Barriers to women’s political participation have long existed in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). Conflict, gender-based violence, disempowerment, and restrictive laws all represent continued challenges that women face throughout the region. Pro-democracy protests have been sweeping across MENA for over a decade, leaving the countries of the region with no choice but to re-evaluate the place of women in their societies. Women who were at the forefront of demonstrations also deserved to be at the forefront of politics.

Albania is taking a big step forward in building its democracy--literally and figuratively--in constructing a visitors’ center and research and analysis service in parliament to make government more accountable and responsive to the public interest.

In the years leading up to and directly following the collapse of the Soviet Union, many in the West saw Poland as a beacon of democratic values and hope, an emblem to be mirrored by its neighbors plagued by autocracy and disarray. Recent social and political developments have posed significant challenges to Poland’s democracy and while the nuances of the political divisions seen today are complex, overall, it is clear that the country is polarized.