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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

August 24, 2013
Wives of Ogun indigenes to contest elections in 2015, Nigeria

The women are mostly non-Ogun indigenes.

A group of women in Ogun West senatorial district of Ogun State under the banner of ‘Yewa Wives in Diaspora’ said on Saturday that they would contest for key positions in the next political dispensation in the state.

August 24, 2013
Changing trends: Edging out old-timers, female politicians take their seats, Pakistan
KARACHI:The major-league of political parties today might paint a picture of male leadership but the by-elections in Sindh on Thursday, in which Pakistan Peoples Party’s Shazia Atta Marri and Shamsun Nisa Memon won from Sanghar and Thatta, proved that women in politics should not b
August 22, 2013
Australian Women in Politics: Teresa Gambaro, Federal Member for Brisbane

Liberal MP Teresa Gambaro learnt what it meant to have guts long before she went into politics. Her parents, who immigrated to Australia from Italy after World War II, ran a small fish store in Petrie Terrace, an inner-city suburb of Brisbane.

August 21, 2013
Australian Women in Politics: Kelly O’Dwyer, Federal Member for Higgins

The key message conveyed in Kelly O’Dwyer’s maiden speech in parliament was that of aspiration.

August 21, 2013
Swazi Chiefs Shut Women Out of Parliament, Swaziland

Archaic and chauvinistic practices are being used to prevent Swazi women from taking part in the upcoming primary elections, despite the country having a constitution that guarantees their rights, says political analyst Dr. Sikelela Dlamini.

August 21, 2013
Historic All-Woman Race For Mayor of Paris

Four women, one seat. So far, the 2014 mayoral election in Paris is a single-sex contest.

August 20, 2013
473 women candidates running in municipal elections, Jordan

Some 473 women are running along with 2,333 male candidates in the municipal elections due to be held on August 27 in the Kingdom, according to Secretary General of the Jordanian National Commission for Women Asma Khader.

August 20, 2013
Rwanda: Over 400 to Compete for 80 Parliamentary Seats

The National Electoral Commission (NEC) yesterday released the final list of candidates who will run in the September 16 parliamentary elections, exactly a week ahead of the campaign trail.

August 20, 2013
The women candidates we need, USA

“Just lunch, or is it Campaign 2016 just getting started?” one pundit breathlessly asks of a meal between President Obama and his former secretary