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African Women Convene to Deliberate and Strategize on Political Leadership

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African Women Convene to Deliberate and Strategize on Political Leadership

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African women from 15 countries across the continent gathered in Nairobi, Kenya from April 23rd to the 24th to deliberate and strategize on women's political leadership in Africa. Convened by FEMNET (African Women's Development and Communication Network) and Urgent Action Fund – Africa (UAF-Africa), the meeting engaged seasoned politicians, aspirants, women's rights activists, leading organizations engaged in enhancing women's political leadership, donors, UN agencies and the media.

African women from 15 countries across the continent gathered in Nairobi, Kenya from April 23rd to the 24th to deliberate and strategize on women's political leadership in Africa. Convened by FEMNET (African Women's Development and Communication Network) and Urgent Action Fund – Africa (UAF-Africa), the meeting engaged seasoned politicians, aspirants, women's rights activists, leading organizations engaged in enhancing women's political leadership, donors, UN agencies and the media.

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CAR President Catherine Samba-Panza inspires Congolese women politicians

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CAR President Catherine Samba-Panza inspires Congolese women politicians

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In Sub-Saharan Africa, where women hold just 23 percent of the seats in national parliaments and there are only three women heads of state, Catherine Samba-Panza, president of the Central African Republic (CAR), is an inspirational figure. Her position as the first female president of a Francophone country is a powerful symbol for African women, showing they can succeed even in countries where armed conflict, corruption and inequality have been the norm.

In Sub-Saharan Africa, where women hold just 23 percent of the seats in national parliaments and there are only three women heads of state, Catherine Samba-Panza, president of the Central African Republic (CAR), is an inspirational figure. Her position as the first female president of a Francophone country is a powerful symbol for African women, showing they can succeed even in countries where armed conflict, corruption and inequality have been the norm.

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India election 2014: The woman calling for Narendra Modi to take responsibility for mass murder

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India election 2014: The woman calling for Narendra Modi to take responsibility for mass murder

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Minutes before he was hacked to death by a Hindu mob, veteran Muslim politician Ehsan Jafri reached for his phone and dialled one last number.

For the dozens of neighbours also cowering in his home, it seemed like their only chance.

At the other end of line, Mr Jafri told them, was Narendra Modi, the powerful Hindu politician who is widely expected to become India’s new prime minister next month.

Minutes before he was hacked to death by a Hindu mob, veteran Muslim politician Ehsan Jafri reached for his phone and dialled one last number.

For the dozens of neighbours also cowering in his home, it seemed like their only chance.

At the other end of line, Mr Jafri told them, was Narendra Modi, the powerful Hindu politician who is widely expected to become India’s new prime minister next month.

World News

India, the message is clear: women want a say in politics

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India, the message is clear: women want a say in politics

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In 1952, a decade after the Indian independence activist Aruna Asaf Ali hoisted the flag of the Indian National Congress at the Gowalia Tank maidan, India held its first general elections. Women had come out in massive numbers to take part in the marches and rallies of the Indian freedom movement, and had filled the prisons of the British Raj alongside the men. Now they thronged in equally large numbers to see for themselves the new ballot boxes, and to cast their votes.

In 1952, a decade after the Indian independence activist Aruna Asaf Ali hoisted the flag of the Indian National Congress at the Gowalia Tank maidan, India held its first general elections. Women had come out in massive numbers to take part in the marches and rallies of the Indian freedom movement, and had filled the prisons of the British Raj alongside the men. Now they thronged in equally large numbers to see for themselves the new ballot boxes, and to cast their votes.

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Why Fianna Fáil isn’t meeting local election target on female candidates

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Why Fianna Fáil isn’t meeting local election target on female candidates

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In the halls of Leinster House, Constance Markievicz cuts a lonely figure as the only portrait of a female parliamentarian in the entire building.

When I pass her portrait, I often think this trailblazing woman would be horrified that the party she helped establish doesn’t have a single female TD today.

