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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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Will more women be elected into senior political roles in Nigeria? | Inside Story

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February 22, 2023

Will more women be elected into senior political roles in Nigeria? | Inside Story

One female candidate in the conservative north is raising expectations she could become Nigeria's first elected state governor.

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One female candidate in the conservative north is raising expectations she could become Nigeria's first elected state governor.

February 22, 2023
Nigeria election: Women denounce poor political representation

Half of Nigeria’s population are women, but only 4 percent were elected in the 2019 election. Will the 2023 election be any different?

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Women's Political Participation in Jordan: Barriers, opportunities and gender sensitivity of select political institutions

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February 10, 2023

Women's Political Participation in Jordan: Barriers, opportunities and gender sensitivity of select political institutions

A core component of the three-year regional OECD-MENA Transition Fund project on “Promoting women’s participation in parliaments and policy-making,” is conducting a country-based, peer-reviewed assessment of the existing opportunities and current cha

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A core component of the three-year regional OECD-MENA Transition Fund project on “Promoting women’s participation in parliaments and policy-making,” is conducting a country-based, peer-reviewed assessment of the existing opportunities and current cha

February 6, 2023
Nepal: Landmark bill to boost women candidacy in polls

Election Commission is drafting a bill to increase women’s candidacy in all three tiers of government by a third.

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February 6, 2023
Harassment of women in politics on the rise in Sri Lanka

Election monitors and activists express concern that digital harassment of female politicians will increase when the local council elections campaign gets into full swing in the coming weeks.

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Haunted by threats and intimidation, women candidates are first victims of Tunisia’s elections

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February 1, 2023

Haunted by threats and intimidation, women candidates are first victims of Tunisia’s elections

“During the election campaign, a new phase of pressure and harassment began, because accepting my candidacy alongside a group of men had angered them, or at least some of them, and also perhaps frightened them, because the idea of a woman winning in

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“During the election campaign, a new phase of pressure and harassment began, because accepting my candidacy alongside a group of men had angered them, or at least some of them, and also perhaps frightened them, because the idea of a woman winning in

A women casts her ballot in the 2018 general elections in Freetown. ISSOUF SANOGO / AFP
January 30, 2023
Sierra Leone opens door for more women in parliament

A new law in Sierra Leone will ensure that at least 30% of parliamentarians are women and impose similar quotas in other institutions, including government, local councils, the diplomatic corps and the civil service.

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Survey : Women Political Activist’s Participation in Politics in Cambodia

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January 25, 2023

Survey : Women Political Activist’s Participation in Politics in Cambodia

Cambodian women remain to face different forms of discrimination and violence against them in their political participation and interests; it is a serious issue although their political rights and participation are fully guaranteed by the Cambodian Constitution and the International Convention on

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Cambodian women remain to face different forms of discrimination and violence against them in their political participation and interests; it is a serious issue although their political rights and participation are fully guaranteed by the Cambodian Constitution and the International Convention on

January 23, 2023
Cameroon activists push gender parity for Senate elections

MAROUA, CAMEROON — Activists in Cameroon are urging more women candidates to enter races for Senate seats before a January 28 deadline. Only 26 members of Cameroon's 100-member senate are women, a number advocates want to see doubled.

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