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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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Presidential and Parliamentary elections in Madagascar

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Presidential and Parliamentary elections in Madagascar

Presidential and parliamentary elections will be held in Madagascar next August 23 after several changes in the date due to political instability and lack of consensus among different political par

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August 1, 2013
Mali Candidates Condemn Partial Election Results, Call for Run-Off

Malians are still waiting for the government to announce full provisional results from Sunday's presidential poll. The presidency says the announcement has been delayed until Friday, the day by law when the results are due.

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July 31, 2013
Initiative in Malaysia to set a 30 percent quota for women in local government

The All Women Action Society (Awam) welcomes the state of Selangor's initiative to make it compulsory to have 30 percent of members of the local council be women, from the Jan 1, 2014.

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July 30, 2013
We need to encourage women to run for election - Sen. Averil Power, Ireland

In Ireland, the rate of female participation in politics is one of the lowest in Europe

Just 15 per cent of Dail members are women, which ranks 5th in Europe, according to European Parliament figures collected after the general election in 2011. 

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July 30, 2013
Women's Safety A Concern For Zimbabwe Elections

 I moved away from Zimbabwe almost 15 years ago. In the early years I inhaled all the news I could; watching in shock as my home country descended into crisis.

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July 30, 2013
India: Major political parties still shy of fielding women

India may boast a woman President, Prime Minister and Speaker, but when it comes to selecting candidates, key political parties still have a long way to go.

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July 29, 2013
Women in politics: The Serbia you have not heard of

Serbia, an aspiring European Union member, succeeded in increasing the percentage of women in its Parliament substantially within the last year.

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July 29, 2013
USA: Why are there so few women in the Michigan legislature?

Women are outnumbered in state legislatures around the country, particularly in Michigan, where female representation is at its lowest point in more than two decades.

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