Democracy and the equal participation of men and women in the political arena are closely intertwined. No parliament or any decision-making body can claim to be representative without the participation of both men and women. As stated in the Universal Declaration on Democracy adopted by the Inter-Parliamentary Union’s Member Parliaments in 1997, "The achievement of democracy presupposes a genuine partnership between men and women in the conduct of the affairs of society in which they work in equality and complementarity, drawing mutual enrichment from their differences."
Recent years have seen a steady increase in the number of women in parliament, though the world average of less than 22 percent remains far from the goal of parity between women and men. The election of women to the highest positions of state and government in several countries has also contributed to the changing face of politics.
While the road to election is a difficult one, the challenges for women do not stop there. Once women enter parliament or other bodies, they are faced with many new challenges. Parliament is traditionally a male-oriented domain where the rules and practices have been written by men. It is, therefore, an ongoing challenge to transform parliament into a gender-sensitive environment, to ensure that actions are gender-sensitive and to guarantee that gender is mainstreamed throughout the legislature.
Zimbabwe Elections Support Network (ZESN)’s Senior Advocacy for Electoral Reform Officer, Heather Koga, has emphasized the need for society and the state to recognize violence against women during election periods as a pressing societal issue that must be prevented an
The promotion of inclusive political participation and the elimination of violence against women in politics are paramount to ensuring that every candidate has fair and equal conditions in an electoral process — as these go a long way in bringing credibility, transpar
The promotion of inclusive political participation and the elimination of violence against women in politics are paramount to ensuring that every candidate has fair and equal conditions in an electoral process — as these go a long way in bringing credibility, transpar
Ten men are competing for Zimbabwe’s top job after two female candidates failed to raise enough funds to file their nominations.
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Marion Kamara stepped out of the black gates of her compound, high on a hill in the Devil Hole area southwest of Sierra Leone’s capital, Freetown.
Marion Kamara stepped out of the black gates of her compound, high on a hill in the Devil Hole area southwest of Sierra Leone’s capital, Freetown.
While women make up 49% of Nigeria’s population, their representation in politics and governance doesn’t quite match.
Working in politics is unhealthy and almost impossible for women with children, a former MP claimed.
Working in politics is unhealthy and almost impossible for women with children, a former MP claimed.
Which country ever short-changes itself the way Nigeria does? We approach every major election by constructively eliminating more than 50% of our potent population (women) from the contest.
Which country ever short-changes itself the way Nigeria does? We approach every major election by constructively eliminating more than 50% of our potent population (women) from the contest.
The Provincial Assembly of Sindh, in collaboration with the Women’s Parliamentary Caucus (WPC), organised a roundtable discussion on electoral reforms in Karachi on Wednesday. The event was held with the support of UN-Women Pakistan and UNDP.
The Provincial Assembly of Sindh, in collaboration with the Women’s Parliamentary Caucus (WPC), organised a roundtable discussion on electoral reforms in Karachi on Wednesday. The event was held with the support of UN-Women Pakistan and UNDP.