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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

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 

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.

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.

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.

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.

May 21, 2019
Australia: Women in parliament to hit record high but 'long way to go' until gender parity

The next federal parliament is set to have a record number of women but Australia still has a "long way to go" until it achieves gender parity in its corridors of power.

May 17, 2019
In India’s elections, female candidates still need men’s blessings

Swati Yadav had lost count of the number of village campaign stops she had made since her morning began — was it 27, or 28?

May 14, 2019
Political parties shy of fielding women

Women politicians have made it to the top headlines this poll season.

May 13, 2019
Guinea adopts Law on Parity, securing equal representation of women on electoral lists

The Republic of Guinea adopted on 2 May, a Law on Parity that says women must make fifty per cent of the candidate lists for elective positions.