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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. In the streets of Tunis and Cairo and more recently in Sanaa, it has been difficult not to notice that women from all walks of life have joined the ranks of protestors in the streets to raise their voices for democracy and citizenship. As a result, we are already beginning to see gains for some women.

In April of this year, the political reformers of Tunisia achieved what had been unthinkable only months earlier; a draft electoral law calling for full parity in the political representation of the new Tunisian democracy. The law proposes that in the next parliamentary elections candidate lists will alternate between women’s and men’s names.

These events remind us of how fundamentally democracy has changed since its inception. Once considered to be the sole domain of landowning male elites, it is now impossible to think of democracy as anything but full and equal political citizenship for all. Of course this must be driven by leadership and commitment at the highest levels to ensure women’s full and equal participation in democratic processes.

This morning I will focus on what we have learned from women’s participation in democratic decision-making; that is, three key elements that must guide democracy assistance.

First, we need to address the obstacles women face in participation in the electoral process and their ability to exercise a real choice in elections. Second, we must consider whether spaces are created for women to articulate policy preferences or voice. Third, democratic public institutions must be accountable to women.

First allow me to start with the issues of choice. Over time democracy, as a political system, has developed mechanisms to integrate marginalized groups mechanisms such as quotas or regional arrangements to amplify the concerns of politically disenfranchised groups. Women are often in the majority of populations, yet they face a wide range of constraints to effective participation even in the most basic of democratic exercises, such as voting, or running for political office. Ironically, even in 2011 we do not have accurate data on the numbers of women compared to men who register to vote in many countries, or who actually exercise the vote. We have even less data on the extent to which women’s independent choice is constrained by coercion within the household or practical problems like a lack of mobility or violence at the polls.

The consequences of constraints on participation are well-known. Women make up less than 20% of legislators and less than 5% of ministers. Women have found themselves consistently constrained by traditional gender roles in the exercise of their political rights even in the most robust of democracies.

The second constraint regards effective voice. Effective public participation depends on being able to articulate interests and form a constituency to advance those interests. We have to ask ourselves — do we put enough resources into women’s civil society organizations so that women can pursue their interests? Do political parties reflect and respond to women’s concerns? We must remember that democracies can deliver majorities that actually — in the name of a democratic process — can impose restrictions on women’s rights. This can happen when there is not enough diversity and voice for women in politics.

If political party and government structures do not take into account women’s needs and priorities, and the media and traditional and cultural practices consistently minimize women’s value in political life, then democracies cannot deliver for women. What is more, the quality of democracy itself is weakened. Susan B Anthony, a famous campaigner for women’s right to vote, said
There never will be complete equality until women themselves help to make laws and elect lawmakers.

And finally, we have to ask whether democratic institutions answer to women. True democracy is about more than just participation — it is about the checks and balances and accountability institutions that allow women to seek redress when their rights are abused and their needs are ignored.

The judiciary, parliamentary oversight processes, and public audit institutions, all need to ensure that their procedures and standards are designed to monitor women’s rights violations and to enable women to call for inquiries and reviews. If these institutions are not in place and functioning, it sends a message to women that their citizenship rights are weaker than those of men, and indeed that their rights to security, to fair pay, or to property are subordinated to men’s rights. If women cannot hold government accountable for promoting gender equality then women’s citizenship is on fragile foundations.

Many of you here will remember the slogan of the 1970s: ‘the personal is political’. This slogan reflected the fact that inequality in the private sphere undermines equality in the public sphere. Public laws and institutions can reinforce those private inequalities. This can prevent institutions from truly answering to women. There is another women’s slogan that came from my own country during our democratic transition: ‘democracy at home and in the state’. The logic is the same; a democratic state should be held accountable for abuses of women’s rights. Full and true participation is not possible unless there is equality in everyday life. This extends not only to gender equality but to the need to address vast economic disparities as well — which pose extremely serious threats to democracy.

UN Women’s programming addresses these issues of choice, voice, and accountability. Around the world UN Women has supported women’s movements’ efforts to get women to vote and to run for political office, supporting training for candidates and working with media to generate better quality reporting on women’s campaigns.

