Skip to main content

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

April 14, 2015
International Consultant on Gender Equality in Parliamentary and Electoral Development Issues, Home-based with 3 missions to Chisinau, Moldova

Background

April 9, 2015
UN Women: Elections and political participation specialist

 

e-Discussions

Creating a work-life balance for women in politics

Submitted by iKNOW Politics on
Back

Creating a work-life balance for women in politics

Over the last decade, iKNOW Politics has spoken with many women leaders around the world about the challenges they face in political life. Women interviewed often speak openly about the difficulties of combining a political career with family responsibilities, and in particular, the frequent travel required to meet with constituents or attend parliamentary sessions and committee meetings, usually held away from the family home, in the capital.

Over the last decade, iKNOW Politics has spoken with many women leaders around the world about the challenges they face in political life. Women interviewed often speak openly about the difficulties of combining a political career with family responsibilities, and in particular, the frequent travel required to meet with constituents or attend parliamentary sessions and committee meetings, usually held away from the family home, in the capital.

Presidential aspirant, Professor Remi Sonaiya, has expressed her wish to change the face of politics in Nigeria
March 23, 2015
Nigeria's only female presidential candidate done with cheerleading

Lagos (AFP) - The two main candidates for the governorship of Nigeria's Lagos state took to the stage, making a flurry of promises to the all-female audience at the select Cosmopolitan Women's Club.

Event

March 10, 2015
Programme Officer - Electoral Processes

The International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance — International IDEA is an intergovernmental organization that supports sustainable democracy worldwide. Its objective is to strengthen democratic institutions and processes.

Annastacia Palaszczuk-Photo /Official Website
February 14, 2015
A day of firsts for women in politics, and one in particular

It’s a historic day for politics and women in Australia – and even more remarkable for one woman minister, who is also Queensland’s first ever Indigenous woman MP.

Libyan women
February 11, 2015
BRIDGE workshop conducted for Libyan women

The Academy for International Development-Middle East (AIDME) is implementing a three-year development project in the Middle East and North Africa region.

Dourou holds the highest-elected office of any woman in Greece-Photo Rena Dourou Official website
February 3, 2015
Little room for women in Greek cabinet

Women are conspicuously absent from the cabinet of Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras. They have traditionally been underrepresented in Greek politics, but Syriza was different. Joanna Kakissis reports from Athens.