Advocacy and lobbying are activities that represent and promote the needs of specific groups in political and social arenas. One such group is women, who can collectively pressure their leaders for legislative reforms to protect and promote women’s rights and concerns. It is the goal of advocacy groups and lobbyists to ensure that both the public and politicians understand and support their cause, so that it gains strength and credibility. Securing rights and gains for women requires coalition-building, funding, civic education, awareness-raising and individuals willing to lead the way.
While the goals of advocacy and lobbying are similar, the processes are distinctly different. Advocacy involves gaining and exercising power to influence a political action. Employing methods such as demonstrations, public campaigns and civic education, advocacy can be the primary mission of international agencies and civil society organizations seeking to influence global and national decision makers. Women worldwide frequently organize themselves for advocacy purposes, drawing on their collective power to affect legislation, official policies and governmental programs. Lobbying, however, refers to influencing the government and its leaders. Lobbyists attempt to sway policy makers and legislators to address specific issues, often by introducing or revising legislation and policy. Lobbying activities may include private meetings with decision makers, public campaigns and demonstrations.
By Adina Trunk
Lilongwe — Norwegian Ambassador to Malawi, Kikkan Haugen has challenged political parties in the country to provide conducive environment for women participation in decision making positions.
He was speaking Monday during a 50-50 Campaign Media Interaction at Sunbird Capital Hotel in Lilongwe.
Lilongwe — Norwegian Ambassador to Malawi, Kikkan Haugen has challenged political parties in the country to provide conducive environment for women participation in decision making positions.
He was speaking Monday during a 50-50 Campaign Media Interaction at Sunbird Capital Hotel in Lilongwe.
Watch this documentary film about the Women’s Voices Project which is implemented by the Egyptian Center for Women’s Rights with the support of the Fund for Gender Equality of UN
Watch this documentary film about the Women’s Voices Project which is implemented by the Egyptian Center for Women’s Rights with the support of the Fund for Gender Equality of UN
This report is based on the discussions held during the International Forum on Women’s Political Empowerment, held on 7 September 2017 in Budapest, Hungary.
This report is based on the discussions held during the International Forum on Women’s Political Empowerment, held on 7 September 2017 in Budapest, Hungary.
The Representation of the People Act 1918 was undoubtedly a significant step forward for women’s rights and democracy.
It gave the to vote to around 8.5million women previously disenfranchised and abolished almost all property restrictions on men.
One hundred years later and both men and women UK residents aged 18 and over are entitled to cast their vote on polling day.
The Representation of the People Act 1918 was undoubtedly a significant step forward for women’s rights and democracy.
It gave the to vote to around 8.5million women previously disenfranchised and abolished almost all property restrictions on men.
One hundred years later and both men and women UK residents aged 18 and over are entitled to cast their vote on polling day.
Within efforts to mobilize the media to promote gender equality in the political process and in order to encourage women participation in parliamentar
BEIRUT — In a country where women occupy only three percent of the parliament seats, Lebanon's first women's affairs minister — a man — is supporting a campaign to attract more women politicians.
The government's decision to appoint him as women's minister in 2016 attracted some criticism. But Jean Oghassabian said the responsibility to support gender equality is not limited to a woman.
BEIRUT — In a country where women occupy only three percent of the parliament seats, Lebanon's first women's affairs minister — a man — is supporting a campaign to attract more women politicians.
The government's decision to appoint him as women's minister in 2016 attracted some criticism. But Jean Oghassabian said the responsibility to support gender equality is not limited to a woman.
Lebanon is campaigning to get at least five times more women elected to Parliament this spring in its first vote in nearly 10 years, the country’s first women’s affairs minister says. It is a daunting task for a Middle Eastern country that may otherwise look like one of the most liberal in the region.
Lebanon is campaigning to get at least five times more women elected to Parliament this spring in its first vote in nearly 10 years, the country’s first women’s affairs minister says. It is a daunting task for a Middle Eastern country that may otherwise look like one of the most liberal in the region.