Skip to main content

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.

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

Back
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.

Print article

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

Back
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.

Print article

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

Back
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.

Print article

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

Back
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.

Print article

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.

Training on Advocacy and Proposal Development

Back
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

Print article

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

Back
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.

Print article

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

Back
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

Print article

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

Back
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.

Print article

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.

Subscribe to Advocacy and Lobbying