User login
 
Constituency Outreach

Parliamentarians must develop a strong network and maintain close contact with their constituencies in order to represent their interests at the national level. Collectively, women can raise gender equality issues in public debates and help forge national consensus on women’s rights. Constituency outreach relies on close ties, regular meetings and contact with the people, civil society organizations and women’s groups and associations. Collaboration with the media is also important to ensure adequate dissemination of news related to parliamentary action, including gender issues and women’s concerns.

From the Library

MPs Online: Connecting with Constituents

The report provides recommendations for MPs, constituents and for Parliament.  Primary amongst these are that MPs need to develop a policy for the use of email and strategies for digital media that define the target audience and connect with their offline strategy. Constituents benefit when MPs are online and so citizens are encouraged to promote the internet and provide examples of good practice to break down barriers amongst those MPs who are more resistant. In the digital age democracy can be driven by both sides. Finally, the report recommends a review of the licensing and re-use of content created by Parliament.

Parliamentary Oversight of Gender Equality

This handbook is designed to assist parliamentarians in carrying out their oversight role on gender by developing a better understanding of the concept, providing a summary of the budget cycle process, discussing gender budgeting, and examining the gender dimensions of parliamentary committees, as well as suggestions for changing attitudes as a strategy for achieving gender equality.

The Constituent Assembly of Nepal: An Agenda for Women

Nepal is making a new constitution, which will be a culmination of the People's Movement, and thus must be based on the aspirations of the people of Nepal. However gender-friendly Constitution may seem, it will not automatically lead to an increase in gender equality, but the process of constitution making creates an opportunity for women to make some significant progress towards the realisation of their rights. Women should not miss this chance.

There is significant number of women members of the Constituent Assembly. Some of these members are women with great knowledge and experience and understanding of the possibilities that the Constituent Assembly opens up for women. Some of the others may have a less clear idea of what a constitution is and how they can, through this process; contribute to the improvement of the position of women. The purpose of this paper is to explore the issues that women members of the Constituent Assembly, and those who in the broader society will be supporting them and hoping to work through them, will need to address in order to achieve a good constitution for the women of Nepal. It is not a paper of answers - it is more an agenda.

Gender-Sensitizing Commonwealth Parliaments

In February and March 2001 the CPA, with the assistance of the CPA Malaysia Branch and the approval of the CPA Executive Committee, arranged a Study Group in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on Gender-Sensitizing Commonwealth Parliaments. The aims of the Study Group were set out as:

1. To share analyses, experiences and good practices of Standing Orders in Commonwealth Parliaments;
2. To identify concrete strategies and mechanisms to make Commonwealth Parliaments as gender-sensitive as possible;
3. To prioritize key areas for action, based on the recommendations of the Study Group.
 
This report Clerk of the House of Representatives of Trinidad and Tobago and Rapporteur to the Group, identifies the issues discussed by the Study Group and presents to the reader the Group’s recommendations which will assist Parliaments and their Members to understand better the difficulties faced by women Parliamentarians. In a wider perspective, it is the Association’s hope that the extensive commentary and recommendations for future action will inform many of the current debates in national and sub-national Parliaments, both within and outside the Commonwealth, and have a substantial positive impact on the way in which Parliaments conduct their business.

Report on Constituency Dialogues in Cambodia 2010

NDI‟s January to September 2010 constituency dialogues revealed significant consistencies in the concerns facing Cambodians across the program‟s 12 provinces: land conflicts; agricultural challenges, particularly irrigation needs and access to markets; pervasive corruption, especially among local authorities; unequal application of the law and lack of justice for the poor; and infrastructure and development needs, such as roads, health centers, schools, and electricity. There were remarkably few differences in the main issues from those in NDI‟s CD program the previous year. In 2010, NDI found that Cambodians had a pervasive sense that although their country‟s economy was growing, this development was benefiting the rich and connected, and not the average Cambodian. Feelings of frustration and dissatisfaction underscored people‟s remarks, and participants were outspoken and critical at the events.

Consolidated Response on the Impact of Illiteracy on Young Women's Political Participation

In electoral and decision-making processes, women - and especially young women - often find themselves spectators rather than active participants. While there are many factors at play, non-education stands out as one of the key reasons for the lack of young women’s political participation. Women remain disproportionally affected by illiteracy in all parts of the world, but in Africa and Asia in particular girls face considerable difficulties acquiring basic reading and writing skills.

This consolidated response will first discuss how illiteracy and non-education affect political participation for young women. It will then examine how these issues can best be tackled by reviewing a number of strategies, policies and special programmes that have been used around the world to tackle illiteracy and help girls and young women engage in politics.

Report of Parallel NGO Electoral Campaign for Women Candidates in Slovenia

Women’s Lobby in Slovenia took active part in the EWL 50-50 Campaign for the election of the European parliament in 2009. The Women’s Lobby of Slovenia decided to organize and lead so called parallel electoral campaign. This report captures the outcomes of the EWL and Women's Lobby of Slovenia 50-50 Campaign.

Ina Puken Tula Tuen Lewotana - The Woman Who Changed the World

This video introduces Petronela Peni, the first woman village head in Flores. Gender inequality in her customs made the struggles of Peni and her women colleagues difficult, but gradually she won the trust and support of her people. As a village leader Peni is trying to make breakthroughs in simplifying funeral and wedding rituals which have been financially burdening poor villagers. Click below to watch the video:

Democracy at the Local Level in East and Southern Africa: Profiles in Governance

Report on findings and recommendations from comprehensive evaluations of democracy at the local level in four cities in East and Southern Africa. It includes the Local Democracy Assessment Methodology developed by IDEA.

Service and Accountability: Representing The People

This guidebook describes the roles and responsibilities of members of parliament highlighting their roles as legislators, parliamentary committee members, and public servants. It includes examples and references to the practices used in the Republic of Macedonia. The guidebook also discusses the keys to being a successful member of parliament, including strategies to create strong relationships with the media and constituents.