In Tunisia and Egypt, UN Women is supporting women in civil society to identify their priorities for constitutional reform. In Egypt, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and in many other contexts, UN Women has supported country consultations between women’s civil society organizations and political leaders in order to develop Women’s Charters. These Charters list women’s priorities for a gender responsive democracy, such as electoral gender quotas, consultations between gender equality constituencies and politicians, and building networks of elected women parliamentary caucuses, among others.

UN Women also supports initiatives to strengthen gender accountability in the public administration through gender-responsive budgeting and with programmes in Rwanda and Tajikistan that develop a feedback loop between public service providers and women citizens. UN Women has worked with the office of the High Commission on Human Rights to support countries to address violations of women’s rights through support to Commissions of Inquiry and truth and reconciliation commissions. UN Women also supports countries around the world to put in place national legislative commitments to international policy and legal instruments such as the Beijing Platform for Action, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, the Africa Union protocol on the Rights of Women, and the Southern African Development Community protocol on gender.

To summarize, three basic requirements are critical for making democracy real for women. First, we have to remove the obstacles that keep women from participating effectively: mobility, finances, access to information, lack of public safety, and coercion, intimidation and violence.

Second, we must recognize that participation is one thing but real voice is another. Are women able to articulate and voice their rights, needs and preferences? How far are political parties internally democratic ? Have women in civil society had the opportunity to debate common positions on the constitution, electoral law, safety during campaigns, and other issues?

Third and finally, democratic institutions have to be held accountable to women, and held accountable for meeting commitments to women’s rights.

If a democracy neglects women’s participation, if it ignores women’s voices, if it shirks accountability for women’s rights, it is a democracy for only half its citizens.

I look forward to hearing the recommendations that come from the discussions today so that we can enhance our democracy assistance. I recognize in the list of speakers and this audience today, many important democracy activists. We are privileged that you are participating today. The great courage shown by women and men across the world in this dawning of a potential fourth wave of democracy calls on every one of us to make sure that gender equality is addressed in our efforts to make democracy real for all.

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. In the streets of Tunis and Cairo and more recently in Sanaa, it has been difficult not to notice that women from all walks of life have joined the ranks of protestors in the streets to raise their voices for democracy and citizenship. As a result, we are already beginning to see gains for some women.

In April of this year, the political reformers of Tunisia achieved what had been unthinkable only months earlier; a draft electoral law calling for full parity in the political representation of the new Tunisian democracy. The law proposes that in the next parliamentary elections candidate lists will alternate between women’s and men’s names.

These events remind us of how fundamentally democracy has changed since its inception. Once considered to be the sole domain of landowning male elites, it is now impossible to think of democracy as anything but full and equal political citizenship for all. Of course this must be driven by leadership and commitment at the highest levels to ensure women’s full and equal participation in democratic processes.

This morning I will focus on what we have learned from women’s participation in democratic decision-making; that is, three key elements that must guide democracy assistance.

First, we need to address the obstacles women face in participation in the electoral process and their ability to exercise a real choice in elections. Second, we must consider whether spaces are created for women to articulate policy preferences or voice. Third, democratic public institutions must be accountable to women.

First allow me to start with the issues of choice. Over time democracy, as a political system, has developed mechanisms to integrate marginalized groups mechanisms such as quotas or regional arrangements to amplify the concerns of politically disenfranchised groups. Women are often in the majority of populations, yet they face a wide range of constraints to effective participation even in the most basic of democratic exercises, such as voting, or running for political office. Ironically, even in 2011 we do not have accurate data on the numbers of women compared to men who register to vote in many countries, or who actually exercise the vote. We have even less data on the extent to which women’s independent choice is constrained by coercion within the household or practical problems like a lack of mobility or violence at the polls.

The consequences of constraints on participation are well-known. Women make up less than 20% of legislators and less than 5% of ministers. Women have found themselves consistently constrained by traditional gender roles in the exercise of their political rights even in the most robust of democracies.

The second constraint regards effective voice. Effective public participation depends on being able to articulate interests and form a constituency to advance those interests. We have to ask ourselves — do we put enough resources into women’s civil society organizations so that women can pursue their interests? Do political parties reflect and respond to women’s concerns? We must remember that democracies can deliver majorities that actually — in the name of a democratic process — can impose restrictions on women’s rights. This can happen when there is not enough diversity and voice for women in politics.

