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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

NDI Ukraine survey on Women's political Participation

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April 25, 2013

NDI Ukraine survey on Women's political Participation

Public Perceptions of the 2012 Elections & Women’s Role in Politics and Government 

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Public Perceptions of the 2012 Elections & Women’s Role in Politics and Government 

April 25, 2013
Yemen women divided over rights fight

Before Yemen's unification and the bloody civil war that followed, women in the southern port city of Aden say they were educated professionals with rights not experienced by those in the conservative north. 

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April 25, 2013
Nigeria: Jonathan Promises Women More Than 35 Per Cent of Political Position

President Goodluck Jonathan has promised to give Nigerian women more than the 35 per cent affirmative action they agitated for, consid

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April 25, 2013
A party of, by, for women in Banglore, India

The failure of existing political parties to fulfill their promise of 33% quota for women in state legislatures and parliament has forced a group of city’s women to face the issue head on by floating a party for wo

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April 24, 2013
Obscene pamphlets target DAP’s woman candidate, Malaysia

As the contest between MCA and DAP for the Kulai parliamentary seat heats up, members of the public have been receiving pamphlets depicting a woman MP deserting her constituents to nurse her baby.

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April 24, 2013
Field women candidates: parties urged, Zimbabwe

Political parties have been urged to field more women candidates in the forthcoming elections if Zimbabwe is to realise gender equity and

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April 22, 2013
Number of Women Candidates is Not Rising, Pakistan

Despite the welcome addition of a woman candidate contesting independently from Bajaur Agency, the overall number of women candidates contesting on general seats of the National Assembly (NA) has stayed much the same since the 2002 election.

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April 19, 2013
Merkel quashes revolt over female exec quota, Germany

German Chancellor Angela Merkel's coalition defeated an election-year opposition bid Thursday to set a quota for female board members in a vote that exposed a party rift and forced her

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