women's empowerment

While President Barack Obama's State of the Union speech on Jan. 28 fell short of the peroration about economic inequality that partisans had either hoped or feared, it did offer women's groups a chance to showcase political and legislative priorities.

Regardless of the role or industry in question, networking is often an essential part of the modern day-to-day job. We all build up an array of contacts during our professional lives and we learn from the people we meet and work with. As a professional political consultant, I can vouch for this being as true in Westminster as anywhere else; and I believe that building on these networks is the key to making Parliament a more female-friendly workplace.

Last night, CBS introduced us to Cathy McMorris Rodgers, who delivered the Republican response to the State of the Union Address, with just three sentences: “She chairs the House GOP conference, which means she ranks fourth in the House leadership. She’s married to a retired naval officer. They have three young children, including a two-month old.” Short, sweet, and to the point. The point being that she’s a mom.

THE Seanad chamber is always a handy place for a parliamentary photo shoot. For a start, it's a beautiful room, all corniced high ceilings, sparkly chandeliers and plush blue leather seats.

Secondly, it's as under-used as a copy of Mao's 'Little Red Book' would be at a Reform Alliance monster meeting.

We invite you to read the full article published January 29, 2014

Prior to Tuesday night, the last time Republicans tapped a woman to deliver the party's official State of the Union response came in 1995, when former New Jersey Gov. Christine Whitman (R) followed former President Bill Clinton's address.

I do not consider myself to be a very political person. I pay a healthy amount of attention to politics during big election years and I enjoy the occasional West Wing rerun, but I certainly wouldn’t want to engage in a debate any time soon. However, I feel like I should know more and care more about politics so I do try to make an effort to pay attention.

A controversial election in Thailand will proceed as scheduled Sunday despite threats of continued violence from antigovernment protesters and fear that the result will only deepen the country's eight-year political crisis.

It is a South African political match made in heaven: a revered black academic, international activist and former freedom fighter – Dr Mamphela Ramphele - joins the rising, but still largely white, main opposition party in South Africa to lead it in polls this year.