If political party and government structures do not take into account women’s needs and priorities, and the media and traditional and cultural practices consistently minimize women’s value in political life, then democracies cannot deliver for women. What is more, the quality of democracy itself is weakened. Susan B Anthony, a famous campaigner for women’s right to vote, said
There never will be complete equality until women themselves help to make laws and elect lawmakers.

And finally, we have to ask whether democratic institutions answer to women. True democracy is about more than just participation — it is about the checks and balances and accountability institutions that allow women to seek redress when their rights are abused and their needs are ignored.

The judiciary, parliamentary oversight processes, and public audit institutions, all need to ensure that their procedures and standards are designed to monitor women’s rights violations and to enable women to call for inquiries and reviews. If these institutions are not in place and functioning, it sends a message to women that their citizenship rights are weaker than those of men, and indeed that their rights to security, to fair pay, or to property are subordinated to men’s rights. If women cannot hold government accountable for promoting gender equality then women’s citizenship is on fragile foundations.

Many of you here will remember the slogan of the 1970s: ‘the personal is political’. This slogan reflected the fact that inequality in the private sphere undermines equality in the public sphere. Public laws and institutions can reinforce those private inequalities. This can prevent institutions from truly answering to women. There is another women’s slogan that came from my own country during our democratic transition: ‘democracy at home and in the state’. The logic is the same; a democratic state should be held accountable for abuses of women’s rights. Full and true participation is not possible unless there is equality in everyday life. This extends not only to gender equality but to the need to address vast economic disparities as well — which pose extremely serious threats to democracy.

UN Women’s programming addresses these issues of choice, voice, and accountability. Around the world UN Women has supported women’s movements’ efforts to get women to vote and to run for political office, supporting training for candidates and working with media to generate better quality reporting on women’s campaigns.

In Tunisia and Egypt, UN Women is supporting women in civil society to identify their priorities for constitutional reform. In Egypt, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and in many other contexts, UN Women has supported country consultations between women’s civil society organizations and political leaders in order to develop Women’s Charters. These Charters list women’s priorities for a gender responsive democracy, such as electoral gender quotas, consultations between gender equality constituencies and politicians, and building networks of elected women parliamentary caucuses, among others.

UN Women also supports initiatives to strengthen gender accountability in the public administration through gender-responsive budgeting and with programmes in Rwanda and Tajikistan that develop a feedback loop between public service providers and women citizens. UN Women has worked with the office of the High Commission on Human Rights to support countries to address violations of women’s rights through support to Commissions of Inquiry and truth and reconciliation commissions. UN Women also supports countries around the world to put in place national legislative commitments to international policy and legal instruments such as the Beijing Platform for Action, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, the Africa Union protocol on the Rights of Women, and the Southern African Development Community protocol on gender.

To summarize, three basic requirements are critical for making democracy real for women. First, we have to remove the obstacles that keep women from participating effectively: mobility, finances, access to information, lack of public safety, and coercion, intimidation and violence.

Second, we must recognize that participation is one thing but real voice is another. Are women able to articulate and voice their rights, needs and preferences? How far are political parties internally democratic ? Have women in civil society had the opportunity to debate common positions on the constitution, electoral law, safety during campaigns, and other issues?

Third and finally, democratic institutions have to be held accountable to women, and held accountable for meeting commitments to women’s rights.

If a democracy neglects women’s participation, if it ignores women’s voices, if it shirks accountability for women’s rights, it is a democracy for only half its citizens.

I look forward to hearing the recommendations that come from the discussions today so that we can enhance our democracy assistance. I recognize in the list of speakers and this audience today, many important democracy activists. We are privileged that you are participating today. The great courage shown by women and men across the world in this dawning of a potential fourth wave of democracy calls on every one of us to make sure that gender equality is addressed in our efforts to make democracy real for all.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Thursday stressed the need to promote the participation of women in decision-making, noting that, "democracy and gender equality are interlinked and mutually reinforcing. Also speaking, Helen Clark, the Administrator of the UN Development Programme (UNDP), said that, "democratic governance cannot be fully achieved without the full participation and inclusion of women.

