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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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Mongolia: Can New Electoral Law Help Women Enter Parliament?

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Mongolia: Can New Electoral Law Help Women Enter Parliament?

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Supported by recent revisions to Mongolia’s election law, a record number of women are on the ballot in parliamentary elections on June 28. They are seeking seats in what has traditionally been a male-dominated body. Of the 544 candidates running for the 76-seat parliament, 174 are women – well above a newly established 20-percent quota. But where their names appear on the lengthy ballot may be a determining factor in whether this becomes a breakthrough occasion.

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Supported by recent revisions to Mongolia’s election law, a record number of women are on the ballot in parliamentary elections on June 28. They are seeking seats in what has traditionally been a male-dominated body. Of the 544 candidates running for the 76-seat parliament, 174 are women – well above a newly established 20-percent quota. But where their names appear on the lengthy ballot may be a determining factor in whether this becomes a breakthrough occasion.

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Libya: Equal Participation of Women Vital for Building New Libya, Says UN Envoy

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Libya: Equal Participation of Women Vital for Building New Libya, Says UN Envoy

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The top United Nations envoy in Libya today stressed the importance of the equal participation of women in rebuilding the country, as he commended the number of women who have registered to vote and to stand for election in the upcoming legislative polls.

Some 2.7 million people in the North African nation have registered to vote for members of a new National Congress, which will be tasked with drafting a new constitution for Libya.

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The top United Nations envoy in Libya today stressed the importance of the equal participation of women in rebuilding the country, as he commended the number of women who have registered to vote and to stand for election in the upcoming legislative polls.

Some 2.7 million people in the North African nation have registered to vote for members of a new National Congress, which will be tasked with drafting a new constitution for Libya.

World News

MENA: Morsi Adviser: Female and Christian VPs in Egypt

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MENA: Morsi Adviser: Female and Christian VPs in Egypt

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There’s been a dramatic change of fate in Egypt: Mohamed Morsi was once a prisoner under President Hosni Mubarak. Now Morsi is president-elect of Egypt, at the very same time Mubarak is serving his sentence in the notorious Tora Prison. Now Egypt’s minorities wait to see how their fates will change – among them, Coptic Christians and women.

Tuesday, Morsi’s policy adviser, Ahmed Deif, told CNN’s Christiane Amanpour that to allay minority fears, Morsi will execute a strategy of “inclusiveness, inclusiveness, inclusiveness.”

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There’s been a dramatic change of fate in Egypt: Mohamed Morsi was once a prisoner under President Hosni Mubarak. Now Morsi is president-elect of Egypt, at the very same time Mubarak is serving his sentence in the notorious Tora Prison. Now Egypt’s minorities wait to see how their fates will change – among them, Coptic Christians and women.

Tuesday, Morsi’s policy adviser, Ahmed Deif, told CNN’s Christiane Amanpour that to allay minority fears, Morsi will execute a strategy of “inclusiveness, inclusiveness, inclusiveness.”

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Libya: National campaign to support women candidates

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Libya: National campaign to support women candidates

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In the lead-up to the forthcoming National Assembly elections on 7 July, female candidates will have the support of a national campaign entitled ‘My Voice for Her.’

The Libyan Women’s Union and Maan Nabneeha Movement have launched the national campaign under the supervision of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). ‘My Voice for Her’ will encourage and boost over 600 female candidates in the elections. It will also support and encourage women voters.

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In the lead-up to the forthcoming National Assembly elections on 7 July, female candidates will have the support of a national campaign entitled ‘My Voice for Her.’

The Libyan Women’s Union and Maan Nabneeha Movement have launched the national campaign under the supervision of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). ‘My Voice for Her’ will encourage and boost over 600 female candidates in the elections. It will also support and encourage women voters.

World News

She's young, blonde, polite and doesn't do party politics: just the guy for president in Iceland

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She's young, blonde, polite and doesn't do party politics: just the guy for president in Iceland

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The frontrunner for head of state believes she can move the new generation on, so why are young men and women her biggest critics?

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The frontrunner for head of state believes she can move the new generation on, so why are young men and women her biggest critics?

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Elections & Quotas

The right to vote and the right to stand for election are two fundamental tenets 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.

Julie Ballington

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Julie Ballington is the Policy Advisor on Political Participation in the Leadership and Governance Section at UN-Women.

Mona Lena Krook

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Mona Lena Krook is Assistant Professor of Political Science and Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies at Washington University in St. Louis. She is a Fellow at the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study and a Fellow in the Women and Public Policy Program at the John F.

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