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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.

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.

Gender Equality and Extension of Women's Rights in Russia in the Context of the UN Millennium Development Goals

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March 19, 2007

Gender Equality and Extension of Women's Rights in Russia in the Context of the UN Millennium Development Goals

This report analyzes the current situation in Russia with regard to different forms of gender inequality. It identifies key policy areas towards achievement of the third Millennium Development Goal, with respect to the specific Russian context.

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This report analyzes the current situation in Russia with regard to different forms of gender inequality. It identifies key policy areas towards achievement of the third Millennium Development Goal, with respect to the specific Russian context.

Image Building in Croatia: Working with the Media

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March 15, 2007

Image Building in Croatia: Working with the Media

This manual provides political party members with guidelines for building an effective media campaign. It discusses the importance of media campaigns as vehicles to communicate with citizens and to involve citizens in the work of the political party.

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This manual provides political party members with guidelines for building an effective media campaign. It discusses the importance of media campaigns as vehicles to communicate with citizens and to involve citizens in the work of the political party.

BRIDGE Cutting Edge Packs Gender and Migration

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March 12, 2007

BRIDGE Cutting Edge Packs Gender and Migration

How does migration advance or impede gender equality? How can policy-makers and practitioners promote gender equality in work on migration? Migration can bring new opportunities for greater gender equality and a better life, for those migrating and those they leave behind.

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How does migration advance or impede gender equality? How can policy-makers and practitioners promote gender equality in work on migration? Migration can bring new opportunities for greater gender equality and a better life, for those migrating and those they leave behind.

Gender and Sexuality

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March 12, 2007

Gender and Sexuality

Gender and sexuality are important in political struggles and development. This report explores the framework of sexual rights and the work of the United Nations in areas of gender and sexual rights, as well as describes efforts to focus activism and programming on defending sexual rights.

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Gender and sexuality are important in political struggles and development. This report explores the framework of sexual rights and the work of the United Nations in areas of gender and sexual rights, as well as describes efforts to focus activism and programming on defending sexual rights.

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