Arab Parliaments: Research and Publications

Advancing Gender Equality – Using CEDAW and UN Security Council Resolution 1325. [ English ]. 2008 [brief description]

The purpose of this training module, prepared by UNIFEM, is to build the capacity and awareness of gender equality advocates in government and civil society in the Southern Caucasus to advocate for and support the implementation of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) and UN Security Council resolution 1325 on women, peace and security.

Budgeting for Equity: Gender Budget Initiatives Within a Framework of Performance Oriented Budgeting. [ English ]. 2003 [brief description]

A Handbook published by the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) discussing the tools needed to determine the impact of government budgets on both sexes. It provides insight into performance-oriented budgeting from a gender perspective. It also includes a model on the means to attain better gender awareness in budget planning..

Budgeting for Women's Rights: Monitoring Government Budgets for Compliance with CEDAW [ English ]. 2006 [brief description]

The report published by the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) aims to provide ideas that may be useful in monitoring the compliance of government budgets with the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), including the means by which gender budget analysis may assist in monitoring compliance with CEDAW.

This guide provides a basic introduction to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) and Security Council resolution 1325 on women, peace and security, and reviews their commonalities, synergies, and potential strategic uses, particularly in the context of conflict and post-conflict reconstruction.

This Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU)/ United Nations' Children Fund (UNICEF) co-publication, launched at the IPU's 110th International Assembly in April 2004, serves as a catalyst for action, providing examples of parliamentarians' responses to the challenges of child protection and addressing 10 specific protection issues.

Article, Published by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), advancing the argument that parliaments experiencing situations of crisis or recovery are presented with an opportunity to integrate a gender perspective into their core functions. Within the article is the argument that men and women are differently affected by conflict and hence a gender-sensitive approach is required to understand the differing needs of women and men in crisis situations and recovery processes.

Consolidated Response: Eliminating Violence Against Women In Politics [ English ]. 2007 [brief description]

Consolidated response published by the International Knowledge Network of Women in Politics (iKNOWpolitics) addressing violence against women in politics. The main questions raised were on the frequency and sources of such violence, how to reduce such violence and whether any measures have been put in place towards that end such as legislations, policies, or programmes. The ways in which violence against women in politics manifests itself in different cultural contexts is also tackled.

This study, published jointly by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), International IDEA, the Organization of American States (OAS), and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) aims to provide decision-makers, dialogue promoters and practitioners with a practical guide on how to organize, facilitate and assess dialogue processes. It combines conceptual and practical knowledge, while providing practitioners with an extensive repertoire of relevant tools, experiences and approaches adapted to the issue at stake, the local context and the stakeholders involved.

Document published by the United Nations Women and Development Unit - ECLAC on democratic governance and gender equality in Latin America and the Caribbean. It tackles numerous dimensions including trends in women participation in the legislature, participation of women in women movements to develop new constitutions, women's participation in state reform, and policies for increasing women participation in representative offices.

Draft International Law for Youth: Arab Countries and Legislations Related to Youth Rights and Duties. Second Study [ Arabic ]. 2007 [brief description]

This study was prepared by the Arab Scout Parliamentary Union, and the Parliamentary Program at Cairo University, with the support of UNDP. The study aims at observing the best practices in Arab legislation (focus of this study), as well as modern international legislation (the focus of the first study “Draft International Law for Youth: Survey of International Youth Related Legislation”) as it is a legislative and institutional mechanism for Arab youth empowerment.

Draft International Law for Youth: Survey of International Youth Related Legislation. First Study [ Arabic ]. 2007 [brief description]

This study was prepared by the Arab Scout Parliamentary Union, the Parliamentary Program at Cairo University, with the support of UNDP. The study aims at observing the best practices in modern international legislation (the focus of this study) as well as Arab legislation (focus of the second study “Draft International Law for Youth: Arab Countries and Legislations Related to Youth Rights and Duties”), as it is a legislative and institutional mechanism for Arab youth empowerment.

Drafting Gender-Aware Legislation: How to Promote and Protect Gender Equality in CEE and CIS [ English ]. 2003 [brief description]

A handbook published by the United Nations Development Programme providing a comparative overview on gender-aware legislation and practice in Central and Eastern Europe and the Commonwealth Independent states. The handbook also describes a comprehensive approach to influencing legislation processes and a detailed checklist for the analysis of such processes.

The training guide, published by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), focuses on a human rights-based approach to democratic governance as a framework for women's empowerment and the need for development cooperation to ensure gender equality in areas relating to parliament, electoral systems, and public administration.

Engaging Parliaments in The Millenium Development Goals: a Key Part of National MDG Strategies [ English ]. 2006 [brief description]

This study, published by UNDP, presents input made by several UNDP specialists around the world, who shared their experiences and information about how UNDP has supported parliaments in several countries in engaging in the promotion and achievement of Millennium Development Goals. The main topics discussed are: the role of parliamentarians in rich and developing countries in meeting the MDGs; legislatures in pursuit of the MDGs: a key part of national MDG strategies; best practices for European Union parliamentarians to meet the MDGs; references on parliamentary work on MDGs.

This paper was presented by NDI in the International Conference on Parliaments, Crisis Prevention and Recovery organized by UNDP in Belgium. The paper highlights the role of the international community in providing support in post conflict environments. Particularly, their role in engaging political parties in the peace process and in the parliament.

