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Women's political participation

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How the Bicycle Paved the Way for Women's Rights

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How the Bicycle Paved the Way for Women's Rights

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The bicycle, when it was still new technology, went through a series of rapid iterations in the 19th century before it really went mainstream. Designers toyed with different-sized front and back wheels, the addition of chains and cranks and pedals, and tested a slew of braking mechanisms. 

By the 1890s, America was totally obsessed with the bicycle—which by then looked pretty much like the ones we ride today.

The bicycle, when it was still new technology, went through a series of rapid iterations in the 19th century before it really went mainstream. Designers toyed with different-sized front and back wheels, the addition of chains and cranks and pedals, and tested a slew of braking mechanisms. 

By the 1890s, America was totally obsessed with the bicycle—which by then looked pretty much like the ones we ride today.

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Law to boost female representation in municipalities passes, Israel

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Law to boost female representation in municipalities passes, Israel

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A measure rewarding municipal parties with women on their lists became law Monday night, with 57 in favor and 14 against it, despite outspoken haredi opposition.

A measure rewarding municipal parties with women on their lists became law Monday night, with 57 in favor and 14 against it, despite outspoken haredi opposition.

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Committee says gender gap threatens development goals, Cambodia

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Committee says gender gap threatens development goals, Cambodia

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Cambodian women continue to be poorly represented in government following commune elections in May, the Committee to Promote Women in Politics said yesterday.

This reality, the committee said, is endangering the Kingdom’s chances of meeting its UN Millennium Development Goals.

We invite our users to read the complete article published June 24 2014

Cambodian women continue to be poorly represented in government following commune elections in May, the Committee to Promote Women in Politics said yesterday.

This reality, the committee said, is endangering the Kingdom’s chances of meeting its UN Millennium Development Goals.

We invite our users to read the complete article published June 24 2014

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Bahrainis encouraged to take active part in parliamentary elections

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Bahrainis encouraged to take active part in parliamentary elections

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The new constitution allowed women to run as candidates in the parliament and municipal elections. While no woman won a seat in 2002, Lateefa A Gaood in 2006 made Bahrain and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) history when she became the first GCC woman to be elected to parliament. The outgoing Council of Representatives has five elected women.

The new constitution allowed women to run as candidates in the parliament and municipal elections. While no woman won a seat in 2002, Lateefa A Gaood in 2006 made Bahrain and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) history when she became the first GCC woman to be elected to parliament. The outgoing Council of Representatives has five elected women.

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Female political participation in the Pacific

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Female political participation in the Pacific

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Last week I was in Tahiti (yes, I know) for PIPSA, the biannual Pacific Islands Political Science Association conference, to discuss China's role in the region and the influence Pacific island governments have in negotiating Chinese financing (more on that research in a forthcoming post).

Last week I was in Tahiti (yes, I know) for PIPSA, the biannual Pacific Islands Political Science Association conference, to discuss China's role in the region and the influence Pacific island governments have in negotiating Chinese financing (more on that research in a forthcoming post).

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Afghanistan’s first ever female cabbie meters out election advice

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Afghanistan’s first ever female cabbie meters out election advice

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When Afghan taxi driver Sara Bahai has male passengers in her cab, she takes the chance to lobby them on female rights — and she hopes the country’s next president will also listen to her.


Bahai has been driving the streets of Mazar-i-Sharif city for 10 years, during which Afghanistan has experienced huge changes, including limited improvements in the lives of many women after the harsh years of Taliban rule.

When Afghan taxi driver Sara Bahai has male passengers in her cab, she takes the chance to lobby them on female rights — and she hopes the country’s next president will also listen to her.


Bahai has been driving the streets of Mazar-i-Sharif city for 10 years, during which Afghanistan has experienced huge changes, including limited improvements in the lives of many women after the harsh years of Taliban rule.

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Finland seeks more women in politics

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Finland seeks more women in politics

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FINNISH ambassador to Zambia Pertti Anttinen is concerned about low levels of women’s participation in politics in Zambia. Mr Anttinen also said Zambia should recommit itself to enhancing gender equality through various regional and international instruments. “At the local government level, only six percent of councillors are women while at the national level, women representation is at 11.4 percent,” Mr Anttinen said.

FINNISH ambassador to Zambia Pertti Anttinen is concerned about low levels of women’s participation in politics in Zambia. Mr Anttinen also said Zambia should recommit itself to enhancing gender equality through various regional and international instruments. “At the local government level, only six percent of councillors are women while at the national level, women representation is at 11.4 percent,” Mr Anttinen said.

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Women’s Parliamentary Caucuses as agents of change

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Women’s Parliamentary Caucuses as agents of change

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Nation-building processes cannot work and development goals cannot be achieved if women are denied meaningful political participation. To ensure this, Pakistan’s Parliament introduced in 2002 a 17 percent gender quota in all legislative houses.

But despite accounting for 22 percent of the federal parliament, from 2002 to 2007, women could not achieve much in terms of lawmaking except the Women’s Protection Act. In the subsequent mandate of 2008-2013, however, women made more progress, overseeing policy implementation and raising important issues in all Houses.

Nation-building processes cannot work and development goals cannot be achieved if women are denied meaningful political participation. To ensure this, Pakistan’s Parliament introduced in 2002 a 17 percent gender quota in all legislative houses.

But despite accounting for 22 percent of the federal parliament, from 2002 to 2007, women could not achieve much in terms of lawmaking except the Women’s Protection Act. In the subsequent mandate of 2008-2013, however, women made more progress, overseeing policy implementation and raising important issues in all Houses.