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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

January 23, 2018
Lebanon pushes for more women in politics

Lebanon is campaigning to get at least five times more women elected to Parliament this spring in its first vote in nearly 10 years, the country’s first women’s affairs minister says.

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January 10, 2018
Trinidad and Tobago elects its first female president: Paula-Mae Weekes

Justice Paula-Mae Weekes has been elected president of island nation Trinidad and Tobago. This makes her the first woman to lead the twin sovereign island in the southernmost part of the Caribbean.

Journeys from Exclusion to Inclusion: Marginalized women's successes in overcoming political exclusion

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January 9, 2018

Journeys from Exclusion to Inclusion: Marginalized women's successes in overcoming political exclusion

Journeys from Exclusion to Inclusion: Marginalized Women’s Successes in Overcoming Political Exclusion identifies critical factors preventing marginalized women’s inclusion in customary and democratic decision-making structures and describes how women have worked in overcoming barri

Journeys from Exclusion to Inclusion: Marginalized Women’s Successes in Overcoming Political Exclusion identifies critical factors preventing marginalized women’s inclusion in customary and democratic decision-making structures and describes how women have worked in overcoming barri

January 2, 2018
‘If we don’t run, then we won’t achieve.’ Why a record number of women are eyeing a run for governor.

EAST LANSING, Mich. — At a time when nearly every aspect of politics feels suffused by issues involving gender, the leading Democratic contender for Michigan governor makes a point of rarely mentioning hers.

December 26, 2017
Chile election ends era of female presidents in Latin America

SANTIAGO (Reuters) - When Chile’s President Michelle Bachelet leaves office in March, it will mark the end of a generation of women leaders in Latin America, leaving the region without a female head of state as it shifts to the right politically.

December 5, 2017
Meet Iceland's New Feminist, Environmentalist Prime Minister

Iceland chose its second woman prime minister, Katrin Jakobsdottir of the Left-Green Movement on Thursday.

Preventing violence against women in elections: A programming guide

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November 28, 2017

Preventing violence against women in elections: A programming guide

The publication “Preventing violence against women in elections: A programming guide”, jointly produced by UN Women and UNDP, brings to light the scourge of violence against women in elections.

The publication “Preventing violence against women in elections: A programming guide”, jointly produced by UN Women and UNDP, brings to light the scourge of violence against women in elections.