For more information, please visit: panapress

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Thursday stressed the need to promote the participation of women in decision-making, noting that, "democracy and gender equality are interlinked and mutually reinforcing. Also speaking, Helen Clark, the Administrator of the UN Development Programme (UNDP), said that, "democratic governance cannot be fully achieved without the full participation and inclusion of women.

For more information, please visit: panapress

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Thursday stressed the need to promote the participation of women in decision-making, noting that, "democracy and gender equality are interlinked and mutually reinforcing. Also speaking, Helen Clark, the Administrator of the UN Development Programme (UNDP), said that, "democratic governance cannot be fully achieved without the full participation and inclusion of women.

For more information, please visit: panapress

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 equality

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights and a rich body of international human rights law and treaties promote equal rights for people everywhere to freedom, inclusion, and representation. The challenge is to realize these rights for all in practice.

To me, it is self-evident that democratic governance cannot be fully achieved without the full participation and inclusion of women. Those without voice are so easily ignored by those who have it. Without the full participation of women in decision-making processes and debates about policy priorities and options, issues of great importance to women will either be neglected, or the way in which they are addressed will be sub-optimal and uninformed by women’s perspectives.

Around the world, UNDP helps countries to build the inclusive economies, societies, and governance which will lift human development. Human development is about enabling people to expand their freedoms and choices to live lives which they value. Democratic governance helps deliver that, and also contributes to the social cohesion and peace which is required for sustained development.

The democratic governance portfolio is a very important part of UNDP’s work. Our programmes in this area reach 132 countries, and account for more than one third of our resources. We support countries’ efforts to strengthen their democratic institutions through free and fair elections, and to establish environments in which political parties, vibrant civil society, and free and ethical media can flourish.

UNDP is the UN system’s lead provider of technical assistance to elections. From 2008 to 2010 alone, we provided electoral assistance to 64 countries and territories. We are currently working with more than 120 countries on reform of public administration and/or strengthening governance.

To be judged successful, all this work must contribute to empowering women and pursuing gender equality. We need to see more women elected, voting, involved in participatory processes generally, and well represented in public administrations.

There is evidence to suggest that where women have a strong presence on local councils, they are likely to use their weight to support investments in areas like water and sanitation which are so critical to human health and development. In my own experience, priority for policies like paid parental leave, child care, family friendly workplaces, and much more only materializes when women are active participants in policy debate and prominent in decision-making processes.

It is very important then for women’s political participation at all levels and representation in public administrations to be strengthened so that they can have a strong voice in the setting of development policy and priorities.

Yet achieving that can be a long struggle. National political office, for example, remains one of the most difficult places for women to reach in significant numbers in many societies. Women still comprise only nineteen per cent of the world’s parliamentarians – far from the thirty per cent target set in Beijing in 1995.

As well, women continue to be under-represented overall in public administrations, particularly at the middle and senior levels.

There are a number of proven ways to increase women’s voice and participation in decision-making. They include implementing quotas or reserved seats systems; ensuring that women know how election processes work and about campaign methods and financing; and requiring attention to be given to gender balance in public administrative structures.

Some 50 countries have now legislated for quotas in electoral and political party laws, and hundreds of political parties have adopted quotas as a voluntary measure. Quotas are the single, most effective, and quickest measure for increasing the numbers of women in elected office. I understand that we will hear more about them from Drude Dahlerup in the first panel today.

To make progress on gender equality in political systems, it is critical to engage political parties. They provide structures for political participation, formulate policies, and select candidates for political office. They can be key enablers for women’s participation, but so often they have been the key bottlenecks.

With partners like the National Democratic Institute (NDI), UNDP helps to establish global best practice in political parties promoting stronger women’s involvement. I understand that you will also hear more about this from our NDI colleagues later today.

Efforts to achieve gender equality in elected office need to be matched in public administrations too. UNDP has recently launched an initiative to promote greater gender equality in public administrations.

