ElectHER

Yesterday we joined the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association with colleagues from UN Women led by the Country Representative Eyong Beatrice ; UNICEF led by Cristian Munduate and WRAPA led by Hajiya Saudatu Mahdi MFR , under the Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians programme, to engage female lawmakers from across commonwealth countries, from Nigeria, Namibia, India, Australia, Bangladesh, the UK, South Africa, Eswatini. Tanzania, to the Bahamas. Presenting our work on Election-tech, ElectHER Election Hub, ElectHER Policy & Research Center (EPRC), Storytelling and Candidate Support, and sharing best practices across countries for improving women’s representation in parliament. Benite Dibateza

Kamala Harris has just been endorsed by President Biden to succeed him, marking a monumental moment in history. As the first Black and South Asian American woman Vice President, Harris is on the brink of potentially becoming the 47th President and the first female president of the United States. Harris's campaign, now energized with unprecedented support and surging donations from top Democrats like Bill and Hillary Clinton, highlights her tenacity and fearless leadership. With endorsements from over 175 out of 263 congressional Democrats and 23 Democratic governors and several states promising over 500 delegates, Harris's path to the Democratic nomination looks promising. Later today, Harris will make her first public appearance since President Biden's endorsement. The unanimous support from all 50 Democratic state chairs further solidifies her position as the party's new presidential nominee. According to Biden, “Kamala Harris is now the right person to take up the torch, defeat Donald Trump, and succeed Joe Biden as president.” Kamala Harris needs to secure at least 1,986 Democratic delegates to clinch the party’s nomination and currently has at least 531. Her historic run is set to be unprecedented in the country’s history. Do you think this is long overdue or just in time? What are your thoughts? Image: ©️Kamala Harris

We met with the Office of the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives of Nigeria, led by Benjamin Okezie Kalu(MHR).F.insAM,FOSHA(UK),MCIArb (UK) ; Deputy Speaker and Chair Committee on Constitutional Amendment, to extensively discuss critical actions towards the passage of the 'Additional Seats Bill' which passed the second reading last week. Exploring immediate steps to widely engage stakeholders across geopolitical and socio-cultural contexts including opposing views, on the importance of the bill as a ‘need to have’ Temporary Special Measure’ beyond a women’s bill, but one fundamental to the growth and development of Nigeria. Especially considering the intersection of gender and multi-dimensional poverty. The Special Seats Bill was rejected alongside 4 other gender bills in the 9th Assembly. The re-introduction in the 10th Assembly, championed by the leadership, presents an opportunity to drive real change. Over 130 countries worldwide have adopted some type of quota system to address women’s under-presentation. A majority being low or middle-income countries- many of them in Africa.

Public perception and accountability are key drivers to strengthening open governance in public institutions. Yesterday, we met with Rep. Akin Rotimi Jr., MHR, mnipr , Spokesperson and Chair, House Committee on Media and Public Affairs; and Member, Constitution Amendment Committee, to discuss ongoing reforms around gender and inclusivity, legislative priorities and explore partnerships around open data, storytelling, and deepened engagement on Womens inclusion. Hon. Akintunde remains a strong ally on Women’s inclusion in the 10th assembly, we look forward to co-designing and collaborating in the weeks ahead. Open Society Foundations

Yesterday, we met with Hon. Patrick Umoh Patrick Umoh , Chair,Committee on Legislative Affairs- House of Representatives Nigeria , to discuss ongoing reforms aimed at enhancing women's representation in parliament, and in alignment with the ‘Inclusivity and Open Legislature’ agenda of the 10th Assembly. We also explored potential collaborations around technical support and programming, to further strengthen the mandate of the committee. Open Society Foundations

Rwanda's ongoing general elections , today, July 15, 2024, hold a double focus: the potential extension of President Paul Kagame's power and the nation's remarkable progress in gender representation. With a staggering 61.3% of parliamentary seats held by women, Rwanda is often lauded as a model for gender equality. However, this achievement raises crucial questions about the true depth of political inclusivity. Despite the high number of women in parliament, the absence of prominent female opposition figures like Diane Rwigara and Victoire Ingabire from the presidential race highlights ongoing challenges. These developments point to the complex interplay between gender parity and political freedom in Rwanda. President Paul Kagame's potential extension of power adds another layer of intrigue. With approximately 9.5 million Rwandans, including a record-breaking 2 million first-time voters, preparing to cast their ballots, these elections hold significant implications for regional stability, democratic governance, and Rwanda's development trajectory. The world watches closely as Rwanda attempts to navigate this balancing act. Read our analysis below for a deeper dive into this paradox…

We had the pleasure of hosting the Canadian High Commission team earlier today, led by High Commissioner James Christoff, to discuss the current political landscape, legislative reform priorities on Women’s Political inclusion in Nigeria, and expansion of ElectHER’s work covering wider public sector reform, the economy, peace and security. Thankful to team Canada for the allyship and continued support! #ElectHER #ElectHERWPP #CFLI

On May 29, 2024, South Africa held its 7th general election under universal adult suffrage since the end of apartheid in 1994. This election, which was described as the country's most competitive election, saw a lot of new outcomes such as the decline of ANC's dominance, the rise of independent candidates, the emergence of a coalition and an increased voters turnout, especially among women. Swipe to see a breakdown of the key insights from this election and what's next as they navigate this new political era. #SouthAfricaElections #ElectHER

How Important is the Role of Women in Peace Processes? Sudan's year-long crisis is devastating. Millions need help, with women and girls disproportionately affected. Over half (53%) of the displaced population are women and girls, and a staggering 6.7 million face the threat of gender-based violence. This grim reality exposes a critical truth -" in conflict, women and children are the most vulnerable". This is why ensuring women's voices are heard in peace processes is absolutely crucial. Did you know that Liberian women played a pivotal role in their country's peacebuilding efforts during the civil war? Their grassroots activism, advocacy for peace, and participation in post-conflict reconstruction significantly contributed to rebuilding the nation. Even amidst the chaos in Sudan, the women have demonstrated incredible resilience. But their voices are often silenced. Including women in peacebuilding brings diverse perspectives to the table, leading to more inclusive solutions and faster economic recovery. ElectHER believes women are essential for a peaceful Sudan. We champion their role in peace processes, even as we work towards a future where all voices are heard. Join us in supporting Sudan's most vulnerable. Visit https://bit.ly/HelpSudan1 for a list organizations providing aid and how you can get involved.

In this month's feature, we celebrate landmark victories for women around the world. From first-time female presidents to world-class female athletes setting new records, we are proud of these exceptional women. Join us in honoring their achievements... #DisruptorsofTheMonth #ElectHER Fatima Maada Bio Millie Odhiambo Mabona Oluwami Dosunmu-Ogunbi, PhD Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo Bolanle Austen-Peters Halla Tomasdottir Temi Otedola