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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

March 7, 2013
India's 10 most powerful female politicians

Politics for long has been a bastion of males and it’s not very easy for any woman to make her presence felt in Indian political arena.

In a country like India, it becomes even more difficult for a female politician as caste, creed and religion play decisive role in Indian politics.

March 7, 2013
Gambia: Women and Politics

In The Gambia, the many and varied reports have over and over highlighted the low participation of women in politics. This is of great concern despite the fact that, here in The Gambia, women have over the years contributed, and continue to do so, in key decision-making processes.

March 7, 2013
Failing to get the vote: Liberian women and political participation

This paper discusses Liberian women’s access to formal political influence and representation in the bicameral legislature.

March 6, 2013
Southeast Asia: Women politicians call for increased participation

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.

March 6, 2013
More Women Needed in Chinese Politics

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.

March 5, 2013
Women's Political Participation in Libya: Quotas as a Key Strategy for States in Transition

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.

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.

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.

March 4, 2013
Scotland: Report shows how politics is dominated by males and how the number of Scottish women elected has decreased

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.

March 1, 2013
Kenya: Is Kenya’s new constitution helping or hindering women’s political participation?

Kenyans head to the polls on Monday and the country is cove