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
On Tuesday, Hina Rabbani Khar became the first woman and the youngest parliamentarian ever in Pakistan's history to hold the post of Foreign Minister.
Does this mean that we start cheering? No.
After six prime ministers in six years of sometimes bloody political upheaval, Thais might be excused for shrugging their shoulders about voting in number seven. But this time there's one big difference.
The Election Commission on Monday ordered special arrangements for women voters in upcoming Uttar Pradesh elections on February 11.
Myanmar pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi has registered her candidacy for an April by-election, as her opposition party comes full circle after being politically ostracized for two decades.
For the first time in the history of Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC), the number of women corporators is higher than men.
Women were restricted to cast their votes in Mianwali constituency for by-elections on six National Assembly (NA) seats and four seats of the provincial assemblies.
Voters in Uttar Pradesh set an all-time record in polling percentage, with officials saying about 60 percent of its 127 million electorate exercised their franchise in the staggered polling that began Feb 8 and ended Saturday.
The draft electoral rolls of 2012 indicated a fall in the numbers of registered female voters, said the Pattan Development Organisation report on Thursday.
Hong Kong Chief Executive-Elect Leung Chun-ying plans to bar mainland Chinese women from giving birth in the city next year after an influx of mothers-to-be strained resources and stoked public discontent.