Women’s Political Empowerment

1. Women’s Political Empowerment

2. Categorization of Projects under Thematic Area • Capacity Building of Public Representatives • Voters Education • Capacity Building of NGOs • Research and Advocacy

3. Details of Projects

4. Details of Projects

5. Details of Projects

6. Main Issues/Challenges • Structural Issues/Challenges • Institutional Issues/Challenges • Functional Issues/Challenges

7. Structural Issues/Challenges • Social and cultural barriers, including issues like restrictions on women’s mobility that affect their access to information and resources • Entrenched patriarchal mindset that defines women’s rightful place only in the home. • Politics is considered as male domain in the public view. • There is a lack of a societal acceptance of women’s political role; • Women are hindered to participate as voters and as candidates by the local power brokers • Women are disenfranchised

8. Strategies Adopted • Networking and Advocacy • Using Radio and Talk shows • Sensitization of local political leadership • Mobilization and support to women • Development and dissemination of print material • Capacity building of local CBOs

9. Institutional Issues/Challenges • Male domination in power politics; • Lack of interest of political parties to orientate themselves toward the political participation of women; • Lack of government will to create enabling environment for women’s political participation and representation • Lack of representation of women in the decision making bodies of political parties; • Masculine model of politics and decision making; • Prohibiting women from casting their votes • Male resistance to women politicians in the political structures • Lack of democracy and democratization of political structures • Independent Election Commission

10. Strategies Adopted • Develop the capacity of local groups for advocating women rights • Regular coordination with political parties and government agencies • Linkages developed among line department and communities • Capacity building of local organizations to tap public resources as CCBs • Gender sensitization trainings • Capacity building of line agencies and political parties

11. Functional Issues/Challenges • Inadequate political training of women; • Lack of capacities and know-how of the political system • Lack of education and awareness of women of their political rights; • High level of illiteracy among women • Lack of confidence and trust among women; • Lack of political skills • Lack of financial resources and social capital • Lack of experience in playing a decision-making roles • Lack of voter’s education • Non-registration of voters • Voters do not have National Identity Cards

12. Strategies Adopted • Training of women on importance of political education • Getting support of the local leadership for enhancing women’s political participation • Voter registration and support in getting ID cards • Material development and use of media

13. Areas of Focus for Future • Citizenship Rights and Women’s Exclusion • Culture and Political Rights of Women • Gender and Democratization • Capacities and Capabilities in Politics