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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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2019 UK Election: Analysis shows increase in women MPs but most are in opposition

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2019 UK Election: Analysis shows increase in women MPs but most are in opposition

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A record number of women presented themselves for office ahead of the UK’s 2019 election. A total of 37% of candidates were female – an improvement of eight percentage points over the number of women standing in 2017 (29%) and 11 percentage points compared to 2015 (26%). This despite how challenging it can be to organise a campaign for a snap election.

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A record number of women presented themselves for office ahead of the UK’s 2019 election. A total of 37% of candidates were female – an improvement of eight percentage points over the number of women standing in 2017 (29%) and 11 percentage points compared to 2015 (26%). This despite how challenging it can be to organise a campaign for a snap election.

Breaking cycles of violence: Gaps in prevention of and response to electoral-related sexual violence in Kenya

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December 20, 2019

Breaking cycles of violence: Gaps in prevention of and response to electoral-related sexual violence in Kenya

Introduction

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Introduction

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Record number of female MPs have won seats in UK general election

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Record number of female MPs have won seats in UK general election

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More women MPs have been elected to the House of Commons than ever before, according to the Press Association news agency, breaking the previous record of 208 set in 2017.

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More women MPs have been elected to the House of Commons than ever before, according to the Press Association news agency, breaking the previous record of 208 set in 2017.

‘If you’re a female MP, people intimidate you in the hope you will shut up and go away’

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December 12, 2019

‘If you’re a female MP, people intimidate you in the hope you will shut up and go away’

With the general election - arguably our most toxic one ever - only hours away, Marisa Bate investigates the grim reality of female MPs facing daily death and rape threats, installing panic buttons at home and asks three candidates running for re-ele

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With the general election - arguably our most toxic one ever - only hours away, Marisa Bate investigates the grim reality of female MPs facing daily death and rape threats, installing panic buttons at home and asks three candidates running for re-ele

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UK: Why are women less visible during the 2019 election?

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UK: Why are women less visible during the 2019 election?

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Every general election is haunted by the ghosts of campaigns past.

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Every general election is haunted by the ghosts of campaigns past.

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Namibia’s first female candidate vows to ‘restore dignity’

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Namibia’s first female candidate vows to ‘restore dignity’

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Calm and confident, Esther Muinjangue, Namibia’s first woman to run for president, says she feels a “wind of change” softly blowing through the southwest African country which goes to the polls on Wednesday.

From her modest home in a quiet suburb of the capital Windhoek, Muinjangue spoke about her bid to “restore dignity” to the country’s 2.45 million inhabitants – struggling through an economic recession after nearly 30 years of independence from South Africa.

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Calm and confident, Esther Muinjangue, Namibia’s first woman to run for president, says she feels a “wind of change” softly blowing through the southwest African country which goes to the polls on Wednesday.

From her modest home in a quiet suburb of the capital Windhoek, Muinjangue spoke about her bid to “restore dignity” to the country’s 2.45 million inhabitants – struggling through an economic recession after nearly 30 years of independence from South Africa.

Are Americans ready for a female president? Yes. In fact, they might prefer one

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December 6, 2019

Are Americans ready for a female president? Yes. In fact, they might prefer one

BY Mary C. MC Grath, Sara Saltzer,

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BY Mary C. MC Grath, Sara Saltzer,

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