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Elections

The right to vote and the right to stand for election are two fundamental elements of democracy. Notably, many countries did not afford women the right to vote until the 20th Century. Even today, universal suffrage is not a given right in all countries, and women often face obstacles that undermine their participation in political and electoral processes. There are various ways to support women in overcoming these obstacles. Such methods include revising the electoral system used, applying affirmative action mechanisms such as quotas, improving voter education for women and training political candidates. These are a few of the modes available to strengthen women’s political participation .Photo©Jens Franssen

October 19, 2018
Kagame reshuffles Cabinet in Rwanda, women take up more slots

President Paul Kagame yesterday reshuffled his cabinet, making broad changes in a trimmed cabinet, in which women comprise 50 per cent.

October 4, 2018
Shinzo Abe reshuffle leaves just one woman in Japanese cabinet

Japan’s prime minister, Shinzō Abe, has appointed just one woman to his new cabinet, raising questions about his commitment to

October 4, 2018
Brazil votes on Sunday. And Brazilian women have a better chance at reshaping its politics than ever before

With just one week to go before Brazil’s Oct. 7 presidential elections, up to 10 percent of the country’s male voters remain undecided — and roughly 19 percent of female voters.

Report of the UN Special Rapporteur on violence against women

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October 3, 2018

Report of the UN Special Rapporteur on violence against women

In the present report, the Special Rapporteur on violence against women, its causes and consequences analyses the issue of violence against women in politics, including in parliament and elections, and outlines her conclusion and recommendations on p

In the present report, the Special Rapporteur on violence against women, its causes and consequences analyses the issue of violence against women in politics, including in parliament and elections, and outlines her conclusion and recommendations on p

October 2, 2018
Women in Mexico face increasing violence—will a wave of women in government change that?

By Oscar López,

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Violence against women in politics: Expert group meeting report and recommendations

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October 2, 2018

Violence against women in politics: Expert group meeting report and recommendations

UN Women, the Office of the High Commissioner on Human Rights (OHCHR), and the UN Special Rapporteur on violence against women, its causes and consequences (Special Rapporteur), in collaboration with the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and the Nation

UN Women, the Office of the High Commissioner on Human Rights (OHCHR), and the UN Special Rapporteur on violence against women, its causes and consequences (Special Rapporteur), in collaboration with the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and the Nation

October 1, 2018
Hundreds of thousands of women across Brazil march against far-right presidential candidate

Hundreds of thousands of women across Brazil took to the streets Saturday to protest the presidential candidacy of far-right hopeful Jair Bolsonaro, known for making disparaging comments against women and other minorities, as well as supporting the u