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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

Manipur: Why women remain underrepresented in electoral politics

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March 10, 2022

Manipur: Why women remain underrepresented in electoral politics

For the first time ever, 55,000 more women than men will be electing its next legislature.

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For the first time ever, 55,000 more women than men will be electing its next legislature.

March 10, 2022
Papua New Guinea: No reserved seats for women

The plan to have five regional seats reserved for women beginning in the general election this year has been shelved, a senior government official told a parliamentary committee yesterday.

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March 9, 2022
Nicola Sturgeon: Gender balance in Scotland may reverse as women avoid toxic politics

Nicola Sturgeon said she fears the forthcoming council elections will see equal representation go “backwards” as women are reluctant to enter the “toxic” world of politics.

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Intractable barriers to women’s election in Tonga

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March 9, 2022

Intractable barriers to women’s election in Tonga

In this In brief, the authors consider lessons learned in the aftermath of women candidates’ defeat in the 18 November 2021 general election.

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In this In brief, the authors consider lessons learned in the aftermath of women candidates’ defeat in the 18 November 2021 general election.

March 8, 2022
South Korea’s poisonous gender politics a test for next president

As election campaign enters final stages, the two leading candidates have been accused of pandering to sexism to win the votes of aggrieved young men.

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Few women at the top of electoral management bodies worldwide

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March 8, 2022

Few women at the top of electoral management bodies worldwide

Electoral management bodies (EMBs) are responsible for ensuring a level playing field for political representation and meaningful participation across

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Electoral management bodies (EMBs) are responsible for ensuring a level playing field for political representation and meaningful participation across

March 7, 2022
The contribution of women to and gender issues in the 2021/2022 electoral reform process in Mozambique

After a quarter of a century of democratic experience that followed another 25 years of a revolutionary process that put women’s emancipation at the centre of the revolutionary discourse, women in Mozambique still face social, economic and political exclusions that im

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March 7, 2022
Enhancing women's political participation in Africa

Enhancing Women's Political Participation in Africa (Women in Political Participation (WPP) is a Pan-African gender project on the different facets of Women and Politics in Africa.

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Women in parliament in 2021: The year in review

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March 7, 2022

Women in parliament in 2021: The year in review

The world walked into 2021 with the shadow of COVID-19 looming large over its head. As well as posing a major health risk, the pandemic had also caused economic and social upheaval.

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The world walked into 2021 with the shadow of COVID-19 looming large over its head. As well as posing a major health risk, the pandemic had also caused economic and social upheaval.

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