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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.

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#PressForProgress

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March 7, 2018

#PressForProgress

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

Videos

#PressForProgress - Yves Leterme on International Women's Day 2018

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March 7, 2018

#PressForProgress - Yves Leterme on International Women's Day 2018

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.

March 6, 2018
Statement by UN Women's Executive Director for International Women’s Day 2018

Statement by Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, UN Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director, UN Women for International Women’s Day

March 6, 2018
Statement of UNDP's Administrator on International Women’s Day 2018

Theme: “The Time is Now: Rural and Urban Activists Transforming Women’s Lives”

March 6, 2018
International IDEA's International Women's Day 2018 Series: Gender-targeted public funding to support women in politics

Unequal political representation of women in relation to men remains a problem all over the world.  Just 23 per cent of the world’s members of parliament are women.

March 6, 2018
International IDEA's International Women's Day 2018 Series: Women in politics – what (more) can we do to #PressForProgress
Linda Landu (Chief Whip of Cape Winelands District Municipality, South Africa) speaks to International IDEA about women in politics.  Image: International IDEA/Fredrik Larsson
March 6, 2018
International IDEA's International Women's Day 2018 Series: Rising above party lines to place gender equality on the political agenda
March 6, 2018
International IDEA's International Women's Day 2018 Series: Global and regional efforts to enable the conditions to advance gender equality