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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

Then-presidential candidate Draupadi Murmu greets supporters in Odisha state, India, on June 22. (AP)
July 22, 2022
In a first, India elects tribal woman to be president

NEW DELHI — About 5,000 Indian lawmakers on Thursday elected Draupadi Murmu, an Indigenous tribal woman with humble roots, to be the country’s next president, marking a breakthrough for one of India’s marginalized minority groups.

Interviews

July 18, 2022
Women win record 35 of 125 seats in Japan's Upper House election

Sunday’s Upper House election saw a record 35 seats go to women, with veteran lawmakers and new contenders of all stripes voted in.

Event

Women and political power In Pakistan

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July 13, 2022

Women and political power In Pakistan

"The next step is to move away from symbolic representation for women to have more female politicians in influential decision-making positions," writes Saad Hafiz.

"The next step is to move away from symbolic representation for women to have more female politicians in influential decision-making positions," writes Saad Hafiz.

The 2021 federal German election: A gender and intersectional analysis

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July 11, 2022

The 2021 federal German election: A gender and intersectional analysis

On 26 September 2021, Germans elected the 20th Bundestag. This election was special in many ways. The article analyses the electoral campaign, voting behaviour, turnout, and the formation of a new coalition government by using a gender and intersectional lens.

On 26 September 2021, Germans elected the 20th Bundestag. This election was special in many ways. The article analyses the electoral campaign, voting behaviour, turnout, and the formation of a new coalition government by using a gender and intersectional lens.

Harassment of female candidates a growing issue in Japanese politics

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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.