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.
Johannesburg, South Africa (ADV) – A Malawian NGO Gender Coordination Network (NGO-GCN) has expressed concern on political parties that snubbed women in the internal election processes with many female parliamentary candidates forced to stand as inde
A local pro-democracy and women’s rights advocacy group working in Southeastern Liberia, the National Institute for Public Opinion (NIPO), has concluded a one-day dialogue on women’s political participation in Sinoe County.
Open-letter signatory Susana Malcorra says women ‘need to be very prepared to fight back’ amid global political shift.
ZIMBABWE’S first ever women’s political leadership school was on Friday launched in Masvingo under the name, Women’s Academy for Leadership and Political Excellence (Walpe).
51 women from different political parties and civil society organizations in Adana, southern Turkey, made a joint statement calling for more gender equality in politics at workshop organized by UN Women.
Conducted by UNDP, UN Women, UNFPA, and ESCWA, this study on Gender Justice & the Law in the Arab States Region provides a comprehensive assessment of laws and policies affecting gender equality and protection against gender-based violence in Ara
Conducted by UNDP, UN Women, UNFPA, and ESCWA, this study on Gender Justice & the Law in the Arab States Region provides a comprehensive assessment of laws and policies affecting gender equality and protection against gender-based violence in Ara
Given that 2018 is the centenary of some women gaining the vote in the UK, the British Council has commissioned this research to map and understand the key developments in women’s role in politics in the UK and around the world over the last 100 year
Given that 2018 is the centenary of some women gaining the vote in the UK, the British Council has commissioned this research to map and understand the key developments in women’s role in politics in the UK and around the world over the last 100 year
Promoting the full and equal participation of women with disabilities in political and public life was the focus of discussions at a conference organized by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) in Vienna on 16 and 17 A
In many African countries, women leaders lack the resources, numbers and visibility to significantly effect transformational change.
In many African countries, women leaders lack the resources, numbers and visibility to significantly effect transformational change.