A lot of attention across the United Nations system is being given to the inclusion of women in reconciliation and peace-building processes in post-conflict countries. For peace and recovery to be sustainable, women must be part of designing the new systems of governance, policies, and services. Democratic governance, fully inclusive of women can help ensure that past discrimination is dealt to as new institutions are built, laws are rewritten, and development priorities are decided.

Promoting gender equality and democratic governance benefit from strong partnerships. The International Network of Women in Politics – iKNOW Politics, a collaborative effort of NDI, IDEA, IPU, UN Women, and UNDP, is one such example. This global on-line forum provides relevant knowledge in support of efforts to increase women’s political participation. It is currently facilitating the sharing of stories and testimony of women within the Arab States region and with other regions and countries.

Conclusion

Today’s roundtable invites us to address the issues of gender equality and democracy together. Gender equality must be a feature of democratic governance for the latter to be worthy of its name.

By promoting both simultaneously we not only promote the equal human rights of women and men, but we also accelerate development progress. 

To know more about UNDP work please click here.

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 equality

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights and a rich body of international human rights law and treaties promote equal rights for people everywhere to freedom, inclusion, and representation. The challenge is to realize these rights for all in practice.

To me, it is self-evident that democratic governance cannot be fully achieved without the full participation and inclusion of women. Those without voice are so easily ignored by those who have it. Without the full participation of women in decision-making processes and debates about policy priorities and options, issues of great importance to women will either be neglected, or the way in which they are addressed will be sub-optimal and uninformed by women’s perspectives.

Around the world, UNDP helps countries to build the inclusive economies, societies, and governance which will lift human development. Human development is about enabling people to expand their freedoms and choices to live lives which they value. Democratic governance helps deliver that, and also contributes to the social cohesion and peace which is required for sustained development.

The democratic governance portfolio is a very important part of UNDP’s work. Our programmes in this area reach 132 countries, and account for more than one third of our resources. We support countries’ efforts to strengthen their democratic institutions through free and fair elections, and to establish environments in which political parties, vibrant civil society, and free and ethical media can flourish.

UNDP is the UN system’s lead provider of technical assistance to elections. From 2008 to 2010 alone, we provided electoral assistance to 64 countries and territories. We are currently working with more than 120 countries on reform of public administration and/or strengthening governance.

To be judged successful, all this work must contribute to empowering women and pursuing gender equality. We need to see more women elected, voting, involved in participatory processes generally, and well represented in public administrations.

There is evidence to suggest that where women have a strong presence on local councils, they are likely to use their weight to support investments in areas like water and sanitation which are so critical to human health and development. In my own experience, priority for policies like paid parental leave, child care, family friendly workplaces, and much more only materializes when women are active participants in policy debate and prominent in decision-making processes.

It is very important then for women’s political participation at all levels and representation in public administrations to be strengthened so that they can have a strong voice in the setting of development policy and priorities.

Yet achieving that can be a long struggle. National political office, for example, remains one of the most difficult places for women to reach in significant numbers in many societies. Women still comprise only nineteen per cent of the world’s parliamentarians – far from the thirty per cent target set in Beijing in 1995.

As well, women continue to be under-represented overall in public administrations, particularly at the middle and senior levels.

There are a number of proven ways to increase women’s voice and participation in decision-making. They include implementing quotas or reserved seats systems; ensuring that women know how election processes work and about campaign methods and financing; and requiring attention to be given to gender balance in public administrative structures.

Some 50 countries have now legislated for quotas in electoral and political party laws, and hundreds of political parties have adopted quotas as a voluntary measure. Quotas are the single, most effective, and quickest measure for increasing the numbers of women in elected office. I understand that we will hear more about them from Drude Dahlerup in the first panel today.

To make progress on gender equality in political systems, it is critical to engage political parties. They provide structures for political participation, formulate policies, and select candidates for political office. They can be key enablers for women’s participation, but so often they have been the key bottlenecks.

With partners like the National Democratic Institute (NDI), UNDP helps to establish global best practice in political parties promoting stronger women’s involvement. I understand that you will also hear more about this from our NDI colleagues later today.

Efforts to achieve gender equality in elected office need to be matched in public administrations too. UNDP has recently launched an initiative to promote greater gender equality in public administrations.

