Electoral participation can take multiple forms that contribute to the realization of civil and political rights. Voters and candidates exercise, respectively, their right to vote (active suffrage) and their right to stand for election (passive suffrage). Members of EMBs exercise their right to have access to public service in their country. Journalists and media professionals exercise their right to freedom of opinion and expression and contribute to fulfill the right of all citizens and the general public to access election-related information. Domestic observers, election mediators, voter education agents, and other civil society representatives exercise their right to participate in non-governmental organizations and associations concerned with the public and political life of the country.

Gender inequality and discrimination in society and in politics have a negative impact on women’s participation in elections. In various roles as voters, candidates, journalists, civil society representatives and electoral administrators, women frequently face social, physical, psychological, economic and cultural obstacles that hinder the full exercise of their participation rights and they often suffer from discrimination and violence.