IFES Celebrates International Women’s Day 2018
In order to achieve a true democracy and representative governance, meaningful and equal participation of women and men in all spheres of political, economic and social life must be realized. Nowhere is this more important than in a country’s electoral process, where active political engagement, from both women and men, strengthens a country’s democratic development.
Over the last three decades, the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) has supported citizens’ rights to participate in free and fair elections, and at the center of it all we prioritize inclusion of all voices and experiences to inform every effort. Our work to realize these rights recognizes that women’s participation in all aspects of political and electoral processes is essential for the success of democratic institutions and serves as the foundation for our approach to gender equality and women’s empowerment.
Activists, leaders, and women’s organizations have courageously advocated for equal rights for men and women, leading grassroots initiatives, national level change, and global movements – and we are right there with them. IFES is proud to support our partners all over the globe who are working toward shifting attitudes and practices that perpetuate inequality and discrimination against women in public and private life.
We know now, more than ever, that the #TimeIsNow for equality.
"Our society reaches our full potential when women are fully engaged as equals in our homes, workplaces and communities. Together we succeed." – IFES President and CEO Bill Sweeney
Program Highlights
She Leads: Empowering Female Candidates Ahead of Local Elections in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka implemented its first ever gender quota during the February 2018 local government elections, marking a historic opportunity to increase women’s representation from 1.8 percent to as much as 25 percent. Ahead of the election, IFES carried out a women’s leadership program, She Leads SL, that equipped 458 Sinhalese, Tamil and Muslim women with practical campaign skills. Learn more.
Bridging Perspectives: Engaging Male Allies for Gender Equality and Women’s Leadership
Despite a persistent call for “engaging male allies” in efforts to empower women in decision-making roles, alliances between men and women in mature and developing democratic societies continue to be infrequent or unpredictable. Through the development of IFES’ Male Allies for Leadership Equality (MALE) training, IFES is engaging with men and women throughout the world to work toward the understanding that gender equality and women’s empowerment will only be achieved when women and men work together toward that goal. Learn more.
CEPPS Partners Celebrate International Women’s Day 2018
Recognizing that International Women's Day is an opportunity to transform the momentum for women’s rights, equality and justice into action, the Consortium for Elections and Political Process Strengthening is coming together to celebrate International Women's Day 2018! Learn more.
