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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

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March 9, 2014
Electoral system and women’s representation in Nepal: need for reform?

International IDEA in collaboration with Demo Finland, UN Women and the Embassy of Finland organized a seminar on the Electoral System and Women’s Representation in Nepal: Need for Reform? on 4 March 2014 in Kathmandu.

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2nd Round of Presidential Elections in El Salvador

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2nd Round of Presidential Elections in El Salvador

El Salvador's left-wing presidential candidate, Salvador Sánchez Cerén, for the Farabundo Marti Front for National Liberation (FMLN), won 49 percent of the vote, just short of the majority needed t

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February 19, 2014
Four times more men than women among new voters, India

The political parties may be wooing women with their electoral promises; the latest voters' list shows a slide in the sex ratio in the enrolments done in the district. The sex ratio in the electoral rolls has declined from 913 females per 1,000 males in 2009 to 886 females in 2014.

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Poised to Run: Women’s Pathways to the State Legislatures

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February 12, 2014

Poised to Run: Women’s Pathways to the State Legislatures

Women legislators are more likely to say that they decided to seek elective office after receiving the suggestion to run, whereas men are more likely to say that the decision to run was entirely their idea.

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Women legislators are more likely to say that they decided to seek elective office after receiving the suggestion to run, whereas men are more likely to say that the decision to run was entirely their idea.

February 12, 2014
Solomon MP calls for reserved seats for women in national parliament

Solomon Islands Member of Parliament Hon. Milner Tozaka says he supports reserved seats for women in the national parliament and calls on the government to legislate the proposal before parliament dissolves in September 2014.

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February 11, 2014
In Nepal, Women Fight to Maintain Seats in the Constituent Assembly

Nepali women had much to be proud of as 172 of them were seated in the country’s newest Constituent Assembly on Jan. 22.

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