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.
ACTIVISTS under a coalition of women and constitution intend to camp at the Constituent Assembly when it commences next month, with a view to guarding their proposals already infused into the Katiba draft.
Applications for a Women In Politics Capacity Building Training are now invited by femLINKPACI
Do you want to see political change? Have you considered running for elected office (municipally, provincially or federally)? How about supporting a candidate as part of her campaign team?
“Our young women are forming a new era in female history,” wrote Massachusetts feminist Judith Sargent Murray excitedly. “The Rights of Women begin to be understood; we seem, at length, determined to do justice.” The year was 1798.
As the world celebrates 100 years of women suffrage, Indian women continue to fight for things that matter.
She’s just 16, yet known worldwide — as the ultra-famous are — by a single name. She is Malala.
In November, Cambridge voters elected eight men and one woman to serve on the nine-member City Council.
Endangered Species: Why are the Numbers of Women Representing LA County in Elected Office Dropping and How Can We Reverse this Trend?
Sunday, January 26, 2014 from 11:00 AM-5:00 PM
“In Chile, the skirt’s in charge,” blared the headline of Santiago tabloid La Cuarta the day after Michelle Bachelet and Evelyn Matthei advanced to a second round in the country’s presidential race.