30 Years of Democracy: Riding the Wave? Women’s Political Participation in Latin America. “Ginger Rogers did everything Fred Astaire did, except backwards and in high heels.”
This report examines the progress made in women’s participation at all levels of public and party decision making, in the three decades since the start of the third wave of democratization, drawing on data from 18 countries in the region. It goes beyond mere numbers, highlighting not only the progress that has been made, but also some of the obstacles that women face in public life and presents a number of recommendations for improving the situation of women in political life.To read the complete article please visit International IDEA Web page
Partner News
30 Years of Democracy: Riding the Wave? Women’s Political Participation in Latin America. “Ginger Rogers did everything Fred Astaire did, except backwards and in high heels.”
This report examines the progress made in women’s participation at all levels of public and party decision making, in the three decades since the start of the third wave of democratization, drawing on data from 18 countries in the region. It goes beyond mere numbers, highlighting not only the progress that has been made, but also some of the obstacles that women face in public life and presents a number of recommendations for improving the situation of women in political life.To read the complete article please visit International IDEA Web page
30 Years of Democracy: Riding the Wave? Women’s Political Participation in Latin America. “Ginger Rogers did everything Fred Astaire did, except backwards and in high heels.”
This report examines the progress made in women’s participation at all levels of public and party decision making, in the three decades since the start of the third wave of democratization, drawing on data from 18 countries in the region. It goes beyond mere numbers, highlighting not only the progress that has been made, but also some of the obstacles that women face in public life and presents a number of recommendations for improving the situation of women in political life.To read the complete article please visit International IDEA Web page
30 Years of Democracy: Riding the Wave? Women’s Political Participation in Latin America. “Ginger Rogers did everything Fred Astaire did, except backwards and in high heels.”
This report examines the progress made in women’s participation at all levels of public and party decision making, in the three decades since the start of the third wave of democratization, drawing on data from 18 countries in the region. It goes beyond mere numbers, highlighting not only the progress that has been made, but also some of the obstacles that women face in public life and presents a number of recommendations for improving the situation of women in political life.To read the complete article please visit International IDEA Web page
30 Years of Democracy: Riding the Wave? Women’s Political Participation in Latin America. “Ginger Rogers did everything Fred Astaire did, except backwards and in high heels.”
This report examines the progress made in women’s participation at all levels of public and party decision making, in the three decades since the start of the third wave of democratization, drawing on data from 18 countries in the region. It goes beyond mere numbers, highlighting not only the progress that has been made, but also some of the obstacles that women face in public life and presents a number of recommendations for improving the situation of women in political life.To read the complete article please visit International IDEA Web page
30 Years of Democracy: Riding the Wave? Women’s Political Participation in Latin America. “Ginger Rogers did everything Fred Astaire did, except backwards and in high heels.”
This report examines the progress made in women’s participation at all levels of public and party decision making, in the three decades since the start of the third wave of democratization, drawing on data from 18 countries in the region. It goes beyond mere numbers, highlighting not only the progress that has been made, but also some of the obstacles that women face in public life and presents a number of recommendations for improving the situation of women in political life.To read the complete article please visit International IDEA Web page
30 Years of Democracy: Riding the Wave? Women’s Political Participation in Latin America. “Ginger Rogers did everything Fred Astaire did, except backwards and in high heels.”
This report examines the progress made in women’s participation at all levels of public and party decision making, in the three decades since the start of the third wave of democratization, drawing on data from 18 countries in the region. It goes beyond mere numbers, highlighting not only the progress that has been made, but also some of the obstacles that women face in public life and presents a number of recommendations for improving the situation of women in political life.To read the complete article please visit International IDEA Web page
30 Years of Democracy: Riding the Wave? Women’s Political Participation in Latin America. “Ginger Rogers did everything Fred Astaire did, except backwards and in high heels.”
This report examines the progress made in women’s participation at all levels of public and party decision making, in the three decades since the start of the third wave of democratization, drawing on data from 18 countries in the region. It goes beyond mere numbers, highlighting not only the progress that has been made, but also some of the obstacles that women face in public life and presents a number of recommendations for improving the situation of women in political life.To read the complete article please visit International IDEA Web page
30 Years of Democracy: Riding the Wave? Women’s Political Participation in Latin America. “Ginger Rogers did everything Fred Astaire did, except backwards and in high heels.”
This report examines the progress made in women’s participation at all levels of public and party decision making, in the three decades since the start of the third wave of democratization, drawing on data from 18 countries in the region. It goes beyond mere numbers, highlighting not only the progress that has been made, but also some of the obstacles that women face in public life and presents a number of recommendations for improving the situation of women in political life.To read the complete article please visit International IDEA Web page
30 Years of Democracy: Riding the Wave? Women’s Political Participation in Latin America. “Ginger Rogers did everything Fred Astaire did, except backwards and in high heels.”
