The document discusses the roles and structures of effective political parties. It notes that political parties are a cornerstone of democracy as they represent social interests, provide policy choices, and allow citizens to participate politically. The document outlines that while parties can vary, they commonly have structures like constitutions, branches, and subgroups. It emphasizes that effective parties are transparent, democratic, and promote communication and the participation of women.

1. INTRODUCTION TO
POLITICAL PARTIES
Women and Political Parties
The National Democratic Institute

2. INTRODUCTIONS/
GROUND RULES
• Introductions
• Ground rules
• Ice breaker exercise

3. INTRODUCTION TO POLITICAL
PARTIES OBJECTIVES
• To understand the roles, functions and
organization of parties
• To consider the importance of internal
democracy to increase representation
of women
Photo: Amy Hamelin, NDI

4. INTRODUCTION TO POLITICAL
PARTIES TOPICS
• Roles of political parties
• Party elements and functions
• Internal party democracy
• Women’s participation

5. KEY TERMS
• Political party
• Democracy
• Ruling party
• Opposition
• Transparency
• Other terms?
Photo: NDI

6. EXERCISE: ROLES OF
POLITICAL PARTIES
• What are the basic roles of parties in a
democracy?
Photo: Amy Hamelin, NDI

7. ROLE OF POLITICAL PARTIES
• Competing in elections to gain influence
• Aggregating and representing social
interests
• Providing a structure for political
participation
• Providing policy alternatives
• Training political leaders

8. PARTIES AND CITIZENS
Meaningful choices in
governance
Avenues for political
participation
Exert pressure on the
political system
Put local concerns in a
national context
Citizens Political
Parties

9. CIVIL SOCIETY AND PARTIES
• CSOs: all groups outside government
• Can play an active role in politics
• Focus on fewer issues
• Do not seek political office
• Can work with a range of parties
Photo: NDI

10. PARTIES AND ELECTIONS
• Communicate competing policies
• Provide candidates
• Engage in debate
• Foster citizen participation
• Get out the vote
• Set electoral rules
• Promote electoral integrity
• Abide by results

11. PARTIES IN PARLIAMENT AND
LOCAL BODIES
• Implement legislative agenda
• Address citizens’ concerns
• Party discipline
• Committee work
• Coalitions
Photo: NDI

12. PARTIES IN GOVERNMENT
• Run affairs of country
• Develop and implement policy
• Oversee government agencies
• Account for funds
• Deliver on campaign promises

13. PARTIES IN OPPOSITION
• Contribute to accountability
• Monitor government actions
• Propose policy alternatives
• Seek compromise and solutions
Photo: NDI

14. NEED FOR PARTIES
• Political parties are not perfect but…
• Scattering of individuals wouldn’t
function
• Groups would take on party
characteristics
• No other institution represents citizens’
interests as well

15. DIVERSITY AMONG PARTIES
• Size
• Funding
• Penetration within the country
• Ethnic makeup
• Ideology
• Governing vs. opposition

16. NATIONAL PARTIES
Party Seats in National
Assembly
African National Congress 264
Democratic Alliance 67
Congress of the People 30
Inkatha Freedom Party 18
Map: Wikipedia

17. PARTY ELEMENTS AND
FUNCTIONS
• Constitution
• Internal structure and communications
– Branches
– Subgroups
• Leadership selection
• Platform/policy development
• Membership
• Funding

18. CONSTITUTION
Party Constitution
Defines philosophy,
values, principles
purpose
Defines internal
organization and
structure
Outlines internal
decision-making
process
Membership eligibility
Leadership positions
and selection process
Roles and
relationship among
different units

19. EXERCISE: EXPLORING
CONSTITUTIONS
• Political philosophy/values
• Internal organization/structure
• Decision-making process
• Membership
• Leadership positions and selection

20. PARTY STRUCTURE
Convention
Executive
Committee
Party Officers
Regional and Local Branches and
Subgroups
Individual Party Members

