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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.

https://placng.org/i/events/strategy-advocacy-meeting-on-advancing-womens-leadership/
April 17, 2026
Strategy Advocacy Meeting on Advancing Women’s Leadership

On Monday, 13 April 2026, key stakeholders, civil society, political parties, the legal community, and development partners convened at the Abuja Continental Hotel, Abuja, for the Strategy Advocacy Meeting on Advancing Women’s Leadership: Strengthening Pa

https://www.newvision.co.ug/category/news/women-political-representation-improves-despi-NV_231383_042026
April 17, 2026
Women political representation improves despite socia

In Uganda, women continue to occupy a growing share of parliamentary and leadership positions, reflecting deliberate policy efforts and affirmative action initiatives aimed at narrowing the gender gap

https://www.taurillon.org/for-women-democracy-has-still-not-reached-all-of-europe?lang=fr
April 17, 2026
For women, democracy has still not reached all of Europe

Serbia, Bulgaria, and Romania were consolidated after the First World War, all experiencing communist regimes following the Second World War, and, after 1989, embarking on a transition to democracy.

https://www.dw.com/en/boosting-womens-role-in-politics-dutch-style/a-76699402
April 17, 2026
Boosting women's role in politics, Dutch-style

Fatuma Muhumed is glowing as she arrives for an interview with DW just hours before her inauguration as a local councilor in the Dutch municipality of Apeldoorn — her first political office, on top

https://aliran.com/web-specials/why-we-need-more-womens-representation-in-politics
April 17, 2026
Why we need more women’s representation in politics

As it stands, women only account for 13% of Malaysia’s parliamentarians, despite making up 50% of Malaysia’s overall population.

https://leadership.ng/iwd-womens-group-demands-greater-participation-in-politics-governance/
March 30, 2026
IWD: Women’s Group Demands Greater Participation In Politics, Governance

Women’s groups have called for greater participation in politics and decision-making in Nigeria as part of efforts to strengthen inclusive governance.

https://www.economist.com/china/2026/03/26/jiang-shengnan-is-the-most-vocal-woman-in-chinese-politics
March 30, 2026
Jiang Shengnan is the most vocal woman in Chinese politics

When jiang shengnan, a Chinese lawmaker turned political adviser, was born in 1973, a third daughter to parents in the coastal city of Wenzhou, many urged her mother to keep trying for a son. She refused and gave her daughter the name Shengnan, which means “better than men”.

https://www.myjoyonline.com/deputy-minority-leader-urges-women-to-take-up-leadership-roles-in-politics/
March 26, 2026
Deputy Minority Leader urges women to take up leadership roles in politics

The Deputy Minority Leader, Patricia Appiagyei, has called on young women, particularly students, to actively participate in politics and take up leadership positions.