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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

Violence against women in elections in Afghanistan: An IFES assessment

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June 7, 2019

Violence against women in elections in Afghanistan: An IFES assessment

On October 20, 2018, Afghanistan held its long-delayed national parliamentary (Wolesi Jirga) elections.

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On October 20, 2018, Afghanistan held its long-delayed national parliamentary (Wolesi Jirga) elections.

June 6, 2019
Ireland: ‘Mismatch’ between proportion of women who stand for election and get elected

Why does a lower proportion of women get elected than stand for election? That was a key question posed at a meeting held in Dublin to discuss the barriers facing women entering politics, in the wake of the recent local elections.

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June 6, 2019
Breaking the glass ceiling: How these women parliamentarians made it

With a record 78 MPs, this election proved that female candidates can win.

Meet some first-timers without any political lineage to find out the odds they conquered on the way to Parliament.

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June 3, 2019
Record number of women become MEPs – but men still dominate

More women have been elected to the European parliament than ever before but men still account for 60% of MEPs, according to an early analysis of the European 

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May 31, 2019
724 women contested Lok Sabha polls, 78 were elected, yet only 3 made it to PM Modi's cabinet

The newly-elected 17th Lok Sabha set the record with highest number of woman: 78 MPs. However, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s cabinet, which was sworn-in on Thursday, in a largest-ever gathering, has only six women ministers in the government.

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May 30, 2019
Austria to get first female chancellor to lead caretaker Cabinet

Top court justice Brigitte Bierlein was named to become Austria's first female chancellor Thursday, tasked with forming a caretaker government until September's snap election.

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May 24, 2019
India elects a record-breaking number of women to Parliament

Women will make up about 15% of the lower house of parliament — less than the global average.

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May 23, 2019
Indian elections 2019: women candidates to watch out for

The outcome of the world’s largest election is almost upon us – the counting of votes by 900m eligible voters begins on May 23.

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