Skip to main content

Elections

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

Senegal leads way on women legislators but challenges ahead

Back
September 12, 2022

Senegal leads way on women legislators but challenges ahead

Senegal will break new ground Monday as West Africa's largest-ever proportion of women MPs take their seats in a newly elected legislature, stirring hopes of change in a country where patriarchal laws and attitudes are entrenched.

Print article
Aminata Touré, ancienne Première ministre du Sénégal et nouvelle députée, dans sa maison de Dakar, le 8 septembre 2022 afp.com - JOHN WESSELS

Senegal will break new ground Monday as West Africa's largest-ever proportion of women MPs take their seats in a newly elected legislature, stirring hopes of change in a country where patriarchal laws and attitudes are entrenched.

Telling women to "lean in" won’t get more of them in politics — the parties have left women behind

Back
September 12, 2022

Telling women to "lean in" won’t get more of them in politics — the parties have left women behind

Women lack confidence, doubt their qualifications and wait to be asked, say pundits. The narrative directs attention away from the real culprits.

Print article

Women lack confidence, doubt their qualifications and wait to be asked, say pundits. The narrative directs attention away from the real culprits.

Indonesia: More women in politics, please

Back
September 7, 2022

Indonesia: More women in politics, please

For the first time, Indonesia, dubbed the world’s third largest democracy, will hold the general elections — the presidential and legislative elections — and nationwide regional elections in the same year.

Print article

For the first time, Indonesia, dubbed the world’s third largest democracy, will hold the general elections — the presidential and legislative elections — and nationwide regional elections in the same year.

World News

India: Ex-MLA Bijimol opens up on trauma inflicted by anti-woman colleagues in CPI

Submitted by Editor on
Back

India: Ex-MLA Bijimol opens up on trauma inflicted by anti-woman colleagues in CPI

Source:

ES Bijimol, a three-time MLA of the Communist Party of India (CPI) has said she suffered moral attacks and degradation from her male colleagues for daring to contest in a male bastion.

The former legislator from Peermade in Kerala’s Idukki district put out a lengthy Facebook post on Thursday to share her bad experience. 

The other day, the CPI elected K Salimkumar as its Idukki district secretary, Bijimol, in her post, said she had also been nominated for the position.

Print article

ES Bijimol, a three-time MLA of the Communist Party of India (CPI) has said she suffered moral attacks and degradation from her male colleagues for daring to contest in a male bastion.

The former legislator from Peermade in Kerala’s Idukki district put out a lengthy Facebook post on Thursday to share her bad experience. 

The other day, the CPI elected K Salimkumar as its Idukki district secretary, Bijimol, in her post, said she had also been nominated for the position.

World News

Kuwait signs up 115 candidates for coming elections

Submitted by Editor on
Back

Kuwait signs up 115 candidates for coming elections

Source:

Kuwaitis to head to the polls on September 29 to elect next parliament after National Assembly was dissolved in June.

Kuwait's Interior Ministry has received more than 115 registrations from candidates before polls to elect the next parliament after more than a year of political tension between the National Assembly and government.

Print article

Kuwaitis to head to the polls on September 29 to elect next parliament after National Assembly was dissolved in June.

Kuwait's Interior Ministry has received more than 115 registrations from candidates before polls to elect the next parliament after more than a year of political tension between the National Assembly and government.

World News

Nigeria: UN seeks equitable media access for female politicians

Submitted by Editor on
Back

Nigeria: UN seeks equitable media access for female politicians

Source:

Ahead of the 2023 general elections, the United Nations has called on the media to ensure that female politicians are granted the same access as their male counterparts.

This was made known by the representative of the United Nations Women, Ms Beatrice Eyong, at a programme held for media executives in Lagos .

Print article

Ahead of the 2023 general elections, the United Nations has called on the media to ensure that female politicians are granted the same access as their male counterparts.

This was made known by the representative of the United Nations Women, Ms Beatrice Eyong, at a programme held for media executives in Lagos .

The double standards & unfair treatment meted out to female politicians

Back
August 31, 2022

The double standards & unfair treatment meted out to female politicians

The bitter truth is that gender injustice in politics is largely overlooked and has been normalised to the point where a woman preparing to start a career in politics should expect misogyny and sexism as by-products.

Print article

The bitter truth is that gender injustice in politics is largely overlooked and has been normalised to the point where a woman preparing to start a career in politics should expect misogyny and sexism as by-products.

Why don’t we see women as “electable”?

Back
August 31, 2022

Why don’t we see women as “electable”?

Journalist Ali Vitali covered female presidential candidates in 2020. Now she reflects on what got in their way.

Print article

Journalist Ali Vitali covered female presidential candidates in 2020. Now she reflects on what got in their way.

Subscribe to Elections

Upcoming Event:

Regional Dialogue on Advancing Transformative Gender Social Norms to Enhance Women and Youth Participation

The main purpose of the Regional Dialogue is to promote transformative gender norms by addressing the root causes of inequality and transforming the underlying social, legal, and economic structures…

Explore
Event Countdown
National Intergenerational Dialogue on Advancing Youth Participation and Representation in Leadership and Decision-Making
Explore
Strategies and tools to support women in public life against gender-based violence online and offline
Explore