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Elections

The right to vote and the right to stand for election are two fundamental elements of democracy. Notably, many countries did not afford women the right to vote until the 20th Century. Even today, universal suffrage is not a given right in all countries, and women often face obstacles that undermine their participation in political and electoral processes. There are various ways to support women in overcoming these obstacles. Such methods include revising the electoral system used, applying affirmative action mechanisms such as quotas, improving voter education for women and training political candidates. These are a few of the modes available to strengthen women’s political participation .Photo©Jens Franssen

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Women in Palestine face violence and political exclusion, campaigner tells UN

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Women in Palestine face violence and political exclusion, campaigner tells UN

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Women are being shut out of Palestinian politics and excluded from peace talks, according to Randa Siniora, the first female Palestinian campaigner to address the UN security council.

Speaking at the UN on Thursday, she said that while women in the occupied territories often face the greatest violence, they are overlooked in the country’s political and humanitarian responses.

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Women are being shut out of Palestinian politics and excluded from peace talks, according to Randa Siniora, the first female Palestinian campaigner to address the UN security council.

Speaking at the UN on Thursday, she said that while women in the occupied territories often face the greatest violence, they are overlooked in the country’s political and humanitarian responses.

Ethiopia’s new 50% women cabinet isn’t just bold—it’s smart

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October 26, 2018

Ethiopia’s new 50% women cabinet isn’t just bold—it’s smart

Ethiopia’s prime minister Abiy Ahmed is rewarding women’s contributions to the nation’s progress.

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Ethiopia’s prime minister Abiy Ahmed is rewarding women’s contributions to the nation’s progress.

Women candidates rewrite the political playbook

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October 25, 2018

Women candidates rewrite the political playbook

The impact of record numbers of women candidates has already been felt this election cycle.

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The impact of record numbers of women candidates has already been felt this election cycle.

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Women candidates poised to make history in 2018 midterm elections

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Women candidates poised to make history in 2018 midterm elections

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The 1992 election is often referred to as "The Year of the Woman," as more women were elected to Congress than any year before. This year is set to be another record-breaking year by the same measure, and several women are poised to make history due to their race, religious beliefs or sexual orientation.

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The 1992 election is often referred to as "The Year of the Woman," as more women were elected to Congress than any year before. This year is set to be another record-breaking year by the same measure, and several women are poised to make history due to their race, religious beliefs or sexual orientation.

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Sahle-Work Zewde becomes Ethiopia's first female president

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Sahle-Work Zewde becomes Ethiopia's first female president

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Ethiopian members of parliament have elected Sahle-Work Zewde as the country's first female president.

Ms Sahle-Work is an experienced diplomat who has now become Africa's only female head of state.

Her election to the ceremonial position comes a week after Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed appointed a cabinet with half the posts taken up by women.

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Ethiopian members of parliament have elected Sahle-Work Zewde as the country's first female president.

Ms Sahle-Work is an experienced diplomat who has now become Africa's only female head of state.

Her election to the ceremonial position comes a week after Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed appointed a cabinet with half the posts taken up by women.

The 77 percent: Women in politics

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October 24, 2018

The 77 percent: Women in politics

Are women less corrupt than men? The Ethiopian Parliament last Tuesday approved the appointment of 20 ministers, with women also making up half of the cabinet.

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Are women less corrupt than men? The Ethiopian Parliament last Tuesday approved the appointment of 20 ministers, with women also making up half of the cabinet.

In Cambodia’s single-party politics, women are barely seen

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October 24, 2018

In Cambodia’s single-party politics, women are barely seen

KAMPOT, Cambodia — Chan Kanha is the deputy mayor for the Cambodian People’s Party in this small port town, which sits along Cambodia’s southern coast and still retains much of its French colonial architecture.

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KAMPOT, Cambodia — Chan Kanha is the deputy mayor for the Cambodian People’s Party in this small port town, which sits along Cambodia’s southern coast and still retains much of its French colonial architecture.

In the words of Tanya Gilly Khailany: “When it comes to women’s rights, there’s no room for diplomacy”

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October 23, 2018

In the words of Tanya Gilly Khailany: “When it comes to women’s rights, there’s no room for diplomacy”

Tanya Gilly Khailany, from Iraqi-Kurdistan, is a former member of the Iraqi Parliament (2006 – 2010) and a co-founder of the SEED Foundation, an organization that works with survivors of violence and trafficking in Iraq.

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Tanya Gilly Khailany, from Iraqi-Kurdistan, is a former member of the Iraqi Parliament (2006 – 2010) and a co-founder of the SEED Foundation, an organization that works with survivors of violence and trafficking in Iraq.

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