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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

November 15, 2013
Percentage of women in Parliament better than a decade ago: Low Yen Ling

The percentage of women in Singapore's Parliament is better compared to a decade ago and it is more important to anchor political representation on meritocracy rather than impose gender quotas, Parliamentary Secretary for Ministry of Social and Family Development Low Yen Ling said on Tuesday.

November 15, 2013
Westminster has enough women, say 40% of men

A poll published today suggests that almost 40 per cent of men in the UK think that there are enough women in Parliament.

November 14, 2013
Helen Clark:Speech at the International Conference 'Celebrating the Centenary of Women’s Right to Vote in Norway'

Keynote Speech by Helen Clark on
The Effect of the Global Financial Crisis on Women
At the International Conference
Celebrating the Centenary of Women’s Right to Vote in Norway
Oslo, Norway

November 14, 2013
Swaziland Has the Lowest Number of Women in Parliament

Following the elections and recent government appointments made by King Mswati and members of parliament (MPs), Swaziland has hit rock bottom in women's representation in government, just at the time when the country should be giving its last push for gender equality before 2015.

November 13, 2013
TANZANIA: 'Women Likely to Win Top Political Posts'

WOMEN in the country are likely to win overwhelming voters' confidence in the coming General Elections if the findings of a recent survey are anything to go by.

November 12, 2013
Female Voter Registration Lags in Helmand, Afghanistan

Getting Afghan women voter cards has proven a challenge for the Independent Election Commission (IEC), which has made female turnout a top priority this election cycle, but southern Helmand province is said to be an especially challenging environment due to strict traditional values and the l

November 10, 2013
Backward States put up more women candidates than developed States, India

While women remain under-represented in elections, an interesting new dimension has emerged from the first analysis of 50 years of Assembly election data. India’s backward States systematically put up more female candidates than the developed southern States.

November 2, 2013
Betsy Hodges: City Councilperson and Mayoral Candidate

We are so fortunate to have been able to interview Betsy Hodges, who is currently running for Mayor of Minneapolis.

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