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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.

International Women's Rights Action Watch - Asia Pacific (IWRAW Asia Pacific)

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April 4, 2007

International Women's Rights Action Watch - Asia Pacific (IWRAW Asia Pacific)

International Women's Rights Action Watch - Asia Pacific (IWRAW Asia Pacific) is a non-profit international women's organization based in the South.

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International Women's Rights Action Watch - Asia Pacific (IWRAW Asia Pacific) is a non-profit international women's organization based in the South.

Human Rights Watch Women's Rights Division

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April 4, 2007

Human Rights Watch Women's Rights Division

Human Rights Watch is dedicated to protecting the human rights of people around the world. The Women's Rights Division of Human Rights Watch fights against the dehumanization and marginalization of women.

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Human Rights Watch is dedicated to protecting the human rights of people around the world. The Women's Rights Division of Human Rights Watch fights against the dehumanization and marginalization of women.

Feminist Majority Foundation

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April 4, 2007

Feminist Majority Foundation

The Feminist Majority Foundation (FMF) is an organization dedicated to women's equality, reproductive health, and non-violence. In all spheres, FMF utilizes research and action to empower women economically, socially, and politically.

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The Feminist Majority Foundation (FMF) is an organization dedicated to women's equality, reproductive health, and non-violence. In all spheres, FMF utilizes research and action to empower women economically, socially, and politically.

DidiBahini

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April 4, 2007

DidiBahini

DidiBahini is a non-profit non-governmental organization established with the goal of facilitating gender mainstreaming into the development process in Nepal.

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DidiBahini is a non-profit non-governmental organization established with the goal of facilitating gender mainstreaming into the development process in Nepal.

Integrating Gender into HIV/AIDS Programmes: Resource Pack

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March 20, 2007

Integrating Gender into HIV/AIDS Programmes: Resource Pack

This resource kit sets out the latest information on HIV/AIDS and its impacts, while taking into account the gender dimensions and its processes, and makes recommendations for effective program and policy options.

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This resource kit sets out the latest information on HIV/AIDS and its impacts, while taking into account the gender dimensions and its processes, and makes recommendations for effective program and policy options.

Conflict Trends, on Women, Peace and Security (Issue 3/2003)

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March 20, 2007

Conflict Trends, on Women, Peace and Security (Issue 3/2003)

This issue of "Conflict Trends, on Women, Peace and Security" contains several articles that seek to stimulate debate regarding the positive contributions that women make on peace and security issues in Africa.

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This issue of "Conflict Trends, on Women, Peace and Security" contains several articles that seek to stimulate debate regarding the positive contributions that women make on peace and security issues in Africa.

Report of the Fifth South Asia Regional Ministerial Conference Celebrating Beijing Plus Ten

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March 20, 2007

Report of the Fifth South Asia Regional Ministerial Conference Celebrating Beijing Plus Ten

This report is an account of the Fifth South Asia Regional Ministerial Meeting, "Celebrating Beijing Plus Ten.” It provides an overview of the presentations, discussions and recommendations given at the meeting; contains the consensus document "Islamabad Declaration: Review and Future Action," a

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This report is an account of the Fifth South Asia Regional Ministerial Meeting, "Celebrating Beijing Plus Ten.” It provides an overview of the presentations, discussions and recommendations given at the meeting; contains the consensus document "Islamabad Declaration: Review and Future Action," a

Women and HIV/AIDS: Confronting the Crisis

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March 19, 2007

Women and HIV/AIDS: Confronting the Crisis

This report concludes that women are bearing the brunt of the HIV/AIDS epidemic and that strategies to reverse its effects cannot succeed unless women and girls are empowered to reclaim their rights.

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This report concludes that women are bearing the brunt of the HIV/AIDS epidemic and that strategies to reverse its effects cannot succeed unless women and girls are empowered to reclaim their rights.

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