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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.

Female Arab Spring Protestors Push Broad Agenda

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October 24, 2013

Female Arab Spring Protestors Push Broad Agenda

Betraying their own biases, various Western commentators have frequently expressed shock at the visible and active presence of women and girls in demonstrations across the region.

Betraying their own biases, various Western commentators have frequently expressed shock at the visible and active presence of women and girls in demonstrations across the region.

Democracy and technology

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October 17, 2013

Democracy and technology

The Internet, cell phones and related technologies are profoundly affecting social, economic and political institutions worldwide, particularly in new and emerging democracies.

The Internet, cell phones and related technologies are profoundly affecting social, economic and political institutions worldwide, particularly in new and emerging democracies.

October 13, 2013
UN Ranks Nigeria Low In Gender Inclusion

The Country Director of the United Nations Women, Dr Grace Ongile has challenged the Nigerian government to ensure gender mainstreaming at all levels.

October 11, 2013
Gender Centre in Ghana prepares women for effective performance

The Gender Studies and Human Rights Documentation Centre (Gender Centre) has trained 40 women in human rights and leadership to enhance their performance.

September 28, 2013
Bulgaria's Ex EU Commissioner Roots for More Women in Politics

More women must take leadership positions in Bulgarian politics, argued former Bulgarian EU Commissioner Meglena Kuneva.

In an interview for Darik Radio Saturday, Kuneva reiterated her calls for a thorough change of the very "model" of Bulgarian politics.

September 23, 2013
Political involvement encouraged for high school women, USA

About 80 young women from Tucson High Magnet School participated in the Running and Winning Political Workshop Thursday.

September 17, 2013
Women at Work: The Village Head, India

There have been quite a few woman sarpanches — elected heads villages — in India. But, arguably there have been few like Chhavi Rajawat, the current sarpanch of Soda village in Rajasthan, who left a corporate job to help her ancestral village develop. Ms.

September 16, 2013
Fulfil agenda to promote women’s rights, Ghana

The Women’s Manifesto Coalition (WMC) has called on the government and gender rights organisations to take stock of what it described as “the unfulfilled agenda of promoting women’s rights.”