This document provides an overview of the political context and opportunities for women within that environment. It discusses the major political actors and institutions, including government, political parties, media, civil society, and others. It examines the status of women in politics, noting that while women's representation in parliament has increased, men still hold the vast majority of executive positions. The document also identifies some of the key obstacles that hinder women's political participation, such as structural barriers, social/cultural norms, lack of time and resources. Finally, it discusses some mechanisms that can help mobilize women for change, such as women's parliamentary caucuses, civil society organizations, and cross-sector groups.

1. Political Context and
Environment
Politics 101
The National Democratic Institute

2. INTRODUCTIONS/
GROUND RULES
• Introductions
• Ground Rules
• Ice Breaker Exercise

3. OBJECTIVE
• To understand the
political context
and opportunities
for women within
this environment
Photo: Amy Hamelin , NDI

4. POLITICAL CONTEXT TOPICS
• Political actors and institutions
• Status of women in politics
• Access points and opportunities for
women in politics

5. POLITICAL ACTORS
• Media
• Private sector
• Government
• Political parties
• Civil society and international NGOs
• Academia
• Institutions

6. MEDIA
• Freedom of the press?
• Diversity and types of media
• Ethics and gender-sensitivity
Photo: National Democratic Institute

7. MEDIA
• Reports political developments
• Covers elections and candidates
• Opinion-editorials can influence public
• Informs the public

8. GOVERNMENT
• Daily administration of the state
• Provide basic services to citizens
• Implement policies of party/platform

9. POLITICAL PARTIES AND
COALITIONS
• Competing in elections to gain influence
• Aggregating and representing social
interests
• Providing a structure for political
participation
• Providing policy
alternatives
• Training political
leaders Photo: National Democratic Institute

10. WOMEN IN POLITICAL PARTIES
• Importance of women as party members
and leaders
• Benefits to the party
• Women’s wings
Photo: Amy Hamelin, NDI

11. CIVIL SOCIETY
• Advocacy
• Citizen participation
• Bridge between the
public and government
• Government
monitoring
• Voter and civic
education
• Service provision
Photo: National Democratic Institute

12. WOMEN IN CIVIL SOCIETY
Women as agents of change
Photo: NDI

13. OTHER POLITICAL ACTORS
• Private sector
• Academia
• Religious leaders
• Regional/international
organizations
• Institutions

14. WOMEN IN POLITICS
• 1935: Women’s political rights
recognized
• Advances in parliament: From 9% to 14%
• 1 parliamentary committee chair
• 1 of 26 ministries headed by a woman
• Men hold 82% of executive positions

15. EXERCISE
Women’s political participation:
identifying helping and hindering forces
Image: Inter-parliamentary Union

16. MINIMUM CONDITIONS FOR
POLITICAL PARTICIPATION
• Access to positions
of power
• Transparency
• Changing cultural
norms
• Women’s
economic
empowerment
• Political will
Photo: Amy Hamelin, NDI

17. OBSTACLES TO WOMEN’S
POLITICAL PARTICIPATION
• Structural
–Legal
–Economic
–Educational
• Social/cultural/religious
• Time and space
• Physical security
• Lack of confidence

18. MOBILIZING WOMEN FOR
CHANGE: MECHANISMS
• Women’s parliamentary caucuses
• Women’s wings within political parties
• Civil society organizations
• Cross-sector groups
Photo: NDI

19. POLITICAL CONTEXT REVIEW
• Roles of political actors
• Status of women in politics
• Access points and opportunities for
women in politics
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