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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

August 10, 2012
Vanuatu: A group of women candidates prepares for Vanuatu's election

It's less than two months to Vanuatu's general elections, and 18 women have shown their interest to stand as candidates.

August 6, 2012
UNDP: Consultant to support development of a gender policy for the INEC in Nigeria
Location : Abuja, NIGERIA
Application Deadline : 08-Aug-12
Type of Contract :
August 6, 2012
Papua New Guinea: Third woman wins seat in PNG’s parliament

Papua New Guinea has three female MPs after Julie Soso won the Eastern Highlands Regional seat in the general election.

Ms Soso becomes PNG’s first woman MP from the Highlands Region and the second ever female governor.

July 23, 2012
Papua New Guinea: Women win seats in PNG's Parliament

Delilah Gore and Loujaya Toni, who represent two different political parties, succeeded despite widespread opinions that no woman would win a seat in this year's election.

July 23, 2012
Pakistan: Men surpass women on new electoral rolls

Despite constituting 52% of the country’s population, the number of female registered voters is once again far less than men in the new computerised electoral rolls, according to a report provided by the acting chief election commissioner (CEC).

July 19, 2012
Libya: Marginal Victory for Women in Libya’s GNC Elections

Yesterday, the preliminary results for Libya’s General National Congress (GNC) elections showed that women had acquired 33 out of the 200 available seats in the GNC. This means that women only make up 16.5% of the governing body that will replace Libya’s National Transitional Council (NTC).