Skip to main content

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

September 17, 2013
First Lady Urges Women To Vie For Elective Positions In 2015, Nigeria

The First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, on Tuesday urged more Nigerian women to vie for elective positions in 2015.

September 17, 2013
Female Senate candidates press Democrats’ gender advantage, USA

The emergence of three female Democrats as competitive Senate candidates has party activists optimistic the 2014 election cycle will end with a record number of women in the upper chamber.

September 17, 2013
Women leading the way in Mackay politics, Australia

Tony Abbott's cabinet in Canberra is running short on girl power, but it's the sisters who continue to run the show in the Mackay region.

September 16, 2013
Egyptian state-run women's council calls for quota of women MPs

The National Council for Women called on the committee which is drafting Egypt’s constitution to include a quota for women in pa

September 15, 2013
Cameroon: Female Candidates, Media in Election Campaign Synergy

They rounded off a series of training workshops in Yaounde on September 14.

September 13, 2013
Cambodia's Women Call For Free And Fair Elections

“Free and Fair Elections in Cambodia”: Once a phrase commonly seen on banners in Phnom Penh, it has now taken to the streets.

September 11, 2013
Gender gap still wide in Russian politics

Russia is known for being a patriarchal country, but despite considerable barriers, some women leaders have managed to reach high levels in the political hierarchy.

The Road to substantive democracy: Women’s political participation in the Americas

Back
September 9, 2013

The Road to substantive democracy: Women’s political participation in the Americas

The democratic current witnessed in some countries of the Americas during the latter half ofthe 20th century, which led to the overthrow ofrepressive regimes, has brought aboutsignificant changesto the political and electoralsystems of the region. While there have been setbacks a
The democratic current witnessed in some countries of the Americas during the latter half ofthe 20th century, which led to the overthrow ofrepressive regimes, has brought aboutsignificant changesto the political and electoralsystems of the region. While there have been setbacks a

Albania’s 2009 Parliamentary Election: Monitoring the Implementation of Gender Quota and Women’s Participation

Back
September 9, 2013

Albania’s 2009 Parliamentary Election: Monitoring the Implementation of Gender Quota and Women’s Participation

The 2009 election was the first to take place after the adoption of a quota for women’s participation in political life, and after the revisions to the Electoral Code approved in late 2008.
The 2009 election was the first to take place after the adoption of a quota for women’s participation in political life, and after the revisions to the Electoral Code approved in late 2008.