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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

September 2, 2014
Women Candidates to Watch in 2014

Women are at the forefront of many of this year’s critical and most-watched races. From candidates for governorships making waves from red-to-blue states, to game-changing senate seats up for grabs, women are making their voices heard now more than ever.

September 2, 2014
Nigeria: UN Women Launch Report, Training Manual On Affirmative Action

The United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women has launched a report and training manual for building the capacity of stakeholders on Affirmative Action in the country.

Ro Teimumu Kepa
August 31, 2014
Fiji's election: Women make their mark

Lawyers, entrepreneurs, academics and civil servants are some of the female candidates standing in Fiji's upcoming elections. Fijians will vote on 17 September, the first elections since the 2006 military coup.

August 27, 2014
Reasons women are not participating in politics

Unfriendly political environmental factors, culture, tradition and religious belief, low level of education as some of the barriers militating against Nigerian women’s participation in politics.

August 27, 2014
Women's role in politics is still a work in progress on anniversary of 19th amendment

Today marks the anniversary of a historic day in American politics — the day women received the same opportunity as men to vote for the individuals that represented them.

August 26, 2014
Everything You Know About Politics is Wrong

There is so much conventional wisdom about women in politics that it is often hard to wade through what’s true and what’s simply taken as truth but is actually a baseless, outdated stereotype.  Part of the problem, at least at the national level, is that there just isn’t enough information t

Women leadership in Vietnam: How more women in politics bolsters equality

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August 26, 2014

Women leadership in Vietnam: How more women in politics bolsters equality

The government of Vietnam has set a target of a minimum of 35% women's representatio

The government of Vietnam has set a target of a minimum of 35% women's representatio

Women’s Representativeness in the Parliaments in Different Electoral Systems

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August 25, 2014

Women’s Representativeness in the Parliaments in Different Electoral Systems

A Comparative Study in Five Southeast Asian Countries: Cambodia,
Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Timor-Leste:

A Comparative Study in Five Southeast Asian Countries: Cambodia,
Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Timor-Leste:

The increased number of female members of parliament: Identifying its origins and obstacles in Indonesia, the Phillippine and Timor-Leste

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August 25, 2014

The increased number of female members of parliament: Identifying its origins and obstacles in Indonesia, the Phillippine and Timor-Leste

It is generally recognized that women worldwide make substantial contributions towards politics, society
and the economy in their country. In newly democratic countries in Southeast Asia the role of women

It is generally recognized that women worldwide make substantial contributions towards politics, society
and the economy in their country. In newly democratic countries in Southeast Asia the role of women