Collaborating with Visionaries to Improve the Status of Women in Morocco
July 29, 2010
In June, I traveled to Morocco with the Status of Women in the Middle East and North Africa (SWMENA) project team. SWMENA is an innovative, regional project that uses scientific surveys to gather data on various aspects of women’s status, and then use this data —as well as tools to maximize its use—to assist local NGOs in conducting advocacy campaigns to improve the status of women in their countries.
Civic Education,
Civil Society
Building a Better Election Process in Georgia
July 27, 2010
Election Day on May 30, 2010, in Tbilisi, Georgia was calm and orderly, and the results of the municipal elections brought few surprises. The incumbent mayor, Gigi Ugulava, won the Tbilisi mayoral race with 55% of the vote, and the United National Movement (the party of President Mikheil Saakashvili) dominated council votes across the country.
Elections,
Post-conflict,
Political Parties,
Election Observation,
Electoral Systems
Focus on Morocco | Civic and Political Participation Topic Brief
June 22, 2010
This topic brief presents the main findings from the SWMENA survey in Morocco on civic and political participation. It includes an analysis of civic engagement through membership in different types of organizations and taking part in different activities to express opinions on political and social issues. Voting behavior is also explored in reference to participation in the 2009 municipal elections in June 2009 as well as women’s opinions about policy priorities and factors influencing their voting choices.
Civic Education,
Gender Issues,
Public Opinion,
Voter Turnout
Focus on Morocco | Health Care Access Topic Brief
June 22, 2010
The SWMENA survey, in addition to gathering information about women’s and men’s economic, social and political status, investigated the extent to which women in Morocco had access to formal health care. The survey also examined issues of affordability, quality of care, utilization, and proximity to medical services. This topic brief presents the principal findings with respect to women’s access to health care
Civic Education,
Gender Issues,
Public Opinion,
Education
Focus on Morocco | Opinions on the Family Law and Gender Quotas - Topic Brief
June 22, 2010
One of the principal objectives of the SWMENA survey was to examine the level of popular support for law reforms that have the potential to enhance women’s participation in the social and political realms. The Morocco Family Law, known as the Moudawana, which was adopted in 2004, continues to draw much debate among the Moroccan populace and advocacy groups. The introduction of gender quotas in 2002 to reserve 30 seats for women on a national list in Parliament increased the representation of women in elected bodies but continues to raise questions about the effectiveness of gender quotas and how ordinary citizens felt about this system. This topic brief thus presents the main findings from the SWMENA survey on the Family Law and gender quotas.
Civic Education,
Gender Issues,
Public Opinion