21. PARTY BRANCHES
Party
Leadership
Branch Leaders
and Members
Have defined roles
and responsibilities
Understand the
party’s mission, goals
and strategies
Report information to
leadership
Engage leaders in
exchange of ideas and
decision-making
Party’s position on issues
Advice on how to discuss
difficult/controversial issues
Info about political
events/developments
Party
Leadership

22. PARTY SUBGROUPS
Party
Think
tanks
Women’s
groups
Youth
groups
Profession
-based
groups
Policy-
oriented
factions

23. LEADERSHIP SELECTION
• Indirect or direct elections
• Party conventions
• Term limits
• Representation of women, youth, etc.
Photo: NDI

24. POLICY DEVELOPMENT
Policy developed/informed by:
• Party research staff
• Ad hoc group of experts and party
members
• Consultations and/or public forums

25. MEMBERSHIP
Member rights
• Elect the party leadership
• Participate in candidate selection
• Access party-only forums
• Receive special information
Photo: NDI

26. MEMBERSHIP
Member responsibilities
• Contribute to and know policies and
platform
• Understand constitution and
organization
• Ensure party reflects their interests
• Hold leaders accountable

27. PARTY FUNDING
• Private
–Membership fees
–Donations from members,
organizations and businesses
–Revenue generating projects/events
• Public
–Direct
–Indirect
Photo: www.pixabay.com

28. EXERCISE: ORGANIZATIONAL
SUCCESS FACTORS
• Characteristics of an effective party
• Why are they important?
• What are the consequences if they are
lacking?
Photo: Amy Hamelin, NDI

29. ORGANIZATIONAL SUCCESS
FACTORS
• Transparent decision-making procedures
• Understood roles and responsibilities
• Clear and frequent communication

30. INTERNAL PARTY DEMOCRACY
• Abiding by rules of procedure
• Holding leaders accountable
• Seeking views of members
• Encouraging participation of all
• Representing all of society

31. EXERCISE: PARTY TRIANGLE

32. WHY WOMEN?
• Higher standards of living
• Concerns of marginalized voters
represented
• Collaborative leadership styles
• Work across party lines
• Peace building
• Better decisions

33. WHY DO PARTIES NEED
WOMEN?
• To gain party supporters and mobilize
resources
• To help develop a platform that
includes interests of all voters
• To win elections!
Photo: Amy Hamelin, NDI

34. WOMEN’S PARTICIPATION
Party Women Leaders % of
Members
MQM Rabta Committee
1. Dr. Nasreen Jalil
2. Ms. Mumtaz Anwar
18%
PML Central Cabinet
1. Dr. Hamida Khorho, Senior Vice-President
2. Mrs. Yaqut Jamil-ur-Rehman, Vice-President
3. Begum Mehnaz Rafi, Vice-President
4. Ms. Nilofer Bakhtiar, President, Women’s Wing
14%
PML-N Central Cabinet
1. Begum Tehmina Daultana, Vice-President
2. Begum Ishrat Ashraf
3. Ms. Najma Hameed
4%
PPP Central Executive Committee
1. Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto, Chairperson
2. Begum Nusrat Bhutto Rahbar
5%

35. WOMEN’S WING STRUCTURE
• National, regional, local branches
• Linkage to “mother party”
• Representation on decision-making
bodies
• Funding and resources
• Risk: can marginalize women

36. EXERCISE: WHAT CAN A
WOMEN’S WING DO?
Photo: NDI

37. WOMEN’S WINGS
• Build awareness of gender frameworks
• Draft gender equality policies and lobby
for and monitor their implementation
• Network with women from other parties
• Identify and engage male allies
• Train women
• Encourage and fund women candidates
• Lobby leaders on women’s issues

38. WOMEN’S PARTIES
• Formed in many countries
• Success has been limited
• Prompted discussions on women's rights
and political participation
Photo: Katie Croake, NDI

39. INTRODUCTION TO PARTIES
REVIEW
Effective parties are cornerstone of
democracy and
• represent social interests and provide
policy choices
• vary but have common structures
• are transparent, democratic and
communicative
• promote the participation of women