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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.

Coalition Best Practices: NDI West Bank and Gaza

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March 9, 2007

Coalition Best Practices: NDI West Bank and Gaza

This report describes the best practices of building successful political coalitions and examines issues that political parties and other organizations should consider when attempting to build a new coalition or strengthen an existing one.

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This report describes the best practices of building successful political coalitions and examines issues that political parties and other organizations should consider when attempting to build a new coalition or strengthen an existing one.

Joining Forces: A Guide for Forming, Joining and Building Political Coalitions

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March 9, 2007

Joining Forces: A Guide for Forming, Joining and Building Political Coalitions

This guide offers a series of questions that political parties and organizations should think about as they consider joining in coalitions with like-minded parties and organizations.

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This guide offers a series of questions that political parties and organizations should think about as they consider joining in coalitions with like-minded parties and organizations.

Advocacy and Legislative Process in Kyrgyzstan 2001

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March 8, 2007

Advocacy and Legislative Process in Kyrgyzstan 2001

This manual was developed for an advocacy training session held in Kyrgyzstan. It contains important information on the legislative processes in Kyrgyzstan in order to aid in the planning and carrying out of effective legislative advocacy campaigns.

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This manual was developed for an advocacy training session held in Kyrgyzstan. It contains important information on the legislative processes in Kyrgyzstan in order to aid in the planning and carrying out of effective legislative advocacy campaigns.

Advocacy and Legislative Process in Kyrgyzstan 2002

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March 8, 2007

Advocacy and Legislative Process in Kyrgyzstan 2002

This manual was developed for an advocacy training session held in Kyrgyzstan. It contains important information on the legislative processes in Kyrgyzstan in order to aid in the planning and carrying out of effective legislative advocacy campaigns.

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This manual was developed for an advocacy training session held in Kyrgyzstan. It contains important information on the legislative processes in Kyrgyzstan in order to aid in the planning and carrying out of effective legislative advocacy campaigns.

Constituency Handbook for Members of Parliament: An Overview of NDI's Constituency Outreach Training Program in Malawi

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March 8, 2007

Constituency Handbook for Members of Parliament: An Overview of NDI's Constituency Outreach Training Program in Malawi

This handbook was written as a guide to help Members of Parliament in Malawi work effectively with their constituency.

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This handbook was written as a guide to help Members of Parliament in Malawi work effectively with their constituency.

Promoting Women's Political Participation: Women Representatives Training (WRT) Program Trainer's Manual

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March 8, 2007

Promoting Women's Political Participation: Women Representatives Training (WRT) Program Trainer's Manual

This training manual includes a detailed description of an eight-week long training session conducted for women political leaders in Nepal.

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This training manual includes a detailed description of an eight-week long training session conducted for women political leaders in Nepal.

Women Can Win! A Campaign Manual for Women Candidates in the Nepali Local Government Elections

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March 8, 2007

Women Can Win! A Campaign Manual for Women Candidates in the Nepali Local Government Elections

This manual is based on the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs' (NDI) "Women Can Win!" manual. It serves as a tool to motivate and train Nepali women candidates and representatives.

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This manual is based on the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs' (NDI) "Women Can Win!" manual. It serves as a tool to motivate and train Nepali women candidates and representatives.

Increasing Women's Political Participation in Guyana - Trainer’s Manual: Campaign Skills

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March 8, 2007

Increasing Women's Political Participation in Guyana - Trainer’s Manual: Campaign Skills

This manual is part of the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs' (NDI) efforts to increase women's participation in decision-making processes in Guyana.

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This manual is part of the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs' (NDI) efforts to increase women's participation in decision-making processes in Guyana.

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