During the past 30 years, great strides have been made to advance the role and position of women in politics in the Americas. The 1990s in particular witnessed impressive advances in women’s political leadership in this region, mainly due to the use of quotas, a shift in political will and international encouragement.

As a global knowledge network, iKNOW Politics provides a forum for information and knowledge exchange through multiple online tools, particularly discussion circles.

This feature is designed to engage users and members in active dialogue on topics of their choice that address the specific challenges faced by women leaders and candidates. Members are invited to initiate new discussion circles and contribute to ongoing discussions in English, French and Spanish. Additionally, members can use the discussion circles to request information and insight on specific issues from the iKNOW Politics experts.

Traditionally, women do not have an equal role in the formal economy. Obtaining and maintaining accounting and budgeting skills is necessary to combat the many stereotypes and obstacles women face.

Although decision-making can come quite naturally to women, particularly female politicians, there are targeted training materials that can help women make decisions in deliberate and strategic ways.

While many women are already experienced in crisis management, there are various training tools and practical resources to help women learn how to manage crises more effectively. Crisis management skills can include recognizing the potential for crisis and working to forestall it, as well as reacting quickly and effectively once it occurs.

Despite recent advances in technology usage, the digital divide still has a disproportionate impact on women. In today’s international and political climate, women in politics must be computer-literate in order to effectively access and disseminate information.

Although much of the iKNOW Politics network is dedicated to increasing women’s political knowledge and participation, there are a number of skills that, while not explicitly political, are necessary to succeed in politics.

Voter outreach must be a focal point of any campaign, as ensuring voter turnout requires persuasion. Important components of voter outreach include: Raising issues of concern; educating voters on such issues and a candidate’s overall platform; registering voters and mobilizing them to vote for a candidate or an issue.

Voter outreach must be a focal point of any campaign, as ensuring voter turnout requires persuasion. Important components of voter outreach include: Raising issues of concern; educating voters on such issues and a candidate’s overall platform; registering voters and mobilizing them to vote for a candidate or an issue.

It is critical to create a strong and consistent message that provides voters with persuasive reasons to choose your candidate or support your issue. In addition to developing an appealing message to convey your platform, it is also important to know how to effectively use the media and other communications channels and tools to publicize this message. For example, professional and social functions present opportunities for positive publicity, and public speaking skills are a key part of successfully delivering any message.

Women candidates must place a particular emphasis on raising the funds necessary to run a successful campaign. Fundraising, an inevitable part of any political campaign, allows the candidate to pay for items such as nomination fees, candidate deposits, promotional activities, transportation and a multitude of other expenses.

For women candidates, a successful campaign requires careful planning and strategizing. During the campaign planning stage, candidates set strategic campaign goals, including benchmarks for fundraising, volunteer recruitment, voter outreach and message development.