Returning on March 4 to the United Nations, where it was launched two years ago, the International Knowledge Network of Women in Politics (iKNOW Politics) – a joint initiative of NDI, the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA), the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) – presented “Getting Ahead: Testimonials from Women Political Leaders” at this year’s 53rd s

NDI is accepting applications for its 2009 Young Women Leaders Academy, to be held in Doha, Qatar, in July. The program provides young women with knowledge and practical skills needed to participate effectively in the political process.

The core of the Academy is an intensive academic and training program. To provide practical experience, NDI will help participants secure internships or carry out projects using their newly developed political, advocacy and leadership skills.

As Mexico celebrates 55 years of women’s suffrage, women candidates continue to face obstacles in running for elected office. While gender quotas have led to an increase in the past two decades of women holding party and elected positions, they still represent fewer than 5 percent of municipal and state elected officials. They also often receive ballot placement that lessens their chances of winning and they receive less public financing and fewer opportunities for training.

As Nepal strives to move beyond years of armed conflict and political turmoil and build a stable and peaceful democracy, the foundation of such a democracy will depend largely on ensuring that the drafting process for the country’s new constitution is inclusive and representative. Women in Nepal face severe discrimination and have historically been marginalized and underrepresented in government.

One year after declaring independence from Serbia, Kosovo still struggles to prove itself as a modern and inclusive democracy. While one-third of seats in the Assembly of Kosovo are legally reserved for women, women members of parliament (MPs) have not historically enjoyed a high level of influence or engagement in Kosovar governing structures. In July 2005, NDI assisted 36 women MPs in convening the first informal caucus of women parlimentarians. Today, the multi-party, multi-ethnic Women’s Informal Group (WIG) is now the largest cross-party grouping in the Assembly.

In 1996, United Nations-sponsored peace accords were signed in Guatemala, ending 36 years of armed conflict. Although one of the goals of the accords and related agreements was increasing the political participation of the indigenous population, this has yet to be realized. Indigenous women in particular face the greatest political marginalization. Although at least 20 percent of the Guatemalan population is indigenous women, only two of 158 deputies in Congress and one of 333 mayors are indigenous women.

On Dec. 15 , the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs hosted the 2008 Democracy Luncheon, honoring Archbishop Desmond Tutu and presenting its fourth annual Madeleine K. Albright Award to the Women’s League of Burma. As part of the Win with Women Global Initiative, the Madeleine K. Albright Grant honors organizations that work to increase women’s participation in political and civic life. The recipient was selected from a competitive pool of applicants based on the strength of their proposal to train young women leaders.  

The Burkina Faso National Assembly has adopted a law that requires a 30 percent quota for women on political party candidate lists. (Related story: “Women Gain Ground in Burkina Faso Assembly,” May 19, 2009.) Passage of the measure on April 16 was a landmark day for a number of groups in this West African country of about 14 million that have been working to bring women into the political process.

Linking women across continents, languages and faiths is part of the success story of iKNOW Politics – an online portal through which women in politics network and share information, knowledge and expertise. Launched by NDI in partnership with the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA), the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM), the site is approaching its second anniversary.