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

Harassment of female candidates a growing issue in Japanese politics

Back
July 7, 2022

Harassment of female candidates a growing issue in Japanese politics

In 2019, Aiko Usui was 28 years old and running for a seat in a ward assembly election in Tokyo. But instead of being treated as an aspiring politician by some of the voters she was canvassing, she instead felt like a pop idol being targeted for abuse.

In 2019, Aiko Usui was 28 years old and running for a seat in a ward assembly election in Tokyo. But instead of being treated as an aspiring politician by some of the voters she was canvassing, she instead felt like a pop idol being targeted for abuse.

July 7, 2022
Record women, LGBTQ election hopefuls run to shake up Japan politics

TOKYO - A record number of both women and LGBTQ candidates are campaigning to win over voters in the House of Councillors election on Sunday and potentially bring change to Japan's male-dominated political landscape.

Japan still far from breaking free of male-dominated politics

Back
July 7, 2022

Japan still far from breaking free of male-dominated politics

It's been four years since the gender parity law was passed in Japan, with an aim of fielding an equal number of female and male candidates in elections. Still, the male-dominated political environment has not changed.

It's been four years since the gender parity law was passed in Japan, with an aim of fielding an equal number of female and male candidates in elections. Still, the male-dominated political environment has not changed.

“We copy it from them”: How campus politics sets scene for big man politics in Nigeria

Back
July 6, 2022

“We copy it from them”: How campus politics sets scene for big man politics in Nigeria

Nigeria has one of the lowest rates of female political representation in the world. This culture is established and reinforced early.

Nigeria has one of the lowest rates of female political representation in the world. This culture is established and reinforced early.

I’m not sexist, other voters are

Back
July 6, 2022

I’m not sexist, other voters are

During the 2020 caucus cycle, I heard it a lot, the refrain of the cautious Democratic voter. I want to vote for her, but I don’t think she can win. It wasn’t, people reasoned, because they were sexist, but they worried that America was.

During the 2020 caucus cycle, I heard it a lot, the refrain of the cautious Democratic voter. I want to vote for her, but I don’t think she can win. It wasn’t, people reasoned, because they were sexist, but they worried that America was.

After year of historic political gains, Black women continue push toward governorships

Back
July 5, 2022

After year of historic political gains, Black women continue push toward governorships

(CNN)In 2018, Stacey Abrams came within 1.4 percentage points of clinching the governor's mansion in Georgia. Her stinging loss to Republican Brian Kemp is still on the hearts of many of her most fervent supporters some four years later.

(CNN)In 2018, Stacey Abrams came within 1.4 percentage points of clinching the governor's mansion in Georgia. Her stinging loss to Republican Brian Kemp is still on the hearts of many of her most fervent supporters some four years later.

July 4, 2022
Women battle for seats in PNG parliament

Port Moresby (AFP) – Women are fighting to get at least one seat in Papua New Guinea's male-dominated parliament when voting opens Monday in a mountainous, forest-clad land scarred by gender-based violence.

July 1, 2022
Jersey election 2022: Number of females elected rises from 14 to 21

The 2022 election has seen more women elected to Jersey's government than ever before.

A total of 51% of the newly-elected deputies are women, and women now make up 43% of the overall government.