Electoral research shows once women get on the ballot paper they have the same chance of getting elected as their male counterparts.

In the halls of Leinster House, Constance Markievicz cuts a lonely figure as the only portrait of a female parliamentarian in the entire building.

When I pass her portrait, I often think this trailblazing woman would be horrified that the party she helped establish doesn’t have a single female TD today.

Electoral research shows once women get on the ballot paper they have the same chance of getting elected as their male counterparts.

World News

30 women to enter Practice Parliament in Tonga

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30 women to enter Practice Parliament in Tonga

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Thirty representatives will take part in Tonga's first “Practice Parliament for Women” on April 10-11 in Nuku'alofa, a two-day event that aims to encourage women to run for parliament in the upcoming 2014 General Election in November.

Lord Fakafanua the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly last week announced the names of 28 candidates picked from a pool of applicants. They include nine “noble's representatives”, 17 “people's representatives” and two representatives elected by the Prime Minister from outside.

Thirty representatives will take part in Tonga's first “Practice Parliament for Women” on April 10-11 in Nuku'alofa, a two-day event that aims to encourage women to run for parliament in the upcoming 2014 General Election in November.

Lord Fakafanua the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly last week announced the names of 28 candidates picked from a pool of applicants. They include nine “noble's representatives”, 17 “people's representatives” and two representatives elected by the Prime Minister from outside.

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Women Playing an Unusually Public Role in Afghan Elections

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Women Playing an Unusually Public Role in Afghan Elections

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The campaign for Saturday's presidential election in Afghanistan is featuring women in a more prominent role than ever before. One front-runner has a female running mate, and another has let his wife address campaign rallies—major departures from established practice in a conservative, Islamic country where women have long been kept out of politics.

Activists say the relative prominence of women in the election campaign underlines the progress Afghan women have made since the U.S. ousted the Taliban regime in 2001.

The campaign for Saturday's presidential election in Afghanistan is featuring women in a more prominent role than ever before. One front-runner has a female running mate, and another has let his wife address campaign rallies—major departures from established practice in a conservative, Islamic country where women have long been kept out of politics.

Activists say the relative prominence of women in the election campaign underlines the progress Afghan women have made since the U.S. ousted the Taliban regime in 2001.

World News

Twitter Trolls in India: Sexist abuse as a tool to muzzle women

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Twitter Trolls in India: Sexist abuse as a tool to muzzle women

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The social media experience which came across as a liberating tool for women, was often equated with a living room where one could voice opinions in public sphere. However, of late, a series of incidents have sounded a note of caution against the euphoria around social media. It has been compared to a street where women are abused, threatened, ogled at, rebuked, only virtually.

We invite you to read the full article published April 1 2014

The social media experience which came across as a liberating tool for women, was often equated with a living room where one could voice opinions in public sphere. However, of late, a series of incidents have sounded a note of caution against the euphoria around social media. It has been compared to a street where women are abused, threatened, ogled at, rebuked, only virtually.

We invite you to read the full article published April 1 2014

World News

GAMBIA: GAMCOTRAP & Co. Train Women On Leadership

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GAMBIA: GAMCOTRAP & Co. Train Women On Leadership

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Women from five West African countries converged at the Paradise Suites Hotel from 24 to 28th March 2014 to receive training on leadership skills. The five day training of the women activists from diverse walks of life was organised with the support of Women's Empowerment And Leadership Development For Democratisation (WELDD) and Women Living Under Muslim laws (WLUML) in collaboration with GAMCOTRAP .

Women from five West African countries converged at the Paradise Suites Hotel from 24 to 28th March 2014 to receive training on leadership skills. The five day training of the women activists from diverse walks of life was organised with the support of Women's Empowerment And Leadership Development For Democratisation (WELDD) and Women Living Under Muslim laws (WLUML) in collaboration with GAMCOTRAP .