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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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Failing to get the vote: Liberian women and political participation

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Failing to get the vote: Liberian women and political participation

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This paper discusses Liberian women’s access to formal political influence and representation in the bicameral legislature. Even if women are visible and powerful in Liberian politics, their participation is dependent on government appointments rather than the will of the voters.

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This paper discusses Liberian women’s access to formal political influence and representation in the bicameral legislature. Even if women are visible and powerful in Liberian politics, their participation is dependent on government appointments rather than the will of the voters.

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Southeast Asia: Women politicians call for increased participation

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Southeast Asia: Women politicians call for increased participation

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As many as 14 women politicians from Indonesia, Malaysia, Cambodia, the Philippines and Timor Leste called for bigger and better female political representation and participation in Southeast Asia. The call was made during the regional Women’s Leadership Forum Promoting Women’s Representation in Southeast Asia held in Kuta over the weekend.

(Source: The Jakarta Post)

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As many as 14 women politicians from Indonesia, Malaysia, Cambodia, the Philippines and Timor Leste called for bigger and better female political representation and participation in Southeast Asia. The call was made during the regional Women’s Leadership Forum Promoting Women’s Representation in Southeast Asia held in Kuta over the weekend.

(Source: The Jakarta Post)

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More Women Needed in Chinese Politics

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More Women Needed in Chinese Politics

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Despite the fact that Fu Ying, vice minister of foreign affairs, recently became China's first female spokesperson for the 12th National People's Congress (NPC), Chinese women’s political participation still lags behind. Out of the 2,987 NPC deputies, only 699 are women, putting the ratio out of proportion to China’s sex ratio at birth.

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Despite the fact that Fu Ying, vice minister of foreign affairs, recently became China's first female spokesperson for the 12th National People's Congress (NPC), Chinese women’s political participation still lags behind. Out of the 2,987 NPC deputies, only 699 are women, putting the ratio out of proportion to China’s sex ratio at birth.

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Women's Political Participation in Libya: Quotas as a Key Strategy for States in Transition

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Women's Political Participation in Libya: Quotas as a Key Strategy for States in Transition

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NDI’s ongoing qualitative research revealed that while Libyans were broadly supportive of women playing roles in public life, there was significant disagreement over what type of engagement is best-suited to women. Some participants in a study conducted in November 2011 were uncomfortable with women playing a leading role in politics and thought high-level positions were inappropriate or would conflict with women’s responsibilities to their families.

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NDI’s ongoing qualitative research revealed that while Libyans were broadly supportive of women playing roles in public life, there was significant disagreement over what type of engagement is best-suited to women. Some participants in a study conducted in November 2011 were uncomfortable with women playing a leading role in politics and thought high-level positions were inappropriate or would conflict with women’s responsibilities to their families.

Emerging Voices: Young Women in Lebanese Politics

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March 5, 2013

Emerging Voices: Young Women in Lebanese Politics

Although Lebanon is known in the Middle East for its relative political openness and for the degree of freedom Lebanese women enjoy, it paradoxically has one of the lowest rates of women’s political engagement in the region.

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Although Lebanon is known in the Middle East for its relative political openness and for the degree of freedom Lebanese women enjoy, it paradoxically has one of the lowest rates of women’s political engagement in the region.

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Scotland: Report shows how politics is dominated by males and how the number of Scottish women elected has decreased

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Scotland: Report shows how politics is dominated by males and how the number of Scottish women elected has decreased

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IN 1999, Scotland had 37 per cent female MSPs, which rose to 40 per cent in 2003 but there was drop to 33 per cent in 2007 and then a tiny rise to 35 per cent in 2011.

(Read article at: Daily Record)

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IN 1999, Scotland had 37 per cent female MSPs, which rose to 40 per cent in 2003 but there was drop to 33 per cent in 2007 and then a tiny rise to 35 per cent in 2011.

(Read article at: Daily Record)

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Kenya: Is Kenya’s new constitution helping or hindering women’s political participation?

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Kenya: Is Kenya’s new constitution helping or hindering women’s political participation?

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Kenyans head to the polls on Monday and the country is covered in campaign posters vying for their attention. Nairobi’s malls, stalls, trees and speed bumps have been plastered with candidates’ faces. Vast billboards tower over the country’s newly registered electorate promising peace, jobs, progress and change.

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Kenyans head to the polls on Monday and the country is covered in campaign posters vying for their attention. Nairobi’s malls, stalls, trees and speed bumps have been plastered with candidates’ faces. Vast billboards tower over the country’s newly registered electorate promising peace, jobs, progress and change.

Analysis: Cambodian Commune/Sangkat Council Election 2012

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March 1, 2013

Analysis: Cambodian Commune/Sangkat Council Election 2012

An analysis of data and views on Cambodian women's political participation, especially during the 3rd Mandate Commune/Sangkat Council elections in 2012.

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An analysis of data and views on Cambodian women's political participation, especially during the 3rd Mandate Commune/Sangkat Council elections in 2012.

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China: Bright Future for Chinese Women's Political Participation

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China: Bright Future for Chinese Women's Political Participation

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The annual sessions of the National People's Congress (NPC) will open on March 5, 2013, and statistics show that the number of female deputies has risen to 699, accounting for 23.4 percent of all deputies, which is nearly 2.1 percent higher than the previous year.

(Read full article at: All-China Women's Forum)

 

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The annual sessions of the National People's Congress (NPC) will open on March 5, 2013, and statistics show that the number of female deputies has risen to 699, accounting for 23.4 percent of all deputies, which is nearly 2.1 percent higher than the previous year.

(Read full article at: All-China Women's Forum)

 

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