The National Democratic Institute is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization working to support and strengthen democratic institutions worldwide through citizen participation, openness and accountability in government.
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Democracy Updates
A diverse group of North African women with the potential to be leaders in their countries convened in Rabat, Morocco, last week as part of a collaborative program, unprecedented in the region, to shape future roles for women in political and civic life.
Partner Spotlight
After more than a year of intensive effort, female activists in the Kurdish region of Iraq have won a victory by securing for women the constitutionally-mandated freedom to travel.
In-Country Perspectives
Over the past three years, Burkina Faso has seen tremendous growth in local government as a decentralization process created councils for small regions across the country. Women, who were largely spectators in the past, occupy 35 percent of those new seats. Now women are poised to make up at least 30 percent of candidate lists for National Assembly and local elections.
Women’s Programs
“Every country deserves to have the best possible leader and that means that women have to be given a chance to compete. If they’re never allowed to compete in the electoral process then the countries are really robbing themselves of a great deal of talent.”
– Madeleine K. Albright, NDI Chairman
NDI believes that equitable participation of women in politics and government is essential to building and sustaining democracy. The Institute is committed to working with women as partners and participants in NDI programs and activities.
Comprising over 50 percent of the world's population, women continue to be under-represented as voters, political leaders and elected officials. Democracy cannot truly deliver for all of its citizens if half of the population remains underrepresented in the political arena.
NDI helps women acquire the tools necessary to participate successfully in all aspects of the political process. Our creative and wide-ranging programs – in both challenging environments where democracy is just beginning to flourish and in more established democracies – engage women in legislatures, political parties and civil society as leaders, activists and informed citizens. These programs create an environment where women can advocate on matters of policy, run for political office, be elected, govern effectively, and participate meaningfully in every facet of civic and political life.
About Women and Democracy
Introduction to NDI’s Women’s Programs
Strategies
Global Initiatives
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Win With Women Newsletter
The Win with Women Global Initiative is a complement to more than two decades of work by NDI in pursuit of an equitable, democratic society where women’s needs are meaningfully addressed. Some of its latest activities are presented here.
In the Spring 2009 Issue
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Guatemala: Strengthening Indigenous Women’s Political Leadership
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Guatemala: Strengthening Indigenous Women’s Political Leadership
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