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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

January 16, 2013
The Guardian: Hillary Clinton: Will she run for president in 2016?

Photo: Many expect Hillary Clinton to make a bid for the White House in 2016, but she could face some major hurdles. Photographer: Elise Amendola/AP

December 26, 2012
South Korea: Why Madam president in South Korea may not be gender game changer

Looking at Park's future presidency from afar without considering its historical and social context, it is rather tempting to celebrate it as a sign

December 26, 2012
South Korea: Park Geun-Hye adds to Asian women's rise to power

South Korea's president-elect Park Geun-Hye is joining a long list of Asian women whose rise to power has, to varying degrees, been founded on the political legacy of a male sibling, father or husband.

December 20, 2012
South Korea: Park Wins S. Korean Presidency, First Female Leader

Park Geun Hye was elected president of South Korea, becoming the first woman to lead Asia’s fourth- biggest economy more than 30 years after her father’s rule as dictator ended with his assassination.

December 20, 2012
South Korea: Park Geun-hye claims South Korea presidential victory

Conservative candidate Park Geun-hye claimed victory Wednesday in South Korea's presidential election, a result that will make her the country's first woman president.

December 18, 2012
Japan: Women and Activists Lament Japan’s Election Outcome

The return to power of Japan’s conservative and hard-line Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) on Sunday indicates that voters traded urgently needed social and environmental reforms for traditional male-led leadership, according to analysts here.

December 18, 2012
South Korea: S. Korea's first woman president?

If Park Geun-Hye is elected South Korea's first-ever woman president on Wednesday, she will lead a country that is ranked below the likes of Suriname and the United Arab Emirates in gender equality.

December 12, 2012
Ghana: More Women Go To Parliament

Ghana’s next Parliament is set to have the highest number of female representation for the first time since the onset of the Fourth Republic.

December 5, 2012
Ghana: Women and Multi-Party Politics: An Eye on Election 2012

One Hundred and thirty three women are running in 27 out of the 275 constituencies in Ghana’s Parliamentary race this year. This number is relatively small compared to their male counterparts who number up to one thousand three hundred and thirty two.