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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

International IDEA Report: The Global State of Democracy 2017

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May 10, 2018

International IDEA Report: The Global State of Democracy 2017

Today’s political landscape poses complex global challenges to democracies.

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Today’s political landscape poses complex global challenges to democracies.

Interviews

Jeffrey Lazarus and Amy Steigerwalt

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May 4, 2018

Jeffrey Lazarus and Amy Steigerwalt

Authors of “Gendered Vulnerability: How Women Work Harder to Stay In Office”
Authors of “Gendered Vulnerability: How Women Work Harder to Stay In Office”
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Authors of “Gendered Vulnerability: How Women Work Harder to Stay In Office”

After a century of women’s votes what about political seats?

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May 4, 2018

After a century of women’s votes what about political seats?

This year marks the centenary of the Representation of the People Act 1918 which gave the vote to all British and Irish men over 21 and women over 30 who met minimum property or education qualifications.

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This year marks the centenary of the Representation of the People Act 1918 which gave the vote to all British and Irish men over 21 and women over 30 who met minimum property or education qualifications.

May 3, 2018
EU worries over apathy among women in politics in Nigeria

The European Union (EU) is worried that since its huge investment in Nigerian politics, there had been no improvement in women participation.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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