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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.

Handbook for Women’s Rights Advocates

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July 24, 2012

Handbook for Women’s Rights Advocates

IFES has produced a handbook to serve as a tool for advocates of women’s rights and gender equality in Afghanistan, as well as Women of Influence.  Women of Influence are those who pursue information about candidates’ policies and programs, engage candidates on topics of importance to women,

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IFES has produced a handbook to serve as a tool for advocates of women’s rights and gender equality in Afghanistan, as well as Women of Influence.  Women of Influence are those who pursue information about candidates’ policies and programs, engage candidates on topics of importance to women,

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Ghana: Obstacles facing female politicians – Making it Compulsory to have Women in Ghana’s Parliament

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Ghana: Obstacles facing female politicians – Making it Compulsory to have Women in Ghana’s Parliament

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Beatrice Boateng, a member of parliament with the New Patriotic Party, Ghana’s official opposition to the ruling New Democratic Congress, has earned her place among the country’s lawmakers. As she takes her seat in parliament, she does so having overcoming the numerous obstacles that face all would-be female politicians in Ghana, including defamation and financial difficulties. It is little wonder then that when visitors observe Ghana’s legislators in action, one thing is immediately clear – there are very few women who sit in the West African country’s parliament.

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Beatrice Boateng, a member of parliament with the New Patriotic Party, Ghana’s official opposition to the ruling New Democratic Congress, has earned her place among the country’s lawmakers. As she takes her seat in parliament, she does so having overcoming the numerous obstacles that face all would-be female politicians in Ghana, including defamation and financial difficulties. It is little wonder then that when visitors observe Ghana’s legislators in action, one thing is immediately clear – there are very few women who sit in the West African country’s parliament.

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World News

MENA: Religion is not the biggest enemy for Arab women, poll finds

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MENA: Religion is not the biggest enemy for Arab women, poll finds

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In accepting the Nobel Peace Prize last year, Yemeni activist Tawakkol Karman thanked women of the Arab world for her medal. Without their struggle to win equal rights, she would not be there, she said.

The greatest challenge in that quest is not religion but the lack of economic and social development and a dearth of perceived security, said a Gallup Poll released Monday.

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In accepting the Nobel Peace Prize last year, Yemeni activist Tawakkol Karman thanked women of the Arab world for her medal. Without their struggle to win equal rights, she would not be there, she said.

The greatest challenge in that quest is not religion but the lack of economic and social development and a dearth of perceived security, said a Gallup Poll released Monday.

World News

China: Women dismiss dress suggestions from Shanghai metro firm

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China: Women dismiss dress suggestions from Shanghai metro firm

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Photo credit: China Daily

Several women in Shanghai protested a statement from the municipal subway authority that "scantily clad women attract molesters" by holding posters reading: "I can be coquettish, but you can't harass me".

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Photo credit: China Daily

Several women in Shanghai protested a statement from the municipal subway authority that "scantily clad women attract molesters" by holding posters reading: "I can be coquettish, but you can't harass me".

World News

Ireland: Conference examines issues for women considering politics

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Ireland: Conference examines issues for women considering politics

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Have a passion and belief, don’t over promise and obsess about the small stuff - advice for women considering politics

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Have a passion and belief, don’t over promise and obsess about the small stuff - advice for women considering politics

World News

Pakistan: death threats against lawyer Asma Jahangir

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Pakistan: death threats against lawyer Asma Jahangir

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The Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, a joint programme of the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT), requests your urgent intervention in the following situation in Pakistan:

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The Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, a joint programme of the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT), requests your urgent intervention in the following situation in Pakistan:

World News

Women Rally for Role in Politics

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Women Rally for Role in Politics

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Women in Northern Ireland voiced out their concerns that half of the country's population is not fairly represented in the decision making process and that the representation of women has not improved from the last elections.
For more information, please see http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/6494603.stm

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Women in Northern Ireland voiced out their concerns that half of the country's population is not fairly represented in the decision making process and that the representation of women has not improved from the last elections.
For more information, please see http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/6494603.stm

World News

New International IDEA Resource

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New International IDEA Resource

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30 Years of Democracy: Riding the Wave? Women’s Political Participation in Latin America. “Ginger Rogers did everything Fred Astaire did, except backwards and in high heels.”

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30 Years of Democracy: Riding the Wave? Women’s Political Participation in Latin America. “Ginger Rogers did everything Fred Astaire did, except backwards and in high heels.”

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