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
Sohaila Zain el-Abideen, a Saudi women's rights activist, said that whatever was behind the government's announcement she believes women will become participants in the country's politics.
AMMAN: Nancy Bakir, the Jordanian Minister of Public Sector Reform, said yesterday that the Arab World should follow the example of Kuwait and study the Gulf state's democratic accomplishments and parliamentary elections.
The Democratic Party of Japan has promoted women and younger candidates who have not risen through traditional routes to power.The display of hyperactivity was deliberate, and not just because Ms. Kushibuchi is anxious to win every last vote she can.
Obligatory quotas for the number of women put forward for selection as a parliamentary candidate by each political party have been proposed. The conference on diversity issues was commissioned by the prime minister.
Sudan has extended the deadline for nominations in the first multi-party vote in 24 years after candidates said they did not have enough time to prepare.Elections would go ahead as scheduled on April 11, 2010.
Minister of Political Development noted that the election committee is reviewing several suggestions that were presented by civil society and the women’s movement, including increasing the women seats to 12 so that all governorates will be represented in the Lower House.
In a fresh attempt to curb money power in the elections, the law ministry has proposed that the government fund women and scheduled caste and tribe candidates of recognised political parties.
Here in Thailand, history was made on July 3 when the Pheu Thai Party’s landslide victory left Yingluck Shinawatra, a woman who had just recently entered politics, primed to become the country’s first female prime minister.
Experts on Gender Equality and Democracy have unreservedly supported Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings, the founder of the 31st December Women's Movement and now the increasingly popular presidential female candidate for the next 2012 elections, to raise Ghana furth