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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

May 3, 2018
Meet two of the women leading the effort to overhaul politics in Lebanon

There are only four women in Lebanon’s female-unfriendly parliament, where even the women’s affairs minister is a man. A record number of female candidates – 84 to be precise – are trying to correct that jarring imbalance in Sunday’s election.

May 2, 2018
Women Step Up for State Office

Nevada and Arizona could make history this fall, with both states positioned to elect the first female-majority legislative chambers in the nation's history.

May 1, 2018
Southeast communities strategize on women’s participation in elections

Participants at UN-backed events in the southeastern provinces of Paktya and Paktika called on community members to work together to support women’s participation in the upcoming elections.

May 1, 2018
Karnataka polls: Low proportion of women candidates across political divide shows they still face disadvantages aplenty

Congress member Motamma is a veteran in Karnataka politics. A former leader of Opposition in Karnataka Legislative Council from 2010 to 2012, she is the first woman to be appointed to that position.

April 30, 2018
Ethiopia parliament elects female speaker, Muferiat Kamil

Ethiopia’s parliament, the House of Peoples’ Representatives, has chosen a former Minister of Women’s Affairs, as its new speaker, state-affiliated FANA Broadcasting Corporate reports.

April 30, 2018
Equal Voice Alberta launches workshops to recruit more women into politics

Equal Voice Alberta is urging more women to run in the 2019 Alberta provincial election.

April 30, 2018
Poor representation of women in politics

The 13% rise in the number of women voters compared to the 2013 Assembly elections is no doubt a good sign in a democratic set up.

April 27, 2018
Seychelles: Gender parity in President Faure’s revamped cabinet

President Danny Faure has announced a cabinet reshuffle involving a reduction in the size of the Cabinet which will now comprise 10 ministers in addition to the president and the vice

April 27, 2018
President-elect unveils gender-balanced, multi-party Cabinet in Costa Rica

Carlos Alvarado, of the Citizen Action Party (PAC), based his presidential campaign during Costa Rica’s second electoral round on a promise of national unity.