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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

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Summer 2009 Election Management Institute: Best Practices in Election Management and Observation

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Summer 2009 Election Management Institute: Best Practices in Election Management and Observation

This program is intended to provide hands-on, practical training to improve and promote best practices in election management and observation.

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Report of Parallel NGO Electoral Campaign for Women Candidates in Slovenia

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June 11, 2009

Report of Parallel NGO Electoral Campaign for Women Candidates in Slovenia

Women’s Lobby in Slovenia took active part in the EWL 50-50 Campaign for the election of the European parliament in 2009. The Women’s Lobby of Slovenia decided to organize and lead so called parallel electoral campaign.

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Women’s Lobby in Slovenia took active part in the EWL 50-50 Campaign for the election of the European parliament in 2009. The Women’s Lobby of Slovenia decided to organize and lead so called parallel electoral campaign.

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Quick Entry Points to Women’s Empowerment and Gender Equality in Democratic Governance Clusters

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May 13, 2009

Quick Entry Points to Women’s Empowerment and Gender Equality in Democratic Governance Clusters

This paper explores some of most common questions on gender and develops a human rights-based approach to practical tools for democratic governance practitioners in terms of gender programming per Cluster.

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This paper explores some of most common questions on gender and develops a human rights-based approach to practical tools for democratic governance practitioners in terms of gender programming per Cluster.

Women’s Political Participation in Traditional and Conservative Societies

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April 1, 2009

Women’s Political Participation in Traditional and Conservative Societies

This consolidated response highlights types of positive action measures, advocacy campaigns, women’s movements, and educational opportunities that help women in traditional and conservative societies to overcome some of the barriers that they face in politics and public life.

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This consolidated response highlights types of positive action measures, advocacy campaigns, women’s movements, and educational opportunities that help women in traditional and conservative societies to overcome some of the barriers that they face in politics and public life.

Gender Quotas in African Countries

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April 1, 2009

Gender Quotas in African Countries

This consolidated response highlights various types of quotas adopted in African countries and provides details on the implementation of quotas under different electoral systems. The response also includes several annexes with data on quotas based on country and on quota type.

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This consolidated response highlights various types of quotas adopted in African countries and provides details on the implementation of quotas under different electoral systems. The response also includes several annexes with data on quotas based on country and on quota type.

Temporary Special Measures To Promote Gender Balance In Pacific Legislatures: A Guide to Options

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March 27, 2009

Temporary Special Measures To Promote Gender Balance In Pacific Legislatures: A Guide to Options

This guide provides practical recommendations and tools on how to promote women in parliaments in the Pacific region. It describes the use of special measures such as reserved seats and political party quotas, and special campaigning tools.

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This guide provides practical recommendations and tools on how to promote women in parliaments in the Pacific region. It describes the use of special measures such as reserved seats and political party quotas, and special campaigning tools.

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.

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