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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

February 14, 2013
Egypt: Egyptian women seek broader political role

Human rights activists and civil society organisations continue to seek stronger political representation for Egyptian women in parliament, ahead of elections for the lower house of the legislative authority this year.

February 14, 2013
Cambodia:Women's political representation still low in Cambodia

Boosting female political representation at July’s national election was the topic of a round-table discussion attended by dozens of political-party representatives, though none from the ruling party, in Phnom Penh yesterday.

February 14, 2013
Bangladesh: Ensure one-third seats for women in parliament

Members of Bangladesh Mahila Parishad (BMP), a women's rights organisation, yesterday demanded that the government ensure one-third of the parliamentary seats for women through direct elections.

February 13, 2013
Kenya: Martha Karua - I Am Going to Be the Next President

The detractors' script reads Martha Karua is a intransigent, tough, hard, mean lady and we saw this in the lead up to the coalition government and she has tried to soften her stand by wearing African prints, by going into studios to perform with rap musicians, by speaking in Kiswahili all

February 5, 2013
UN Women:Asia-Pacific calls for urgent increase to low participation of women in politics

In one of the regions with the lowest number of women in politics, both governmental and non-governmental leaders met in Beijing for the first “Asia-Pacific Workshop on Promoting and Monitoring Women’s Political Participation.”

February 5, 2013
Have your say: How do we get more women involved in politics in Canada?

Yet just like the early weeks of a new hockey season, there’s still a long way to go to achieve true gender parity in Canadian politics.

NDI & UNDP: Empowering Women for Stronger Political Parties: A Good Practices Guide to Promote Women's Political Participation

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January 28, 2013

NDI & UNDP: Empowering Women for Stronger Political Parties: A Good Practices Guide to Promote Women's Political Participation

January 25, 2013
Women, representation, and politics in Egypt

Tomorrow is the second anniversary of Egypt’s revolution, an occasion likely to attract widespread reflection, and no doubt some protests.

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