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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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  • Congress Looks to Women as Agents of Change

    In places as diverse as Timor-Leste, Croatia, Morocco, Rwanda and South Africa, increasing numbers of women are being elected to political office. In each case, more women has meant more legislation related to anti-discrimination, domestic violence, family codes, inheritance, and child support and protection.

  • Prime Minister Tsvangirai of Zimbabwe, Chocó Women of Colombia Honored at NDI 25th Anniversary Dinner

    NDI celebrated its 25th anniversary on May 10 by honoring two champions of democracy, Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai of Zimbabwe and the Network of Chocó Women of Colombia, at an event hosted by NDI Chairman Madeleine K. Albright.

  • Kosovar Women Parliamentarians Lead the Fight against Domestic Violence and Engage Citizens in Debate on Gender Issues

    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.

  • Pakistani Party Activists Take Study Tour in Netherlands

    NDI Pakistan, in collaboration with NDI Brussels, is organizing a Study Tour to the Netherlands for 13 Pakistani political party activists, including 8 women and 5 men, from June 4 through June 10. The participants, active in NDI’s youth and women’s programs, represent all four provinces and a range of political parties in Pakistan — including the Awami National Party (ANP), National Party (NP), Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Pakistan Muslim League (PML), and Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz (PML-N).

  • Leadership Academy Gathers Women from Middle East, North Africa

    Women activists from seven countries in the Middle East and North Africa gathered for the Young Women Leaders Academy at Education City in Doha, Qatar, in July 2008 to help gain the intellectual tools, comparative knowledge, and practical skills to become leaders in their communities.

  • Burkina Faso: Strengthening Women’s Political Participation at the Local Level

    While women’s political participation has increased in Burkina Faso since the decentralization process began in 1998, there are still major cultural and structural barriers that must be overcome to ensure women’s effective participation in public life. Since 2005, NDI has supported women’s increased political participation in Burkina Faso through a Sida-funded program that has contributed to the election of 6,400 women local councilors (about one-third of the approximately 18,000 total local councilors) and enhanced the management skills of women councilors and mayors.

  • Latin America: Building Links and Increasing the Effectiveness of Women Legislators

    Throughout Latin America, social pressures and discriminatory party practices continue to keep many women out of the political arena and to systematically limit their leadership roles. Progress continues, however, as witnessed in recent elections in Latin America in which increased numbers of women won legislative posts and  high-profile positions.

  • Women Leaders in Egypt Learn from Global Transition Experiences

    The demonstrations in Cairo's Tahrir Square, in addition to toppling Egypt's long-time leader, gave a push to efforts by the country's women for equal rights. Now, Egyptian women are organizing to ensure that they remain equal partners in the ongoing political transition. To that end, NDI has been connecting Egyptian women’s groups with women leaders and organizations from Cambodia, Chile and the United States to share their own experiences and insights into building political power.

  • National Action Plan to Boost Women’s Power in Pakistani Political Parties

    More than 90 representatives of women’s wings from five major political parties developed and endorsed a National Action Plan to strengthen their women’s wings and boost their representation on party decision-making bodies.

  • Women in Pakistan Identify Vital Issues for Party Platforms

    In Pakistan, the obstacles to women’s political involvement in their communities and their country can be daunting. Discrimination, cultural barriers and travel restrictions are among the most significant deterents. In many parts of the country, particularly northern and rural areas, customs prevent women from participating in affairs outside the home, and frequent violence often restricts their mobility. When they do travel, many must be chaperoned by a close male relative.

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