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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

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Ana Luisa Rodríguez de González-Foto PNUD
July 6, 2014
Women gain ground in El Salvador’s politics

Ana Luisa Rodríguez de González has already served four terms as the mayor of Atiquizaya. She won her first election in 2003. In that same year, of the 262 municipal councils holding elections, only 15 were led by women.

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July 5, 2014
Aung San Suu Kyi's opposition party youth ready to rise in ranks

Myanmar's younger opposition members urge elders to step aside for new generation as they aspire towards bigger roles and louder voice.

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July 4, 2014
Burundian Women Want a Greater Say in Running of Country

As Burundi heads towards the 2015 general elections, and despite a quota of 30 percent women’s representation in parliament, women in this southeast African nation feel that they are yet to have a significant say in the management of their country.

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July 4, 2014
More than quotas are needed for women in politics

While Lebanon suffers from a paucity of female politicians, establishing a quota is not the only way to bolster women’s participation in the political sphere, say members of UNDP’s Lebanese Electoral Assistance Program.

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July 3, 2014
Women miss out in NSW parliament (Australia)

The heady days when Sydney women looked up to a female prime minister, female premier, governor and governor-general are long gone.

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July 2, 2014
Slovenia PM halts privatizations before election

Slovenia is halting all privatizations until a new government is formed after a snap election on July 13, outgoing Prime Minister Alenka Bratusek said on Thursday, drawing a sharp response from the 

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The incredibly poor gender diversity of elected state officials in the U.S., in 7 maps and charts

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July 2, 2014

The incredibly poor gender diversity of elected state officials in the U.S., in 7 maps and charts

South Carolina’s Senate is the nation’s least gender-diverse legislative chamber, with just 2 percent representation, according to data from theCenter for American Women and Politics at Rutgers University’s Eagleton Institute of Politics.

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South Carolina’s Senate is the nation’s least gender-diverse legislative chamber, with just 2 percent representation, according to data from theCenter for American Women and Politics at Rutgers University’s Eagleton Institute of Politics.

Creating history is herstory: a local girl turns public leader, Bhutan

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July 2, 2014

Creating history is herstory: a local girl turns public leader, Bhutan

In the landlocked Himalayan nation of Bhutan, Namgay Peldon never thought she would make history, but she did. She was elected the first women Gup, the block leader, as the nation voted for the first time, transitioning from monarchy to democracy in 2008.

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In the landlocked Himalayan nation of Bhutan, Namgay Peldon never thought she would make history, but she did. She was elected the first women Gup, the block leader, as the nation voted for the first time, transitioning from monarchy to democracy in 2008.

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