This report examines the progress made in women’s participation at all levels of public and party decision making, in the three decades since the start of the third wave of democratization, drawing on data from 18 countries in the region. It goes beyond mere numbers, highlighting not only the progress that has been made, but also some of the obstacles that women face in public life and presents a number of recommendations for improving the situation of women in political life.To read the complete article please visit International IDEA Web page
30 Years of Democracy: Riding the Wave? Women’s Political Participation in Latin America. “Ginger Rogers did everything Fred Astaire did, except backwards and in high heels.”
This report examines the progress made in women’s participation at all levels of public and party decision making, in the three decades since the start of the third wave of democratization, drawing on data from 18 countries in the region. It goes beyond mere numbers, highlighting not only the progress that has been made, but also some of the obstacles that women face in public life and presents a number of recommendations for improving the situation of women in political life.To read the complete article please visit International IDEA Web page
30 Years of Democracy: Riding the Wave? Women’s Political Participation in Latin America. “Ginger Rogers did everything Fred Astaire did, except backwards and in high heels.”
This report examines the progress made in women’s participation at all levels of public and party decision making, in the three decades since the start of the third wave of democratization, drawing on data from 18 countries in the region. It goes beyond mere numbers, highlighting not only the progress that has been made, but also some of the obstacles that women face in public life and presents a number of recommendations for improving the situation of women in political life.To read the complete article please visit International IDEA Web page
30 Years of Democracy: Riding the Wave? Women’s Political Participation in Latin America. “Ginger Rogers did everything Fred Astaire did, except backwards and in high heels.”
This report examines the progress made in women’s participation at all levels of public and party decision making, in the three decades since the start of the third wave of democratization, drawing on data from 18 countries in the region. It goes beyond mere numbers, highlighting not only the progress that has been made, but also some of the obstacles that women face in public life and presents a number of recommendations for improving the situation of women in political life.To read the complete article please visit International IDEA Web page
30 Years of Democracy: Riding the Wave? Women’s Political Participation in Latin America. “Ginger Rogers did everything Fred Astaire did, except backwards and in high heels.”
This report examines the progress made in women’s participation at all levels of public and party decision making, in the three decades since the start of the third wave of democratization, drawing on data from 18 countries in the region. It goes beyond mere numbers, highlighting not only the progress that has been made, but also some of the obstacles that women face in public life and presents a number of recommendations for improving the situation of women in political life.To read the complete article please visit International IDEA Web page
30 Years of Democracy: Riding the Wave? Women’s Political Participation in Latin America. “Ginger Rogers did everything Fred Astaire did, except backwards and in high heels.”
This report examines the progress made in women’s participation at all levels of public and party decision making, in the three decades since the start of the third wave of democratization, drawing on data from 18 countries in the region. It goes beyond mere numbers, highlighting not only the progress that has been made, but also some of the obstacles that women face in public life and presents a number of recommendations for improving the situation of women in political life.To read the complete article please visit International IDEA Web page
30 Years of Democracy: Riding the Wave? Women’s Political Participation in Latin America. “Ginger Rogers did everything Fred Astaire did, except backwards and in high heels.”
This report examines the progress made in women’s participation at all levels of public and party decision making, in the three decades since the start of the third wave of democratization, drawing on data from 18 countries in the region. It goes beyond mere numbers, highlighting not only the progress that has been made, but also some of the obstacles that women face in public life and presents a number of recommendations for improving the situation of women in political life.To read the complete article please visit International IDEA Web page
30 Years of Democracy: Riding the Wave? Women’s Political Participation in Latin America. “Ginger Rogers did everything Fred Astaire did, except backwards and in high heels.”
This report examines the progress made in women’s participation at all levels of public and party decision making, in the three decades since the start of the third wave of democratization, drawing on data from 18 countries in the region. It goes beyond mere numbers, highlighting not only the progress that has been made, but also some of the obstacles that women face in public life and presents a number of recommendations for improving the situation of women in political life.To read the complete article please visit International IDEA Web page
To mark International Women's Day tomorrow, Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and the Congressional Human Rights Caucus held a joint forum Wednesday to review the political landscape women shared in 2007.
