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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

A record number of indigenous women are running for office this year

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October 26, 2020

A record number of indigenous women are running for office this year

A report from the Center for American Women and Politics states that, in 2020, 18 Native American women—nine Democrats and nine Republicans—will have run as congressional candi

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A report from the Center for American Women and Politics states that, in 2020, 18 Native American women—nine Democrats and nine Republicans—will have run as congressional candi

Key facts about women’s suffrage around the world, a century after U.S. ratified 19th Amendment

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October 19, 2020

Key facts about women’s suffrage around the world, a century after U.S. ratified 19th Amendment

This year marks the centennial of the ratification of 

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This year marks the centennial of the ratification of 

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Iranian women can register as candidates for presidential election

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Iranian women can register as candidates for presidential election

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There are no obstacles for women to register as candidates for presidential election in Iran, said the Guardian Council Spokesman, said Abbasali Kadkhodaei, Trend reports citing Mehr News Agency.

"There are some cultural discussions about this topic in the country and it's not an issue that requires the law to solve it," said Kadkhodaei.

"The Guardian Council currently can only provide suggestions in terms of election's rules," he said.

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There are no obstacles for women to register as candidates for presidential election in Iran, said the Guardian Council Spokesman, said Abbasali Kadkhodaei, Trend reports citing Mehr News Agency.

"There are some cultural discussions about this topic in the country and it's not an issue that requires the law to solve it," said Kadkhodaei.

"The Guardian Council currently can only provide suggestions in terms of election's rules," he said.

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Impact of COVID-19 on women’s political, electoral and governance participation in Africa and the Caribbean

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Impact of COVID-19 on women’s political, electoral and governance participation in Africa and the Caribbean

This webinar series is part of the Commonwealth Secretariat effort at fostering virtual dialogues on the gendered and shadow impact of COVID-19 on women, through its Inclusive Dialogue and Wom

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SIGI urges women planning to run for elections to form their own lists

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SIGI urges women planning to run for elections to form their own lists

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A local organisation on Sunday called on women wishing to run for the upcoming parliamentary elections to form their own lists and not to wait to be included in other candidates' lists.

Sisterhood is Global Institute Jordan (SIGI) stated that Article 9 in the 2016 Elections Law stipulated that voting is based on the open proportional list at the district level.

The law stipulates that each list should include no fewer than three candidates and no more than the number of seats allocated for the constituency in which the list is competing.

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A local organisation on Sunday called on women wishing to run for the upcoming parliamentary elections to form their own lists and not to wait to be included in other candidates' lists.

Sisterhood is Global Institute Jordan (SIGI) stated that Article 9 in the 2016 Elections Law stipulated that voting is based on the open proportional list at the district level.

The law stipulates that each list should include no fewer than three candidates and no more than the number of seats allocated for the constituency in which the list is competing.

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Coalition of political parties women in Liberia says national legislature is not balanced, as they train female candidates for December election

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Coalition of political parties women in Liberia says national legislature is not balanced, as they train female candidates for December election

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Ahead of the December 8, 2020 Senatorial election, the Coalition of Political Parties Women in Liberia (COPPWIL) says the national legislature is not balanced because of the limited female representation in the Liberian Senate.

The group, which is a conglomeration of women from all political parties in the country, believe that there is a need for women to be enlightened about major issues affecting them and their community or county.

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Ahead of the December 8, 2020 Senatorial election, the Coalition of Political Parties Women in Liberia (COPPWIL) says the national legislature is not balanced because of the limited female representation in the Liberian Senate.

The group, which is a conglomeration of women from all political parties in the country, believe that there is a need for women to be enlightened about major issues affecting them and their community or county.

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Kenya's parliament to challenge dissolution bid over lack of women

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Kenya's parliament to challenge dissolution bid over lack of women

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Justin Muturi, speaker of the National Assembly and chairman of the Parliamentary Service Commission, said Maraga's advisory was unconstitutional, while organisations that pushed for the petition called it an unprecedented test of Kenyan law. "The Commission regrets that the chief justice appears to be willing, even eager, to plunge the country into a constitutional crisis without exercising the wisdom and circumspection that is expected of the high office that he holds," Muturi told a news conference.

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Justin Muturi, speaker of the National Assembly and chairman of the Parliamentary Service Commission, said Maraga's advisory was unconstitutional, while organisations that pushed for the petition called it an unprecedented test of Kenyan law. "The Commission regrets that the chief justice appears to be willing, even eager, to plunge the country into a constitutional crisis without exercising the wisdom and circumspection that is expected of the high office that he holds," Muturi told a news conference.

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Bolivian interim President Anez withdraws from election race

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Bolivian interim President Anez withdraws from election race

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Bolivia's interim President Jeanine Anez has said she will not run in the country's election next month, in an attempt to unify votes against the MAS party of former leader Evo Morales.

Anez, a former conservative senator, took office in the power vacuum that followed Morales's departure last year after allegations of irregularities in an October 2019 election that sparked violent protests and army pressure forced Bolivia's first Indigenous president to go into exile in Mexico.

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France 24

Bolivia's interim President Jeanine Anez has said she will not run in the country's election next month, in an attempt to unify votes against the MAS party of former leader Evo Morales.

Anez, a former conservative senator, took office in the power vacuum that followed Morales's departure last year after allegations of irregularities in an October 2019 election that sparked violent protests and army pressure forced Bolivia's first Indigenous president to go into exile in Mexico.

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In Japan’s male-dominated politics, women face obstacles to making history

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In Japan’s male-dominated politics, women face obstacles to making history

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Lawmakers who were vying to lead the ruling Liberal Democratic Party including Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, who won the overwhelming support of the party’s members, have vowed to continue outgoing Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s push to empower women and raise their share of leadership roles.

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Lawmakers who were vying to lead the ruling Liberal Democratic Party including Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, who won the overwhelming support of the party’s members, have vowed to continue outgoing Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s push to empower women and raise their share of leadership roles.

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