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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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IDEA's Electoral Risk Management Tool launched

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IDEA's Electoral Risk Management Tool launched

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International IDEA's Electoral Risk Management Tool (ERMTool) is now available free online. The tool was launched during the 6th Global Electoral Organization (GEO) Conference in Incheon, Republic of Korea in October 2013.

International IDEA's Electoral Risk Management Tool (ERMTool) is now available free online. The tool was launched during the 6th Global Electoral Organization (GEO) Conference in Incheon, Republic of Korea in October 2013.

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Mansour calls on women to participate in referendum in Egypt

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Mansour calls on women to participate in referendum in Egypt

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Interim President Adly Manosur called upon Egyptian women to participate in the referendum on the draft constitution set to take place on 14 and 15 January 2014.

In a conference organized by the National Council for women, Mansour’s speech which was delivered by his advisor on women’s affairs, Sakina Fouad, stressed the importance of women’s role in “stopping the bloodshed”.

Interim President Adly Manosur called upon Egyptian women to participate in the referendum on the draft constitution set to take place on 14 and 15 January 2014.

In a conference organized by the National Council for women, Mansour’s speech which was delivered by his advisor on women’s affairs, Sakina Fouad, stressed the importance of women’s role in “stopping the bloodshed”.

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Fawzia Koofi, the female politician who wants to lead Afghanistan

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Fawzia Koofi, the female politician who wants to lead Afghanistan

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Though disallowed from the 2014 presidential race, Fawzia Koofi is optimistic about her political career in Afghanistan. Yet it is not clear what will happen to the state of women's rights before the next one.

Afghanistan remains one of the most dangerous places anywhere in the world to be a woman, or to be a politician, and Fawzia Koofi, a deputy speaker of its national assembly, is both.

At least once a week, she receives a death threat from the Taliban or a warning from the security services about plots to assassinate her.

Though disallowed from the 2014 presidential race, Fawzia Koofi is optimistic about her political career in Afghanistan. Yet it is not clear what will happen to the state of women's rights before the next one.

Afghanistan remains one of the most dangerous places anywhere in the world to be a woman, or to be a politician, and Fawzia Koofi, a deputy speaker of its national assembly, is both.

At least once a week, she receives a death threat from the Taliban or a warning from the security services about plots to assassinate her.

Empowering Women in Afghanistan: Interview with Anita Haidary

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December 16, 2013

Empowering Women in Afghanistan: Interview with Anita Haidary

Anita Haidary is an Afghan women's rights activist and co-founder of Young Women for Change (YWC), a non-governmental organization aiming to empower and improve the lives of women in Afghanistan.

Anita Haidary is an Afghan women's rights activist and co-founder of Young Women for Change (YWC), a non-governmental organization aiming to empower and improve the lives of women in Afghanistan.

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Bachelet wins Chile presidential run-off

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Bachelet wins Chile presidential run-off

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Socialist Michelle Bachelet was swept back into office Sunday as Chile’s next president, on a platform of narrowing the gap between rich and poor.

"Chile, now, finally, the time has come to carry out the changes," Ms Bachelet told cheering supporters in Santiago shortly after her landslide win, joined by her children and mother Angela Jeria.

We invite you to read the full article published December 16, 2013

Socialist Michelle Bachelet was swept back into office Sunday as Chile’s next president, on a platform of narrowing the gap between rich and poor.

"Chile, now, finally, the time has come to carry out the changes," Ms Bachelet told cheering supporters in Santiago shortly after her landslide win, joined by her children and mother Angela Jeria.

We invite you to read the full article published December 16, 2013

Implementing and overseeing electronic voting and counting technologies

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December 16, 2013

Implementing and overseeing electronic voting and counting technologies

As a growing number of countries at various stages of development consider the use of electronic technologies in electoral processes, they face opportunities and challenges.

As a growing number of countries at various stages of development consider the use of electronic technologies in electoral processes, they face opportunities and challenges.

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In Chile, women politicians rise, but women's rights lag

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In Chile, women politicians rise, but women's rights lag

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“In Chile, the skirt’s in charge,” blared the headline of Santiago tabloid La Cuarta the day after Michelle Bachelet and Evelyn Matthei advanced to a second round in the country’s presidential race. Voters today will pick between the two life-long politicians in the first presidential election in Latin America where all the candidates are female.But having such high-profile women in Chilean politics masks a country that is falling behind its peers on women’s issues.

“In Chile, the skirt’s in charge,” blared the headline of Santiago tabloid La Cuarta the day after Michelle Bachelet and Evelyn Matthei advanced to a second round in the country’s presidential race. Voters today will pick between the two life-long politicians in the first presidential election in Latin America where all the candidates are female.But having such high-profile women in Chilean politics masks a country that is falling behind its peers on women’s issues.

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Women prepare for historic elections in Afghanistan

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Women prepare for historic elections in Afghanistan

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In the last presidential elections, women voters and MPs faced persecution, death threats and violence. With 2014’s elections drawing near, NATO Channel speaks to female MPs who discuss the real issues facing female voters.

Women’s rights have come a long way in the last 12 years in Afghanistan yet the struggle for emancipation is still in its infancy.

We invite you to read the full article published December 13, 2013

In the last presidential elections, women voters and MPs faced persecution, death threats and violence. With 2014’s elections drawing near, NATO Channel speaks to female MPs who discuss the real issues facing female voters.

Women’s rights have come a long way in the last 12 years in Afghanistan yet the struggle for emancipation is still in its infancy.

We invite you to read the full article published December 13, 2013

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They Said Men Would Be Suckling My Breasts for Five Years - Kenyan MP Speaks About 2013 Elections

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They Said Men Would Be Suckling My Breasts for Five Years - Kenyan MP Speaks About 2013 Elections

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Kenyan member of parliament Alice Wahome spoke about the violent abuse, harassment and humiliation she has experienced as a female politician at the launch of a report about women's participation in the March 2013 elections.

Female candidates in Kenya face many barriers, including violent attacks, cultural and social stereotypes, lack of money and lack of political connections.

Wahome is one of 16 women who were elected as a constituency MP in 2013, compared to 274 men.

Kenyan member of parliament Alice Wahome spoke about the violent abuse, harassment and humiliation she has experienced as a female politician at the launch of a report about women's participation in the March 2013 elections.

Female candidates in Kenya face many barriers, including violent attacks, cultural and social stereotypes, lack of money and lack of political connections.

Wahome is one of 16 women who were elected as a constituency MP in 2013, compared to 274 men.