors, and how to solicit funds.

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This training manual describes fundraising tactics on how to create solicitation teams, where to find donors, and how to solicit funds.

Building a New Iraq: Ensuring Women’s Rights

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November 23, 2007

Building a New Iraq: Ensuring Women’s Rights

This report discusses women’s political participation in Iraq, including their role in building sustainable peace in the country and drafting the new constitution. It also include biographies of some Iraqi women leaders and list of publications related to the new role of women in Iraq.

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This report discusses women’s political participation in Iraq, including their role in building sustainable peace in the country and drafting the new constitution. It also include biographies of some Iraqi women leaders and list of publications related to the new role of women in Iraq.

Why Women Count: Broadcasting for Change Network 2007

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November 2, 2007

Why Women Count: Broadcasting for Change Network 2007

Why Women Count is a series of forty-one 5 minute programmes made by broadcasters and producers in 41 countries focusing on the theme of empowerment.

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Why Women Count is a series of forty-one 5 minute programmes made by broadcasters and producers in 41 countries focusing on the theme of empowerment.

National Machineries for Women in Development: experiences, lessons and strategies

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November 1, 2007

National Machineries for Women in Development: experiences, lessons and strategies

This report   includes salient point s  and recommendations from the BRIDGE 1996 report on National Machineries for Women (NWMs), updated with more recent thinking, policy and practice. Also included  are summaries of some best practice examples.

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This report   includes salient point s  and recommendations from the BRIDGE 1996 report on National Machineries for Women (NWMs), updated with more recent thinking, policy and practice. Also included  are summaries of some best practice examples.

Women and Leadership: The Missed Millennium Development Goal

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October 27, 2007

Women and Leadership: The Missed Millennium Development Goal

Unlike the other MDGs that are to be achieved by 2015, the third MDG on gender equality and women’s empowerment was to be achieved by the year 2005 but it was not. In that sense, it is a missed goal.

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Unlike the other MDGs that are to be achieved by 2015, the third MDG on gender equality and women’s empowerment was to be achieved by the year 2005 but it was not. In that sense, it is a missed goal.

Fundraising for Change: A Practical Guide for Women’s Rights Organizations

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October 17, 2007

Fundraising for Change: A Practical Guide for Women’s Rights Organizations

This handbook describes the process of preparation and strategies for fundraising available to women’s organizations.

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This handbook describes the process of preparation and strategies for fundraising available to women’s organizations.

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