A lot of attention across the United Nations system is being given to the inclusion of women in reconciliation and peace-building processes in post-conflict countries. For peace and recovery to be sustainable, women must be part of designing the new systems of governance, policies, and services. Democratic governance, fully inclusive of women can help ensure that past discrimination is dealt to as new institutions are built, laws are rewritten, and development priorities are decided.

Promoting gender equality and democratic governance benefit from strong partnerships. The International Network of Women in Politics – iKNOW Politics, a collaborative effort of NDI, IDEA, IPU, UN Women, and UNDP, is one such example. This global on-line forum provides relevant knowledge in support of efforts to increase women’s political participation. It is currently facilitating the sharing of stories and testimony of women within the Arab States region and with other regions and countries.

Conclusion

Today’s roundtable invites us to address the issues of gender equality and democracy together. Gender equality must be a feature of democratic governance for the latter to be worthy of its name.

By promoting both simultaneously we not only promote the equal human rights of women and men, but we also accelerate development progress. 

To know more about UNDP work please click here.

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 equality

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights and a rich body of international human rights law and treaties promote equal rights for people everywhere to freedom, inclusion, and representation. The challenge is to realize these rights for all in practice.

To me, it is self-evident that democratic governance cannot be fully achieved without the full participation and inclusion of women. Those without voice are so easily ignored by those who have it. Without the full participation of women in decision-making processes and debates about policy priorities and options, issues of great importance to women will either be neglected, or the way in which they are addressed will be sub-optimal and uninformed by women’s perspectives.

Around the world, UNDP helps countries to build the inclusive economies, societies, and governance which will lift human development. Human development is about enabling people to expand their freedoms and choices to live lives which they value. Democratic governance helps deliver that, and also contributes to the social cohesion and peace which is required for sustained development.

The democratic governance portfolio is a very important part of UNDP’s work. Our programmes in this area reach 132 countries, and account for more than one third of our resources. We support countries’ efforts to strengthen their democratic institutions through free and fair elections, and to establish environments in which political parties, vibrant civil society, and free and ethical media can flourish.

UNDP is the UN system’s lead provider of technical assistance to elections. From 2008 to 2010 alone, we provided electoral assistance to 64 countries and territories. We are currently working with more than 120 countries on reform of public administration and/or strengthening governance.

To be judged successful, all this work must contribute to empowering women and pursuing gender equality. We need to see more women elected, voting, involved in participatory processes generally, and well represented in public administrations.

There is evidence to suggest that where women have a strong presence on local councils, they are likely to use their weight to support investments in areas like water and sanitation which are so critical to human health and development. In my own experience, priority for policies like paid parental leave, child care, family friendly workplaces, and much more only materializes when women are active participants in policy debate and prominent in decision-making processes.

It is very important then for women’s political participation at all levels and representation in public administrations to be strengthened so that they can have a strong voice in the setting of development policy and priorities.

Yet achieving that can be a long struggle. National political office, for example, remains one of the most difficult places for women to reach in significant numbers in many societies. Women still comprise only nineteen per cent of the world’s parliamentarians – far from the thirty per cent target set in Beijing in 1995.

As well, women continue to be under-represented overall in public administrations, particularly at the middle and senior levels.

There are a number of proven ways to increase women’s voice and participation in decision-making. They include implementing quotas or reserved seats systems; ensuring that women know how election processes work and about campaign methods and financing; and requiring attention to be given to gender balance in public administrative structures.

Some 50 countries have now legislated for quotas in electoral and political party laws, and hundreds of political parties have adopted quotas as a voluntary measure. Quotas are the single, most effective, and quickest measure for increasing the numbers of women in elected office. I understand that we will hear more about them from Drude Dahlerup in the first panel today.

To make progress on gender equality in political systems, it is critical to engage political parties. They provide structures for political participation, formulate policies, and select candidates for political office. They can be key enablers for women’s participation, but so often they have been the key bottlenecks.

With partners like the National Democratic Institute (NDI), UNDP helps to establish global best practice in political parties promoting stronger women’s involvement. I understand that you will also hear more about this from our NDI colleagues later today.

Efforts to achieve gender equality in elected office need to be matched in public administrations too. UNDP has recently launched an initiative to promote greater gender equality in public administrations.

