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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 17, 2013
Sonia Gandhi holds rally in Mizoram, lures youth and women voters

Congress president Sonia Gandhi sought to lure voters at a rally in Mizoram's Lunglei town on Monday with the prospect of joint sharing on a 50-50 basis the profits from oil and natural gas proceeds from the state.

November 16, 2013
What do we look for in women’s political representation?

There’s something I need to get off my chest. It’s been weighing on me, and I want to come clean before the next election cycle: I didn’t vote for Hillary Clinton in the 2008 primary.

November 15, 2013
Rwanda: Women Leaders Elect New Representatives to Council

The National Women Council (NWC) has elected two new members to its board.

Beatrice Mukasine and Liberatha Kakuze were elected to the council executive for a five-year term during a general assembly on Thursday at Nyandungu in Kigali.

November 15, 2013
Chile's election: A tale of two daughters

Chile holds a presidential election on Sunday and both frontrunners are women - the socialist Michelle Bachelet and her right-wing rival Evelyn Matthei.

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.