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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

Women’s Political Participation in Asia and the Pacific

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April 28, 2014

Women’s Political Participation in Asia and the Pacific

This paper examines current patterns of women’s political participation in the four subregions (Eastern Asia, South-Eastern Asia, South Asia and the Pacific Islands) of the Asia-Pacific region.
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This paper examines current patterns of women’s political participation in the four subregions (Eastern Asia, South-Eastern Asia, South Asia and the Pacific Islands) of the Asia-Pacific region.
April 28, 2014
Politics still a man’s game, India

Women’s issues may be high on the agenda for political parties vying for votes in India’s mammoth general election, but few female lawmakers will get an opportunity to implement the policies being proposed.

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April 28, 2014
Do not boycott the elections: Motshekga, South Africa

ANC Women's League President, Angie Motshekga, has called on young people not to heed calls to boycott upcoming elections. She was speaking at a Freedom Day rally organised by the Young Communist League (YCL) and other alliance partners in Mfuleni on the Cape Flats.

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April 28, 2014
She should run is the anthem of NWI pols, USA

There is an Ethel, a Melanie, a Dana, a Jolie, a Melody, a Nancy, a Judith, and a Margaret who would prefer voters call her Peggy.

Women are all over Lake and Porter county ballots this spring.

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April 28, 2014
Stage Set for the Great Electoral Women's Day, India

With 59 winners of the total 556 contestants, women candidates seem to have had a dream run in the 2009 Lok Sabha elections. May 16 will tell if their success story repeats this time too.

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April 28, 2014
More women in Tamil Nadu turned out to vote than men, India

Women not only outnumber men on electoral rolls in the state, they also outscored them in casting votes. The Election Commission on Saturday said 2.03 crore women — 73.86% of the total women voters — cast their votes in the Lok Sabha elections held on Thursday.

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April 25, 2014
NEC Gender Section Begins Regional Seminars, Liberia

The Gender Section of the National Elections Commission (NEC) has begun the conduct of a string of regional Gender Seminars to encourage Women's Political participation in the ensuing Special Senatorial Election.

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April 22, 2014
Is India on the cusp of a gender revolution?

In late March, Raveela Gangula rallied a dozen women to stop a drunken man from savagely beating his wife in Muthangi, a village in the southern Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. Although they restrained him and called the police, he was released that evening without charges.

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April 22, 2014
Senior UN official calls for women to remain engaged in Afghan political life

With the results still being counted from Afghanistan's recent presidential election, the top United Nations official in the country today urged efforts t

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