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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

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June 16, 2021
'Long and difficult' path to political equality for Iran women

Iranian women's poor political representation could be set to worsen under an ultraconservative poised to win next week's presidential election.

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June 16, 2021
Japanese parties vie to boost number of female lawmakers ahead of polls

TOKYO – Japanese political parties are competing with each other to promote female candidates ahead of a lower house election that must be held by this fall, but some worry that, like similar efforts before, the initiative may be more sloganeering th

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June 16, 2021
Regardless of outcome, Virginia lieutenant governor’s race will make history

No matter which party prevails in Virginia’s elections in November, the result of the lieutenant governor’s race will be the same in one way: A woman of color will hold a statewide office in the commonwealth for the first time in history.

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June 11, 2021
Women, young candidates to reverse Algeria’s low voter turnout

Young men and women candidates running for Algeria’s upcoming legislative elections are considered an asset amid a predicted record low turnout.

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Nigeria’s National Assembly: why adding seats for women isn’t enough

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June 11, 2021

Nigeria’s National Assembly: why adding seats for women isn’t enough

Nigeria has very few women participating in politics. Only seven out of 109 senators and 22 of the 360 House of Representatives members are women.

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Nigeria has very few women participating in politics. Only seven out of 109 senators and 22 of the 360 House of Representatives members are women.

“Parity in everything”: What Mexico can teach us about women’s representation

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June 9, 2021

“Parity in everything”: What Mexico can teach us about women’s representation

Mexico is the first country in the world to implement gender parity so thoroughly and effectively. The journey has not been easy—and is far from over.

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Mexico is the first country in the world to implement gender parity so thoroughly and effectively. The journey has not been easy—and is far from over.

June 9, 2021
Women score historic wins in Mexico’s mid-term elections

Women were poised to win a record number of state governors’ offices in Mexican mid-term elections on Sunday, capturing territory long dominated by men and giving them a bigger political platform to reach the presidency one day.

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June 7, 2021
Samoa's crisis seen harming gender equality in Pacific island politics

(Thomson Reuters Foundation) - An impasse between Samoa’s incumbent prime minister and female opposition leader could see a backlash against gender quota rules in the small Pacific island nation and stop other women from entering politics across the

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