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.
Senate leadership to receive letter following recess
Over 600 former staffers have signed a letter urging Senate leadership to consider legislation that would address sexual harassment on Capitol Hill. That number continued to grow Friday morning.
Women are building Ukraine’s future and playing prominent roles more than ever before in the nation’s democratic transition – particularly since the 2014 Revolution of Dignity (also known as Euromaidan). Public demand for new faces in government, and calls for sweeping political reform, have fueled both the increased election of women and the introduction of legislation to address gender inequities.
Women are building Ukraine’s future and playing prominent roles more than ever before in the nation’s democratic transition – particularly since the 2014 Revolution of Dignity (also known as Euromaidan). Public demand for new faces in government, and calls for sweeping political reform, have fueled both the increased election of women and the introduction of legislation to address gender inequities.
A single moment can spark a revolution, collective actions can transform laws, creative expression can change attitudes and an invention can alter the course of history.
A single moment can spark a revolution, collective actions can transform laws, creative expression can change attitudes and an invention can alter the course of history.
Statement by Senator Gabriela Cuevas Barron, President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union
On International Women’s Day, the Inter-Parliamentary Union proudly joins the worldwide efforts to achieve gender equality. As IPU President, I call upon male and female parliamentarians and men and women of all ages to join the fight for a better society marked by justice, equality and parity.
Statement by Senator Gabriela Cuevas Barron, President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union
On International Women’s Day, the Inter-Parliamentary Union proudly joins the worldwide efforts to achieve gender equality. As IPU President, I call upon male and female parliamentarians and men and women of all ages to join the fight for a better society marked by justice, equality and parity.
Over 50 countries maintain nationality laws that discriminate on the basis of gender, denying women the right to confer nationality on their children
Beautiful, talented, successful and modest – the women of Turkmenistan achieve outstanding results but rarely talk about it. In honour of International Women’s Day, UNDP, UNFPA, and UNODC invited eight incredible women who are engaged in a variety of fields to talk about their lives, how they cope with daily difficulties and what advice they would give to younger women on how to achieve success.
Click here to learn more.
Beautiful, talented, successful and modest – the women of Turkmenistan achieve outstanding results but rarely talk about it. In honour of International Women’s Day, UNDP, UNFPA, and UNODC invited eight incredible women who are engaged in a variety of fields to talk about their lives, how they cope with daily difficulties and what advice they would give to younger women on how to achieve success.
Click here to learn more.
For International Women's Day 2018, International IDEA sat down with female politicians from South Africa and Zambia to discuss rising above party lin
For International Women's Day 2018, International IDEA sat down with female politicians from South Africa and Zambia to discuss rising above party lin
Sebretary General of International IDEA Yves Leterme discusses why we should commemorate and celebrate International Women's Day.
Sebretary General of International IDEA Yves Leterme discusses why we should commemorate and celebrate International Women's Day.
Statement by Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, UN Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director, UN Women for International Women’s Day
Time is Now: Rural and Urban Activists Transforming Women’s Lives
Statement by Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, UN Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director, UN Women for International Women’s Day
Time is Now: Rural and Urban Activists Transforming Women’s Lives