A lot of attention across the United Nations system is being given to the inclusion of women in reconciliation and peace-building processes in post-conflict countries. For peace and recovery to be sustainable, women must be part of designing the new systems of governance, policies, and services. Democratic governance, fully inclusive of women can help ensure that past discrimination is dealt to as new institutions are built, laws are rewritten, and development priorities are decided.

Promoting gender equality and democratic governance benefit from strong partnerships. The International Network of Women in Politics – iKNOW Politics, a collaborative effort of NDI, IDEA, IPU, UN Women, and UNDP, is one such example. This global on-line forum provides relevant knowledge in support of efforts to increase women’s political participation. It is currently facilitating the sharing of stories and testimony of women within the Arab States region and with other regions and countries.

Conclusion

Today’s roundtable invites us to address the issues of gender equality and democracy together. Gender equality must be a feature of democratic governance for the latter to be worthy of its name.

By promoting both simultaneously we not only promote the equal human rights of women and men, but we also accelerate development progress. 

To know more about UNDP work please click here.

UN Resident Coordinator in Vietnam John Hendra has received the “For the Development of Vietnamese Women” insignia for his great contributions to fostering gender equality and the advancement of Vietnamese women.

President of the Vietnam Women’s Union (VWU) Nguyen Thi Thanh Hoa presented the noble reward to the UN Coordinator in Hanoi on May 11. She expressed a wish that on his new position as Deputy to the Executive Director of the UN Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women), he will continue to focus attention on gender equality and support for Vietnam in fulfilling the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

To read the complete news please visit Vietnam Plus.

UN Resident Coordinator in Vietnam John Hendra has received the “For the Development of Vietnamese Women” insignia for his great contributions to fostering gender equality and the advancement of Vietnamese women.

President of the Vietnam Women’s Union (VWU) Nguyen Thi Thanh Hoa presented the noble reward to the UN Coordinator in Hanoi on May 11. She expressed a wish that on his new position as Deputy to the Executive Director of the UN Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women), he will continue to focus attention on gender equality and support for Vietnam in fulfilling the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

To read the complete news please visit Vietnam Plus.

UN Resident Coordinator in Vietnam John Hendra has received the “For the Development of Vietnamese Women” insignia for his great contributions to fostering gender equality and the advancement of Vietnamese women.

President of the Vietnam Women’s Union (VWU) Nguyen Thi Thanh Hoa presented the noble reward to the UN Coordinator in Hanoi on May 11. She expressed a wish that on his new position as Deputy to the Executive Director of the UN Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women), he will continue to focus attention on gender equality and support for Vietnam in fulfilling the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

To read the complete news please visit Vietnam Plus.

Over 150 women leaders from civil society, government, academia, and political parties convened in Yerevan on May 18 for a two-day conference organized by the National Democratic Institute (NDI) and USAID, with support from the British Embassy and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The conference on “Supporting Women’s Political Participation in Armenia: A Nationwide Women’s Conference and Women’s Platform” aimed to bring greater attention to women’s issues and increase women’s political representation and participation in Armenia.

For more information, please visit: NDI

Over 150 women leaders from civil society, government, academia, and political parties convened in Yerevan on May 18 for a two-day conference organized by the National Democratic Institute (NDI) and USAID, with support from the British Embassy and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The conference on “Supporting Women’s Political Participation in Armenia: A Nationwide Women’s Conference and Women’s Platform” aimed to bring greater attention to women’s issues and increase women’s political representation and participation in Armenia.

For more information, please visit: NDI

Over 150 women leaders from civil society, government, academia, and political parties convened in Yerevan on May 18 for a two-day conference organized by the National Democratic Institute (NDI) and USAID, with support from the British Embassy and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The conference on “Supporting Women’s Political Participation in Armenia: A Nationwide Women’s Conference and Women’s Platform” aimed to bring greater attention to women’s issues and increase women’s political representation and participation in Armenia.

For more information, please visit: NDI

NDI organized a public signing ceremony to launch a code of conduct for snap parliamentary elections on June 5. Though not legally binding, the document was signed by leaders of 38 political parties who pledged to respect all politicians’ freedom to campaign. The president of the national assembly, the president of the state electoral commission, representatives from civil society and heads of foreign missions attended the ceremony, which received wide coverage in the media.

