Birgitta Ohlsson

Birgitta Ohlsson serves as the National Democratic Institute’s director of political parties. Born in 1975, she has over twenty years of experience as a leader at the national level in political parties, leadership, feminism, civil society and foreign policy She entered politics formally in 1999 when was elected president of Liberal Youth of Sweden. In 2002, she was elected for as a member of the Swedish Parliament, where she served until 2018, serving in numerous leadership roles, including in the Committee on Foreign Affairs and as her party´s spokesperson.

Changing the Face of Politics

This year, under the banner “Changing the Face of Politics,” NDI is launching a decade-long campaign as its contribution to the global call by the United Nations to “accelerate the pace of change” on all aspects of women’s empowerment. This campaign will be inclusive, have impact at local, national, and global levels, and present a strong focus on data and institutions, with the goal to end persistent cycles of gender discrimination.

Changing the Face of Politics Podcast

Episode 1: Birgitta Ohlsson interviews Vanessa Nakate

September 22, 2020

Alumna of Women’s Leadership Academy drives change by empowering others

In Ukraine, women remain underrepresented at all levels of governance and local decision making, as well as continuing to face significant obstacles to gender equality in other spheres. Training opportunities for women are essential to empowering more women to run for office and creating strong networks of women leaders who are willing to make an impact in their communities. 

I’m ready to run for office. And what makes me happy is that I will have a team of supporters. Even if I am the only one who runs, I will definitely have a team that will help me win.

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June 30, 2020

Risk-Taking Women are Changing the Face of Politics

Earlier this week, NDI Board Chairman and former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright spoke with Special Envoy for the UN High Commissioner for Refugees Angelina Jolie about what it means to be risk-taking women. Their conversation was moderated by Morning Joe co-host Mika Brzezinski founder of Know Your Value, a movement and multi-touchpoint platform that helps women recognize, and be recognized for, their personal and professional value by developing and inspiring individual growth. 

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Breaking the Cycle of Exclusion in Political Party Development

Political parties are a key institution in democratic practice, yet they face a crisis of representation, with recent research showing that as many as 78 percent of citizens in some countries do not identify with any political party. Many citizens view them as inaccessible and unresponsive to their concerns.

March 19, 2020

More Women, Better Politics

NDI and the Mano River Union Secretariat are working with a group of 32 young women political activists from Cote d’Ivoire, Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone to chart a course towards a new politics -- a politics in which women have a strong voice. The Network of Emerging Women in Politics (NEW Politics) program is designed to help women develop confidence, networks, and other skills needed to more fully engage in the political arena and achieve greater representation.

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Women and Youth Will Be Key to Armenia’s Democratic Success

“As a new democracy, Armenia faces a long road ahead,” said Ambassador Derek Mitchell, President of the National Democratic Institute, at the conclusion of a visit to the country. “But it’s clear the country already has at its disposal an abundance of ingredients for success. Chief among these are fresh democratic energy from a new generation of leaders, an increasing number of politically-active women and youth, and the support of the international community of democracies.”

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