Summary: A Guide To Improving Women Participation

Summary: A Guide to Improving Women ParticipationInformed public participation is vital for a functional democracy. NDI promotes women’s participation in political life by addressing specific historical challenges that have excluded women from civic activities. Women have demonstrated leadership in civic groups where they have successfully tackled pertinent issues. This article looks at the tools for mainstreaming gender in civic society programs. Mainstreaming gender requires a good understanding of the context in which program designers and practitioners can define the support and leveraging mechanisms for women in their programs. The context relates to overcoming barriers to women participation, acting as change agents or simply ensuring the concerns of both genders are addressed equally.One key question to understanding the context of gender mainstreaming includes a clear understanding of the country’s social political history. Any program designer wishing to mainstream gender in the program design must understand the societal context of historical women activism, existing cultural or religious barriers and the available options for citizens input. Another key question is, understanding the political environment context. Political context includes distribution of power across gender, advances in women rights, legislative barriers and affirmative actions. Other issues that help in understanding the context of gender