Partner News

Political participation, economic empowerment and ending violence against women emphasized as key to gender equality in meetings with US legislators

The Executive Director of UN Women, Ms. Michelle Bachelet, on Friday commended women for their role in the pro-democracy protest movements that have swept across North Africa and the Middle East. She, however, said their rights and leadership potential must continue to be encouraged.

On 6 April 2011, Dr Essam El Haddad and Dalia Zakhary visited International IDEA as guest speakers at the Institute's Board of Advisers' meeting to discuss developments in the Western Asia and North Africa region.

To listen to their interview, click below.

During her visit to Panama 16-17 April, UN Women Executive Director Michelle Bachelet will participate in the meeting of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) General Assembly. Ms. Bachelet will also meet with the President of Panama and Panamanian women’s organizations.

Since the end of that campaign, NDI has been working with political parties to compile their lessons learned throughout the historic presidential election process of 2010.

As democratic activists in the Middle East and North Africa have stepped up their fight for freedom, NDI and the government of Bulgaria have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to cement their partnership in aiding reform movements in the Muslim world and other transitional regions.

Ladies and Gentlemen, This year may well mark the beginning of the ‘fourth wave’ of democracy. As we have seen from the dramatic events of the ‘Arab spring’, women have been actively involved in the new wave of demands for political freedoms and dignity.

I am pleased to join Michelle Bachelet, Executive Director of UN Women, Vidar Helgesen, Secretary General of International IDEA, and Oscar Fernandez-Taranco, UN Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs, in co-sponsoring today’s roundtable on democracy and gender e