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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

A Golden Age for Women's Participation in Ghana?

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March 16, 2009

A Golden Age for Women's Participation in Ghana?

This paper is a comparative commentary on the situation of women’s political leadership in Ghana. The paper highlights progress made in the country, draws attention to areas of retrogression and proposes some immediate strategies for greater representation of women in political leadership.

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This paper is a comparative commentary on the situation of women’s political leadership in Ghana. The paper highlights progress made in the country, draws attention to areas of retrogression and proposes some immediate strategies for greater representation of women in political leadership.

Increasing Gender Justice in Democratic Governance

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February 27, 2009

Increasing Gender Justice in Democratic Governance

The document that is part of the magazine Maria Maria, presents women's political participation as one of the most important goals for UNIFEM even though women's participation continues to be extremely limited around the world.

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The document that is part of the magazine Maria Maria, presents women's political participation as one of the most important goals for UNIFEM even though women's participation continues to be extremely limited around the world.

Gender Mainstreaming in the Americas

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February 20, 2009

Gender Mainstreaming in the Americas

This consolidated response highlights some of the important aspects and examples of mainstreaming gender into legislative frameworks in the Americas.

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This consolidated response highlights some of the important aspects and examples of mainstreaming gender into legislative frameworks in the Americas.

Event

Women’s Participation in Local Governments

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January 23, 2009

Women’s Participation in Local Governments

This consolidated response analyzes current situation of women’s participation in local governments around the world and discusses the impact of women’s engagement in local politics.

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This consolidated response analyzes current situation of women’s participation in local governments around the world and discusses the impact of women’s engagement in local politics.

Financing Women Candidates in Muslim Countries

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January 23, 2009

Financing Women Candidates in Muslim Countries

This consolidated response highlights barriers faced by women in Muslim countries in funding their political campaigns and participating in public life.

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This consolidated response highlights barriers faced by women in Muslim countries in funding their political campaigns and participating in public life.

Commentaries and suggestions to the UN-INSTRAW tool for electoral systems

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December 4, 2008

Commentaries and suggestions to the UN-INSTRAW tool for electoral systems

This consolidated response in based on the commentaries and suggestions of an experts´ group about an analysis tool for electoral systems from a gender perspective elaborated by UN-INSTRAW.

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This consolidated response in based on the commentaries and suggestions of an experts´ group about an analysis tool for electoral systems from a gender perspective elaborated by UN-INSTRAW.

e-Discussions

Decentralization and Women's Political Participation

Submitted by iKNOW Politics on
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Decentralization and Women's Political Participation

SUMMARY OF DISCUSSION CIRCLE 2011:

The Discussion Circle on “Decentralization and Women's Political Participation” was initiated in 2008 and concluded in 2010.

The members discussed on the importance to empower and involve women in local government as decision makers, planners and managers to meet the challenges of sustainable human development.

This summary of the discussion circle is based on your contributions and we hope that if you find this interesting you would be interested in participating at other ongoing discussion circles. To read click here.

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SUMMARY OF DISCUSSION CIRCLE 2011:

The Discussion Circle on “Decentralization and Women's Political Participation” was initiated in 2008 and concluded in 2010.

The members discussed on the importance to empower and involve women in local government as decision makers, planners and managers to meet the challenges of sustainable human development.

This summary of the discussion circle is based on your contributions and we hope that if you find this interesting you would be interested in participating at other ongoing discussion circles. To read click here.

UNIFEM’s Gender Equality in Political Governance Programme in the Pacific – Moving Forward

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November 19, 2008

UNIFEM’s Gender Equality in Political Governance Programme in the Pacific – Moving Forward

Within two months after setting up office, the United Nations Development Fund for Women’s (UNIFEM) Gender Equality in Political Governance Programme (GEPG) in the Pacific has already started making waves.

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Within two months after setting up office, the United Nations Development Fund for Women’s (UNIFEM) Gender Equality in Political Governance Programme (GEPG) in the Pacific has already started making waves.

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