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.

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.

Promoting Gender Equality in New Aid Modalities and Partnerships

Back
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.

Print article

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

Back
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.

Print article

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

Women's Rights to a Political Voice in Thailand

Back
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.

Print article

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

Back
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.

Print article

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.

Urban Governance: Why Gender Matters

Back
February 14, 2007

Urban Governance: Why Gender Matters

This paper explores gender issues as they relate to participation in urban governance, government responsibility and civic engagement.

Print article

This paper explores gender issues as they relate to participation in urban governance, government responsibility and civic engagement.

Performances of Resistance: Women's Struggle for Political Power in Cambodia

Back
February 14, 2007

Performances of Resistance: Women's Struggle for Political Power in Cambodia

This paper explores how politically engaged Cambodian women build strategies and perform various types of resistance against the male domination of democratic arenas. It investigates possible ways to eliminate gendered hierarchies of power and how to alter the stereotypes of men and women.

Print article

This paper explores how politically engaged Cambodian women build strategies and perform various types of resistance against the male domination of democratic arenas. It investigates possible ways to eliminate gendered hierarchies of power and how to alter the stereotypes of men and women.

Subscribe to Advocacy and Lobbying