The code calls for parties to respect the electoral law and foster a tolerant campaign atmosphere free of violent or intimidating rhetoric, fraud, bribery and proxy voting with the goal of encouraging a fair,inclusive, peaceful, transparent and accountable election process.

To read the complete article please visit www.ndi.org

NDI organized a public signing ceremony to launch a code of conduct for snap parliamentary elections on June 5. Though not legally binding, the document was signed by leaders of 38 political parties who pledged to respect all politicians’ freedom to campaign. The president of the national assembly, the president of the state electoral commission, representatives from civil society and heads of foreign missions attended the ceremony, which received wide coverage in the media.

The code calls for parties to respect the electoral law and foster a tolerant campaign atmosphere free of violent or intimidating rhetoric, fraud, bribery and proxy voting with the goal of encouraging a fair,inclusive, peaceful, transparent and accountable election process.

To read the complete article please visit www.ndi.org

NDI organized a public signing ceremony to launch a code of conduct for snap parliamentary elections on June 5. Though not legally binding, the document was signed by leaders of 38 political parties who pledged to respect all politicians’ freedom to campaign. The president of the national assembly, the president of the state electoral commission, representatives from civil society and heads of foreign missions attended the ceremony, which received wide coverage in the media.

The code calls for parties to respect the electoral law and foster a tolerant campaign atmosphere free of violent or intimidating rhetoric, fraud, bribery and proxy voting with the goal of encouraging a fair,inclusive, peaceful, transparent and accountable election process.

To read the complete article please visit www.ndi.org

Pavlodar Regional School of Management in collaboration with UNDP Kazakhstan and support of UNDEF held a series of trainings for women, rural youth, and people with disabilities on participation in elections, electoral law and its practice. 

To read the complete article pease visit www.undp.kz

Pavlodar Regional School of Management in collaboration with UNDP Kazakhstan and support of UNDEF held a series of trainings for women, rural youth, and people with disabilities on participation in elections, electoral law and its practice. 

To read the complete article pease visit www.undp.kz

Pavlodar Regional School of Management in collaboration with UNDP Kazakhstan and support of UNDEF held a series of trainings for women, rural youth, and people with disabilities on participation in elections, electoral law and its practice. 

To read the complete article pease visit www.undp.kz

This is an event that will be held in Cairo on June 1, 2011 and will be hosted by International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance- IDEA, iKnow Politics and Nazra for Feminist Studies.

The event will be organized to share civil society domestic experience in monitoring the elections, presenting a manual guide on "Monitoring elections from a gender perspective"  providing an overview situation of monitoring elections in Latin America and came of recommendations and tools to reach effective election monitoring for next parliamentary elections in Egypt.

This is an event that will be held in Cairo on June 1, 2011 and will be hosted by International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance- IDEA, iKnow Politics and Nazra for Feminist Studies.

The event will be organized to share civil society domestic experience in monitoring the elections, presenting a manual guide on "Monitoring elections from a gender perspective"  providing an overview situation of monitoring elections in Latin America and came of recommendations and tools to reach effective election monitoring for next parliamentary elections in Egypt.

This is an event that will be held in Cairo on June 1, 2011 and will be hosted by International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance- IDEA, iKnow Politics and Nazra for Feminist Studies.

The event will be organized to share civil society domestic experience in monitoring the elections, presenting a manual guide on "Monitoring elections from a gender perspective"  providing an overview situation of monitoring elections in Latin America and came of recommendations and tools to reach effective election monitoring for next parliamentary elections in Egypt.

Michelle Bachelet,  the Executive Director of the UN Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) reiterated that economic empowerment of women, political participation, ending gender-based violence and raising women’s involvement in post-conflict peacebuilding are the priorities of the UN Women. 

To read the complete statement please visit UN News Centre.

Michelle Bachelet,  the Executive Director of the UN Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) reiterated that economic empowerment of women, political participation, ending gender-based violence and raising women’s involvement in post-conflict peacebuilding are the priorities of the UN Women. 

To read the complete statement please visit UN News Centre.