A democracy is only as strong as the voices of its women. Not only do women activists hold governments accountable to the needs of women, but the fight for gender equality also provides avenues for other marginalized groups to shape their country’s political system as well. In Kosovo, where conflict in the 1990s left communities divided along ethnic lines, with many cut off from government resources, women are taking the reins to make their government accountable to all citizens.

A set of handshakes – extended with civility and from equal footing – did more than punctuate the ending of a debate. They reflected a new political momentum in Armenia. On December 5, 2018, for the first time in independent Armenia’s history, the leaders of every political party and alliance participating in the December 9th parliamentary elections gathered on one stage, on live national television, to share with citizens their ideas and vision for the country’s future.

The streets were empty as Sierra Leoneans gathered in front of televisions and radios to witness six presidential contenders participate in a three-hour debate, the first in the country’s history to feature all major political parties. In the past, the ruling party has declined to participate or failed to appear on debate night.

Liberia is in transition, celebrating more than a decade of peace since the end of its civil war in 2003 and surviving the Ebola crisis. The country is moving past a focus on political stability and towards building a resilient democracy that delivers for its people. After electing Africa’s first woman head of state, President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, in 2005, Liberians face another historic election on October 10, 2017: the first peaceful transfer of power between two democratically elected governments.

Voters around the globe are increasingly demanding that candidate debates become an indispensable part of their country’s elections. Often the culminating moment of the election campaign, debates like no other forum put contending candidates side by side on the same stage to contrast their leadership styles, visions and policies. But making debates a reality in young and even established democracies is far from a given. A range of political, organizational and production hurdles can defeat even the most committed debate sponsor.

As Americans watch the three general election presidential debates and one vice presidential debate this fall, many may not realize that such debates have become a global phenomenon. The Commission on Presidential Debates (CPD) is a nonpartisan nonprofit organization that has sponsored and produced all U.S. general election debates since 1987. Over time, CPD has expanded its work to support debates around the world.