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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.

Training on Advocacy and Proposal Development

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March 8, 2007

Training on Advocacy and Proposal Development

This training manual was developed for a workshop held by the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs and Concern Universal entitled, "Training on Advocacy and Proposal Development." It includes information and workshop activities aimed at increasing knowledge in important aspect

This training manual was developed for a workshop held by the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs and Concern Universal entitled, "Training on Advocacy and Proposal Development." It includes information and workshop activities aimed at increasing knowledge in important aspect

Political Parties and Democracy in Theoretical and Practical Perspectives: Developments in Party Communications

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March 8, 2007

Political Parties and Democracy in Theoretical and Practical Perspectives: Developments in Party Communications

This paper considers the possible approaches to creating more effective and inclusive political parties. It focuses on the communication channels that parties can use to strengthen their relationships with citizens and to promote fair elections.

This paper considers the possible approaches to creating more effective and inclusive political parties. It focuses on the communication channels that parties can use to strengthen their relationships with citizens and to promote fair elections.

Reducing Women's and Girls' Vulnerability to HIV/AIDS by Strengthening their Property and Inheritance Rights

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March 7, 2007

Reducing Women's and Girls' Vulnerability to HIV/AIDS by Strengthening their Property and Inheritance Rights

This information bulletin describes the grants program, "Reducing Women’s and Girls’ Vulnerability to HIV/AIDS by Strengthening their Property and Inheritance Rights." It explains the program's objectives and includes a brief profile of eight sub-Saharan African organizations that received grant

This information bulletin describes the grants program, "Reducing Women’s and Girls’ Vulnerability to HIV/AIDS by Strengthening their Property and Inheritance Rights." It explains the program's objectives and includes a brief profile of eight sub-Saharan African organizations that received grant

Plan of Action to Correct Present Imbalances in the Participation of Men and Women in Political Life

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February 22, 2007

Plan of Action to Correct Present Imbalances in the Participation of Men and Women in Political Life

This plan of action represents the Inter-Parliamentary Union's (IPU) main intellectual input to the Fourth World Conference on Women held in Beijing in 1995.

This plan of action represents the Inter-Parliamentary Union's (IPU) main intellectual input to the Fourth World Conference on Women held in Beijing in 1995.

Promoting Gender Equality in New Aid Modalities and Partnerships

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February 20, 2007

Promoting Gender Equality in New Aid Modalities and Partnerships

This paper identifies an initial set of considerations to ensure that gender equality is central to the aid effectiveness agenda.

This paper identifies an initial set of considerations to ensure that gender equality is central to the aid effectiveness agenda.

World Survey on the Role of Women in Development 2004: Women and International Migration

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February 15, 2007

World Survey on the Role of Women in Development 2004: Women and International Migration

This report sets out recommendations to improve the situation of migrant, refugee and trafficked women.

This report sets out recommendations to improve the situation of migrant, refugee and trafficked women.

Women's Rights to a Political Voice in Thailand

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February 15, 2007

Women's Rights to a Political Voice in Thailand

This report highlights the current status of women’s role in government in Thailand. It analyzes the reasons behind the slow progress to date, and proposes ways and means to overcome existing barriers to women in politics.

This report highlights the current status of women’s role in government in Thailand. It analyzes the reasons behind the slow progress to date, and proposes ways and means to overcome existing barriers to women in politics.

Women in Government Source Kit

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February 15, 2007

Women in Government Source Kit

This resource kit provides tools for learning about the issues surrounding the campaign for gender balance or parity in government and gender balance in politics more generally.

This resource kit provides tools for learning about the issues surrounding the campaign for gender balance or parity in government and gender balance in politics more generally.