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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

March 28, 2014
We Need an Act of Congress to Get More Women In Congress, USA

One of the big headlines for the 2012 elections was the historic number of women elected to state and national offices. New Hampshire became the first state to elect an all women congressional delegation and a woman governor. The U.S.

March 27, 2014
Indonesian Women Marginalized at the Polls Too

“Men are from Mars and women are from Venus” may have been the title of a best-selling book, but it also emphasizes how women have always been depicted differently to men.

March 21, 2014
AP Interview: Egyptian fights for women's equality

A year ago, Egyptian politician and women's rights activist Mervat Tallawy defied the Muslim Brotherhood to spearhead the adoption of a U.N. blueprint to combat violence against women.

March 20, 2014
Women's participation in upcoming elections in Afghanistan essential: UN envoy

Women's participation in the upcoming elections in Afghanistan is essential to ensure that the process is inclusive and credible.

March 18, 2014
114, and raring to vote in Kerala, India

If what she and her family claims and what her voter identity card shows is true, she is 114.

March 17, 2014
Good number of women contested in previous elections, India

As many as 556 women contested from various national and regional parties during the 2009 general elections for the 15th Lok Sabha. Out of them 134 contested from the national parties, 27 state parties, 188 from registered parties (unrecognized) and 207 independents. 

March 17, 2014
Pacific countries still low for gender equality in politics

More work needs to be done post-elections in the Pacific to ensure Pacific countries do not remain at the bottom globally for gender equality in politics.

Increasing Women’s Political Participation Through Effective Training Programs

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March 17, 2014

Increasing Women’s Political Participation Through Effective Training Programs

Increasing Women’s Political Participation Through Effective Training Programs: Aguide to best practices and lessons learned.

Increasing Women’s Political Participation Through Effective Training Programs: Aguide to best practices and lessons learned.

Equality in Politics: An Overview of Key Findings

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March 17, 2014

Equality in Politics: An Overview of Key Findings

6 key findings on obstacles to women in politics based on a an Inter-parlimentary Union survey of Women and Men in Parliaments

6 key findings on obstacles to women in politics based on a an Inter-parlimentary Union survey of Women and Men in Parliaments