Organizations that encourage gender equality in politics say there is an emerging worldwide trend toward women's civic engagement.Anders Johnsson, secretary-general of IPU, a Switzerland-based organization that works closely with the United Nations and looks into worldwide parliamentary issues, said the ongoing presidential election in the United States is encouraging to him when he thinks about future female involvement in politics."Everybody in the world is watching this election, and people are inspired by it," Mr. Johnsson said, pointing out Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, New York Democrat, as a strong female candidate seeking power at the top.According to the data from IPU, the world average of women holding parliamentary seats reached a new high in 2007 — 17.7 percent, up more than 50 percent in a decade.Rwanda, with almost half of its lower house composed of women, topped the list. Nordic countries such as Sweden and Finland, which have long-established political traditions of female participation, followed closely, with 47 percent and 41 percent respectively.However, the United States remained far down the list. Women now make up 16.8 percent of the House and 16 percent in the Senate for a ranking of 71st in the world.To read the full article, please visit The Washington Times' Website.
Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa at the National Democratic Institute (NDI), Leslie Campbell, hailed Morocco's reforms promoting women's participation in politics and electoral transparency.
Mr. Campbell, who was speaking following a seminar organized by Moroccan Minister of Social Development, Family and Solidarity, Nouzha Skalli, affirmed to the press that "Morocco has not only paved the way for reforms at the legislative level, but also with regards to voluntary commitment to dedicating seats in the Parliament for women and the adoption of the new family code."Morocco's family code reforms have been copied by several countries, he went on, stressing that the North African country has become an example of modern legislation in the Arab world.
Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa at the National Democratic Institute (NDI), Leslie Campbell, hailed Morocco's reforms promoting women's participation in politics and electoral transparency.
Mr. Campbell, who was speaking following a seminar organized by Moroccan Minister of Social Development, Family and Solidarity, Nouzha Skalli, affirmed to the press that "Morocco has not only paved the way for reforms at the legislative level, but also with regards to voluntary commitment to dedicating seats in the Parliament for women and the adoption of the new family code."Morocco's family code reforms have been copied by several countries, he went on, stressing that the North African country has become an example of modern legislation in the Arab world.
The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has awarded $1.8 million to the National Democratic Institute to support the role of women in Nepal's transition to democracy. The two-year program will strengthen the ability of elected women to engage effectively in the Constituent Assembly, Nepal's new constitution drafting representative and legislative body, and to effectively represent their constituencies.
To read the full article, please visit Fox Business .
In July 2008, NDI organized the inaugural MENA Regional Young Women Leaders Academy in Doha, Qatar, which gathered together young women leaders from the Middle East and North Africa. The young women, who included students, civil society leaders and political activists, gained the tools and skills necessary to become political leaders.
The group included undergraduate and graduate students and activists from Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Qatar and Yemen. 
Organized jointly by the National Democratic Institute’s (NDI) Women’s Political Participation and Middle East/North Africa Teams, the program aimed to provide young Arab women with the intellectual tools, comparative knowledge and practical skills necessary to become leaders in their communities. NDI is a nonprofit organization working to strengthen and expand democracy worldwide.Each participant came to the academy with the shared desire of strengthening the role of women leaders in their own country. During the nine-day academy, participants attended seminars on women’s leadership and social and political issues in the Middle East and North Africa.Marwa Wafsy, a participant from Egypt, has already started an NGO that focuses on women’s rights advocacy. She will use her newfound skills to make her organization more effective. “We should all work to empower women to take responsibility for participating in the decision-making process, especially in the Arab world,” Wafsy said. Students also improved their leadership skills through a series of intensive sessions on topics including public speaking, conflict resolution, advocacy and fundraising. During the public speaking training, the young women each prepared speeches on a topic of their choice which were videotaped and critiqued by a communications expert.
Midway through the academy, the women participated in a panel discussion with three successful young women leaders in Washington, DC. The panel took place in Georgetown’s Global Classroom, a unique venue that contains a high-definition video connection between Washington, DC and Doha, built to make users feel like they are in the same room. The panelists included Jumana Musa, a human rights attorney who is currently the Policy Director for the Rights Working Group; Zaynab Nawaz, a women’s human rights campaigner with Amnesty International USA; and Amy Pritchard, a political consultant who currently directs the Washington, D.C. office of Mission Control, a direct mail firm which works with Democratic candidates and campaigns. Academy participants engaged Jumana, Zaynab and Amy in a discussion about their experiences working in politics, legislative advocacy and civil society and also asked the women to address how they balance careers and a personal life. Abeer Al Qadasi, a participant from Yemen, commented on the speakers, saying: “I want to follow in their footsteps and be like them in the future. It reminded us that nothing can stop us from meeting our goals.” Watch a clip of the panel here:
In July 2008, NDI organized the inaugural MENA Regional Young Women Leaders Academy in Doha, Qatar, which gathered together young women leaders from the Middle East and North Africa. The young women, who included students, civil society leaders and political activists, gained the tools and skills necessary to become political leaders.
