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Elections

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

Stanford Course on Democratic Development

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March 20, 2013

Stanford Course on Democratic Development

Democratic Development is intended as a broad, introductory survey of the political, social, cultural, economic, institutional, and international factors that foster or obstruct the development, and consolidation, of democracy.

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Democratic Development is intended as a broad, introductory survey of the political, social, cultural, economic, institutional, and international factors that foster or obstruct the development, and consolidation, of democracy.

March 20, 2013
Kenya: Five Per Cent Women MPs to Represent Kenyan Women Aspirations

"So far according to our estimates, it is about seven per cent of women for the senate, seven per cent for the county assembly, and on

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March 18, 2013
International Women’s Day with elected women of the General National Congress, Libya

On the occasion of the anniversary of the International Day to End Violence against Women, NDI launched its program to strengthen the capacity of   legislators and representatives, and help women establish cross-party mechanisms for collaboration, platforms for civil soci

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March 18, 2013
Women Crucial to Cleaner Politics in Indonesia, Politicians and Experts Say

While several female politicians, including former legislator Angelina Sondakh, have been embroiled in graft cases recently, politicians and experts are upbeat that an increased number of women in the House of Representatives will boost the legislature’s performance and standing. 

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March 15, 2013
BGIPU hosting landmark visit of the Speaker of the Shura Council of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

The Chairman of the British Group Inter-Parliamentary Union (BGIPU), Mr Robert Walter

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March 15, 2013
More women entering regional politics, Balkans

Even though Balkan countries are shy of the European average when it comes to women in politics, their presence in public life is growing.

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March 14, 2013
We Must Take Positive Lessons From Kenya's WOMEN ONLY Elections, Ghana

As we join the rest of the world in commemorating today, 8th March, as International Women’s Day, we wish to use this occasion to address the unacceptable issue of very low representation of women in governance and decision-making in Ghana and many other African countries and commend the great st

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March 14, 2013
Women in Politics, Haiti far ahead of the OAS countries

During the First Ordinary Session of the Council of the Inter-American Commission of Women (CIM), which was held March 1, at the headquarters of the Organization of American States (OAS) in Washington, DC, around the theme "Women's rights: From Law to Practice" ; Marie Yanick Mézile, Haiti's Mini

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March 14, 2013
Mixed feeling over reserved seats for women in Parliament, Zimbabwe

“I do not think that the constitution will improve or encourage women to participate in politics. In terms of the population we are more than men. Women are the ones who are voting men into power. We have women who are in Parliament who managed to beat their male counterparts [in elections].

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