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
Iraqi political blocs and parliamentary committees announced that they will boycott parliament sessions in protest of “the marginalization of the role of women in political life, since no seats were allocated to women in the Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC).” [The nine-member commission, Iraq's sole electoral authority, has the power to ban candidates from participating in elections.]
Iraqi political blocs and parliamentary committees announced that they will boycott parliament sessions in protest of “the marginalization of the role of women in political life, since no seats were allocated to women in the Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC).” [The nine-member commission, Iraq's sole electoral authority, has the power to ban candidates from participating in elections.]
The 2012 elections in American Samoa will include the highest number of female candidates in the Territory’s history.
60 candidates are vying for the 20 House of Representatives seats.
And 10 of them are women, including former lawmaker Fiasili Haleck, veteran educator Dr Trudie Iuli Sala and well known business woman, Florence Saulo.
The 2012 elections in American Samoa will include the highest number of female candidates in the Territory’s history.
60 candidates are vying for the 20 House of Representatives seats.
And 10 of them are women, including former lawmaker Fiasili Haleck, veteran educator Dr Trudie Iuli Sala and well known business woman, Florence Saulo.
WOMEN in the Western Division have been encouraged to become more involved in the electoral process as the country prepares for the 2014 elections.
Opening a workshop in Lautoka yesterday, Commissioner Western Commander Joeli Cawaki highlighted the importance of women's participation in Fiji's road to democracy.
"Most women in the Western Division are generally not aware of the significance of their participation in the electoral process and to realise that they can contribute meaningfully towards the political development of our country," said Cdr Cawaki.
WOMEN in the Western Division have been encouraged to become more involved in the electoral process as the country prepares for the 2014 elections.
Opening a workshop in Lautoka yesterday, Commissioner Western Commander Joeli Cawaki highlighted the importance of women's participation in Fiji's road to democracy.
"Most women in the Western Division are generally not aware of the significance of their participation in the electoral process and to realise that they can contribute meaningfully towards the political development of our country," said Cdr Cawaki.
Water and Irrigation Minister Charity Ngilu launched her presidential bid on Sunday and pledged to focus on women and the youth empowerment if elected Kenya's fourth President in next year's General Elections.
Launching her bid on the Narc party at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre, the Kitui Central MP said she was confident of succeeding President Kibaki in her second attempt for the country's top job.
Ngilu said that the youth and women have adversely been affected by the economic policies that do not favour them.
Water and Irrigation Minister Charity Ngilu launched her presidential bid on Sunday and pledged to focus on women and the youth empowerment if elected Kenya's fourth President in next year's General Elections.
Launching her bid on the Narc party at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre, the Kitui Central MP said she was confident of succeeding President Kibaki in her second attempt for the country's top job.
Ngilu said that the youth and women have adversely been affected by the economic policies that do not favour them.
According to Begum, one of the most challenging issues for women is obtaining identity cards. It's estimated that all over the country, 10 million women don't have IDs. The share is particularly high with Pashtun women, where some 70 percent don't have IDs. "Nobody cares about women's identity cards," says Begum, and adds that women usually only come to the identity card office when they're pushed by men.
According to Begum, one of the most challenging issues for women is obtaining identity cards. It's estimated that all over the country, 10 million women don't have IDs. The share is particularly high with Pashtun women, where some 70 percent don't have IDs. "Nobody cares about women's identity cards," says Begum, and adds that women usually only come to the identity card office when they're pushed by men.
Women voters are particularly affected. The latest electoral rolls count 47.77 million men, compared with 36.59 million women — a significant discrepancy given that Pakistan’s male-to-female ratio is 1.06. Although it is skewed in men’s favor, the ratio alone does not account for the gender difference in the electoral rolls (especially because there are even fewer girls than boys under voting age: the male-to-female ratio is 1.07 for Pakistanis between the ages of 15 and 64). As it is, almost 10 million Pakistani women eligible to vote remain unaccounted for.
Women voters are particularly affected. The latest electoral rolls count 47.77 million men, compared with 36.59 million women — a significant discrepancy given that Pakistan’s male-to-female ratio is 1.06. Although it is skewed in men’s favor, the ratio alone does not account for the gender difference in the electoral rolls (especially because there are even fewer girls than boys under voting age: the male-to-female ratio is 1.07 for Pakistanis between the ages of 15 and 64). As it is, almost 10 million Pakistani women eligible to vote remain unaccounted for.
Kenyan’s new constitution is not only a historic landmark for Kenya, but a milestone in the East African women’s rights movement.
It has opened the widest space for women’s participation in public decision making, more so through Article 27, Kenya has joined its sister countries of East Africa in the use of constitutional quotas to advance women’s political participation.
Kenyan’s new constitution is not only a historic landmark for Kenya, but a milestone in the East African women’s rights movement.
It has opened the widest space for women’s participation in public decision making, more so through Article 27, Kenya has joined its sister countries of East Africa in the use of constitutional quotas to advance women’s political participation.