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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.

July 5, 2023
Philippines: woman political prisoner freed

“It took four years for Ge-ann to be acquitted of all the charges against her, involving a ridiculous trove of firearms and explosives that bear the usual telltale marks of planted evidence.

July 5, 2023
Group wants monuments named after prominent Nigerian women

The Women in Politics forum, a non-governmental organisation, says it is disheartening that the federal government did not name any of the 15 airports after Nigerian women.

Women’s interest in entering politics surged after Dobbs. So why aren’t they running?

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July 4, 2023

Women’s interest in entering politics surged after Dobbs. So why aren’t they running?

Susanna Gibson remembers where she was and what she was doing on June 24, 2022, the way some remember 9/11 or the Challenger explosion.

Susanna Gibson remembers where she was and what she was doing on June 24, 2022, the way some remember 9/11 or the Challenger explosion.

'Rage giving' prompted by the end of Roe has dropped off, abortion access groups say

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July 3, 2023

'Rage giving' prompted by the end of Roe has dropped off, abortion access groups say

Reproductive health organizations and advocacy groups say one-time emergency grants have ended and individual and foundation giving has dropped off this year.

Reproductive health organizations and advocacy groups say one-time emergency grants have ended and individual and foundation giving has dropped off this year.

June 30, 2023
Nigeria, organisation advocates increased representation of women, PWDs in governance

The Women Rights Initiative (WORI), an NGO has advocated for increased representation of women and Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in governance.

Point/Counterpoint: women are proving to be powerful political, societal forces

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June 28, 2023

Point/Counterpoint: women are proving to be powerful political, societal forces

So many political issues, from debates over abortion and school curriculum materials to budget cuts, are framed as attacks on “women” as a group, and polls and statistics showing that women’s votes lean left are usually cited as evidence for the idea

So many political issues, from debates over abortion and school curriculum materials to budget cuts, are framed as attacks on “women” as a group, and polls and statistics showing that women’s votes lean left are usually cited as evidence for the idea

June 28, 2023
Canada: Status of Women Council announces new president, executive director

The Status of Women Council of the NWT, leaderless for almost a year, says it now has a new president and a fresh executive director.

A year in post-Roe America: The biggest surprises on abortion and politics

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June 26, 2023

A year in post-Roe America: The biggest surprises on abortion and politics

One year ago, the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade along with 50 years of legal precedent. We asked experts across the political spectrum about how the end of Roe would change U.S.

One year ago, the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade along with 50 years of legal precedent. We asked experts across the political spectrum about how the end of Roe would change U.S.

Catholics call for Vatican to embrace women in leadership, LGBTQ community, report says

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June 23, 2023

Catholics call for Vatican to embrace women in leadership, LGBTQ community, report says

From welcoming LGBTQ Catholics to better representation of women, the Vatican published on Tuesday a reflection on the top social issues facing the Catholic Church as part

From welcoming LGBTQ Catholics to better representation of women, the Vatican published on Tuesday a reflection on the top social issues facing the Catholic Church as part