The group included undergraduate and graduate students and activists from Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Qatar and Yemen. Organized jointly by the National Democratic Institute’s (NDI) Women’s Political Participation and Middle East/North Africa Teams, the program aimed to provide young Arab women with the intellectual tools, comparative knowledge and practical skills necessary to become leaders in their communities. NDI is a nonprofit organization working to strengthen and expand democracy worldwide.Each participant came to the academy with the shared desire of strengthening the role of women leaders in their own country. During the nine-day academy, participants attended seminars on women’s leadership and social and political issues in the Middle East and North Africa.Marwa Wafsy, a participant from Egypt, has already started an NGO that focuses on women’s rights advocacy. She will use her newfound skills to make her organization more effective. “We should all work to empower women to take responsibility for participating in the decision-making process, especially in the Arab world,” Wafsy said. Students also improved their leadership skills through a series of intensive sessions on topics including public speaking, conflict resolution, advocacy and fundraising. During the public speaking training, the young women each prepared speeches on a topic of their choice which were videotaped and critiqued by a communications expert. Midway through the academy, the women participated in a panel discussion with three successful young women leaders in Washington, DC. The panel took place in Georgetown’s Global Classroom, a unique venue that contains a high-definition video connection between Washington, DC and Doha, built to make users feel like they are in the same room. The panelists included Jumana Musa, a human rights attorney who is currently the Policy Director for the Rights Working Group; Zaynab Nawaz, a women’s human rights campaigner with Amnesty International USA; and Amy Pritchard, a political consultant who currently directs the Washington, D.C. office of Mission Control, a direct mail firm which works with Democratic candidates and campaigns. Academy participants engaged Jumana, Zaynab and Amy in a discussion about their experiences working in politics, legislative advocacy and civil society and also asked the women to address how they balance careers and a personal life. Abeer Al Qadasi, a participant from Yemen, commented on the speakers, saying: “I want to follow in their footsteps and be like them in the future. It reminded us that nothing can stop us from meeting our goals.” Watch a clip of the panel here:
In July 2008, NDI organized the inaugural MENA Regional Young Women Leaders Academy in Doha, Qatar, which gathered together young women leaders from the Middle East and North Africa. The young women, who included students, civil society leaders and political activists, gained the tools and skills necessary to become political leaders.
The group included undergraduate and graduate students and activists from Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Qatar and Yemen. Organized jointly by the National Democratic Institute’s (NDI) Women’s Political Participation and Middle East/North Africa Teams, the program aimed to provide young Arab women with the intellectual tools, comparative knowledge and practical skills necessary to become leaders in their communities. NDI is a nonprofit organization working to strengthen and expand democracy worldwide.Each participant came to the academy with the shared desire of strengthening the role of women leaders in their own country. During the nine-day academy, participants attended seminars on women’s leadership and social and political issues in the Middle East and North Africa.Marwa Wafsy, a participant from Egypt, has already started an NGO that focuses on women’s rights advocacy. She will use her newfound skills to make her organization more effective. “We should all work to empower women to take responsibility for participating in the decision-making process, especially in the Arab world,” Wafsy said. Students also improved their leadership skills through a series of intensive sessions on topics including public speaking, conflict resolution, advocacy and fundraising. During the public speaking training, the young women each prepared speeches on a topic of their choice which were videotaped and critiqued by a communications expert. Midway through the academy, the women participated in a panel discussion with three successful young women leaders in Washington, DC. The panel took place in Georgetown’s Global Classroom, a unique venue that contains a high-definition video connection between Washington, DC and Doha, built to make users feel like they are in the same room. The panelists included Jumana Musa, a human rights attorney who is currently the Policy Director for the Rights Working Group; Zaynab Nawaz, a women’s human rights campaigner with Amnesty International USA; and Amy Pritchard, a political consultant who currently directs the Washington, D.C. office of Mission Control, a direct mail firm which works with Democratic candidates and campaigns. Academy participants engaged Jumana, Zaynab and Amy in a discussion about their experiences working in politics, legislative advocacy and civil society and also asked the women to address how they balance careers and a personal life. Abeer Al Qadasi, a participant from Yemen, commented on the speakers, saying: “I want to follow in their footsteps and be like them in the future. It reminded us that nothing can stop us from meeting our goals.” Watch a clip of the panel here:
On October 29th the UN Security Council will hold its 8th annual debate on Women, Peace and Security (resolution 1325). This year’s debate will focus on women’s participation in peace processes, an essential component of the full implementation of resolution 1325.
With digital cameras, women in conflict-affected countries document their lives. Using their photographs, they advocate for themselves and make their voices heard. This project and exhibition are a few of many ways that the International Rescue Committee supports women and advances the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1325.To read more see the UNIFEM website.