The remote location and socioeconomic status of many Cambodian provincial communities have historically marginalized rural voters from the political process. During Cambodia’s 2013 election, a lack of civic education led to frequent misunderstandings of the electoral process, deterring many rural voters from casting ballots. To curb this trend in the upcoming 2017 and 2018 elections, the Cambodian Human Rights and Development Association (ADHOC), has launched a campaign of voter education workshops throughout the country, with profound interest from rural voters.

To address root causes of endemic corruption that sparked massive protests in 2015 and strengthen a pillar of Guatemalan democracy, civil society organizations are working to make their country’s legislative branch of government more open, accountable and accessible to citizens. A significant step was taken in this regard on January 10, when the country’s Congress and a coalition of Guatemalan civic organizations publicly presented the Open Parliament Action Plan, a consensus roadmap for boosting internal and public transparency.

Shahida Malka Ahmed was elected on November 19, 2015 as a union council chair in Khanewal District as part of the newly established local government system in Punjab, Pakistan’s largest province. Shahida’s victory stands out as fewer than 300 women competed for 50,000 directly elected seats in the 2015 local elections (and only 60 sought election as chair and vice chair).

Colombia’s Congress has taken several steps to improve transparency and make legislative affairs more accessible to citizens in recent years.