Languages
Wednesday, July 22, 2026
News and Views from the Global South
Women in Politics
Little Money to Promote Gender Equality in Eastern Europe
Despite pushes from international bodies such as the United Nations (UN) or the European Union (EU) to promote gender equality in Central and Eastern Europe, access to funding for such initiatives remains largely conditional upon national governments’ willingness to embrace this agenda.U.N. Meet Holds Governments to Account on Women’s Equality
In 2008, delegates meeting for the annual U.N. Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) agreed that much greater investments in women and gender equality were a critical – and overlooked – aspect of sustainable development.Women Still Trapped Below Glass Ceiling of Party Politics
The right of women to participate in political life is guaranteed by several international conventions, but transforming an abstract right into a reality requires hard work on the ground, says a new study released here.CULTURE-ARAB SPRING: A Revolution Through the Lens
The Arab world is talking about a revolution; not just out on the streets but in films, in newspapers, in songs – using any means necessary to document events, expose the horrors of war and explore the struggles and possibilities that lie ahead as the Arab Spring feels the wintry chill of post-revolutionary democratic challenges.
Women, Victims of War, Have No Seat at Negotiating Table
When the U.N. Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) held its inaugural meeting in London back in 1946, the U.S. delegate, Eleanor Roosevelt, read an open letter to "the women of the world" calling on governments to encourage women everywhere to participate in national and international affairs.
SENEGAL: Two Women Among 14 Candidates for President
There are two women among the 14 candidates contesting the first round of Senegalese presidential elections that will be held on Feb. 26. But according to several analysts, this overwhelmingly Muslim West African country is not ready to be governed by a woman.
Op-Ed: How Gender Values Point the Way for a More Effective U.N.
A growing list of U.N. Security Council Resolutions acknowledges the importance of gender in processes for peace. Resolutions 1325, 1820, 1888, 1889 and 1960 note that women continue to be marginalised in peace negotiations and their potential is not fully utilised in humanitarian planning, peacekeeping operations, peace building, governance and reconstruction.
MALAWI: Women’s Education the Path to the Presidency
On an elegant veranda adorned with a red carpet, Malawi's Vice President Joyce Banda recalls how her childhood friend Chrissie Mtokoma was always top of their class and how she struggled to beat her. But now decades later Banda is a likely contender for the country's presidency in 2014, while Mtokoma lives in poverty.
Angolan Spring – Protests Shaking Up Authorities
Adolfo Andre knows what he wants for his country and says he will fight on until he gets it.DR CONGO: Election Promises of Peace and Security
The 11 candidates contesting presidential elections in the Democratic Republic of Congo all pledge to improve peace and security in the country - promises received with varying degrees of scepticism by Congolese voters.DR CONGO: No Real Programme Behind Campaign Promises
"In truth, none of the candidates and none of the parties have a programme for society," asserts Mastaki Mushosi, one of the leaders of the National Union of Catholic School Teachers in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
LIBERIA: Runoff Goes Ahead Despite Boycott and Killings
Liberians headed to the polls in what appeared to be modest numbers Tuesday morning for a presidential runoff that has been marred by an opposition boycott and the deaths of at least two demonstrators at an opposition rally.
DR CONGO: Rehabilitating Former Child Soldiers Who “Liked” Killing
Murhula’s* life changed forever when he was nine years old. It was the year that he learned to kill, torture and rape.DR CONGO: No Hope for Free and Fair Elections
With six weeks to go before the presidential and parliamentary elections in the Democratic Republic of Congo, civil society organisations say the elections will not be fair, as many doubt the ability of the country’s electoral authorities to ensure transparency.LIBERIA: Former Warlord Backs Johnson-Sirleaf for Second Term
Former warlord Prince Johnson, who placed third in Liberia’s election last week, has endorsed the re-election bid of President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, who was named a joint winner of the Nobel Peace Prize just days before the vote.
Liberians Turn Out in Numbers to Vote
Liberians cast their ballots Tuesday in an election that has so far been described as orderly and peaceful, though concerns persist that a disputed result could anger voters and fuel minor unrest.
LIBERIA: “Security Risk” at Ivory Coast Border Ahead of Elections
As Liberia gears up for Tuesday’s presidential and legislative elections, officials stationed near the border with Ivory Coast have expressed concern that insufficient border security - a problem highlighted by two recent cross-border attacks - could fuel electoral violence.
LIBERIA: Mixed Reviews for Johnson-Sirleaf’s Nobel Peace Prize
As the Norwegian Nobel Committee named Liberian President Ellen Johnson- Sirleaf a joint winner of the 2011 Nobel Peace Prize, opposition party supporters were flooding the streets of Monrovia to demand that she be voted out of office in the upcoming election.Liberian Muslims Allege Disenfranchisement
It seems all of Liberia is paying close attention to the campaign for the Oct. 11 presidential and legislative elections. But Sekou Camara is one exception.
Women must be more active in African government
Women should take a more active role in ensuring peace and security on the African continent. Zukiswa Zimela reports from the fifth ordinary session of the Pan African Parliament in Midrand, South Africa.
ZAMBIA: New President, New Governance Yardstick
The election of Michael Chilufya Sata as Zambia's new president shows that Zambians are more interested in issues of accountability and transparency than mere service delivery, say analysts.« Previous Page — Next Page »
In societies throughout the world, women’s participation in political and leadership roles is limited. Underrepresented as voters and position holders, women are restricted at local and at global levels. A variety of obstacles bar women’s political participation. Reduced access to education in many countries, as well as weaker political connections make it more difficult for women to enter the political stage. In addition, there are many discriminatory laws that severely reduce the opportunity for women to gain leadership positions. As has been seen, there are many individuals who have overcome these obstacles with great success. There have been great strides to increase women’s political participation. In the last 20 years, the percentage of women in parliamentary positions has nearly doubled. This promising, albeit slow progress, is necessary to empower women and reduce gender inequality. These articles look at various aspects of women’s participation politics.
The Week with IPS
NEXT STOP - SDGs
Tracking global progress towards a sustainable world
Tracking global progress towards a sustainable world
