Political parties can
integrate the issues of gender equality and women’s rights in their policy
positions. Including women’s concerns into the party platform and disseminating
these party positions can sometimes help political parties win the support of
women voters and improve their electoral outcomes.[1]
Example: In Sierra Leone, a number of political parties included
gender equality provisions in their manifestos in the lead-up to the 2007 general
elections. The APC 2007 Manifesto “includes a section on women’s empowerment,
with the objective of strengthening women’s groups, supporting women’s and
girls’ education and empowering and working with appropriate authorities to
implement laws and policies to eliminate all forms of violence and
discrimination against women.” The PMDC Manifesto includes the commitment to
achieve gender parity through gender mainstreaming and the reform of
discriminatory laws. The objectives of SLPP Manifesto for the period 2007-2012
include to work for gender equality, equity and empowerment and the promotion
of women’s rights, through gender mainstreaming, legal frameworks combatting
gender violence, increased women’s participation in decision-making and
constitutional amendments to adopt affirmative action for women in legislative
elections, among other measures. The NDA Manifesto focused especially on
women’s education, and proposed to extend free education with primary and
secondary schooling for girls in the whole country, responding to special
education needs too.[2]
Example: In Canada, the Liberal Party disseminated a series of Pink
Books, explaining the party’s position on priority issues for women.[3]
Example: In India, BJP women party members attracted the votes of
women by introducing a policy to put 10.000 rupees in the saving account of all
girls born in the state of Madir Pradesh to be used for their education once
they reached 18 years of age.[4]
Example: In Peru, the Christian People’s Party (PPC) initiated a
process to review the women and equal opportunities chapter of its government
plan. With support from the International Republican Institute (IRI), the party
sought public input through public hearings and meetings with specialized
organizations.[5]
[1] UNDP and NDI (2012): op.
cit., p. 20.
[2] International IDEA
(2013): “Political Parties in Africa through a Gender Lens.”
[3] UNDP and NDI (2012): op.
cit., p. 36.
[4] UNDP and NDI (2012): op.
cit., p. 36.
[5] UNDP and NDI (2012): op.
cit., p. 36.