Engendering Constitutions: Gender Equality Provisions in Selected Constitution [ English ]. 2007 [brief description]

This study provides analysis of global best practices of engendered constitutions using CEDAW as an analytical framework. It also analyzes existing or in some cases, draft constitutional .texts of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro and Serbia according to CEDAW provisions and reviews political party platforms for commitment to gender.

Article published by UNDP discussing the significance of gender in formulating macroeconomic policies. It explains the effects of gender-biased policies in producing gender inequalities at the micro level which in turn results in macroeconomic implications. It also highlights UNDP's efforts in the area of gender and macroeconomics.

Enhancing Women's Participation in Electoral Processes in Post-Conflict Countries [ English ]. 2004 [brief description]

The Office of the Special Adviser on Gender Issues and Advancement of Women (OSAGI) convened an expert group meeting on "Enhancing women’s participation in electoral processes in post-conflict countries,” jointly organized with the Department of Political Affairs of the United Nations. The group discussed and analyzed electoral processes in post-conflict countries and the obstacles, lessons learned and good practices in enhancing women’s participation in these processes. This report is the outcome of that meeting.

Enhancing Women's Participation in Electoral Processes in Post-conflict Countries: Post-election Support [ English ]. 2004 [brief description]

A number of papers published by the United Nations Office of the Special Advisor on Gender Issues and the Advancement of Women (OSAGI) on the enhancement of women's participation in electoral processes in post-conflict countries.

Enhancing Women's Participation in Electoral Processes in Post-Conflict Countries: Report of the Expert Group Meeting Jan. 2004 [ English ]. 2004 [brief description]

Report published by the United Nations Special Office on Gender Issues and Advancement of Women (OSAGI). It includes discussions and recommendations by an expert group from OSAGI in the Department of Social and Economic Affairs (DESA), jointly with the Department of Political Affairs in the United Nations. The discussions mainly centered around electoral processes in post-conflict countries, while the recommendations mainly focused on incorporating gender perspectives into election phases in post-conflict countries.

Equal Participation of Women and Men in Decision-Making Processes, with Particular Emphasis on Political Participation [ English ]. 2005 [brief description]

This paper, published by the United Nations Division for the Advancement of Women, describes issues relevant to women's political participation, representation and leadership. It describes strategies to address the disparity between men and women, gender mainstreaming as a cross-cutting strategy, globalization, and women's mobilization strategies.

Explaining Women’s Representation: The Role of Legislative Recruitment & Electoral Systems [ English ]. 2005 [brief description]

Paper published by the United Nations Division for the Advancement of Women (UN-DAW). It examines the essential steps involved in being elected to countries' parliaments. It also examines the impact of a certain country's level of development, culture, and electoral system on the representation of women.

Fact Sheet on Women in Government as at January 1996. The UN Division for the Advancement of Women has created a statistical database on women in the executive branch of governments. Data for 187 countries was extracted form information published in the 1996 Edition of the Worldwide Government Directory (Worldwide Government Directories, Inc.).

Gender Budget Initiatives: Strategies, Concepts and Experiences [ English ]. 2001 [brief description]

This paper, published by UNIFEM, brings together the insights and analysis from the 2001 International Conference on Gender Budget Initiatives in Belgium. It presents the collective experience, analysis and evaluation of more than a dozen international experts on concepts and tools as well as country level experiences..

This paper describes experiences of the CIS countries with integrating gender equality in national policies and budgets. It includes recommendations on improving gender analysis throughout national plans, strengthening links between policy and budgets, improving statistical development, and increasing national civil service capacities.

The Presentation published by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) offers recommendations to improve gender sensitivity in electoral processes, outlines legal and institutional frameworks, and lists various means of encouraging political mobilization and participation.

This manual, published by the United Nations Development Fund For Women (UNIFEM), is part of the leading training manuals aimed at building the capacities of the persons working in statistics departments and provides gender indicators in priority areas of concern. Indeed, indicators are an essential means enabling planners and decision-makers to measure gender inequalities. These indicators also provide the necessary information used by gender statistics experts to claim policies that lead to effective gender equality. This manual is intended to train the concerned parties or those who might join working groups commissioned to draw up gender statistics in their countries, introducing statistical saff and users to the various elements constituting gender issues, and training male and female participants to analyze and present gender statistics.

Gender Mainstreaming in Parliaments: International Best Practices [ English ]. 2005 [brief description]

Paper Published by ONA-UNDP that serves as a guide for parliamentarians to facilitate gender mainstreaming into the main functions of parliament such as representation, oversight, and legislation. It also highlights emerging gender issues within these areas and ways to integrate them through a gender perspective.

Gender Responsive Budgeting and Women’s Reproductive Rights: A Resource Pack [ English ]. 2006 [brief description]

This resource pack, published by UNIFEM/UNFPA, provides relevant knowledge to facilitate mainstreaming gender-responsive approaches into reproductive health programmes, and the inclusion of specific aspects of gender inequality and disadvantage into national policy frameworks. It focuses primarily on health, particularly reproductive health; on HIV/AIDS; and on violence against women as it relates to health services.

The training manual on gender responsive budgeting (GRB) is intended to build the capacity of UNFPA and UNIFEM staff in applying gender budget analysis tools in their programming around gender equality and women’s rights, it will also assist them in supporting gender budget initiatives wherever they exist. The manual specifically seeks to build understanding of GRB as a tool for promoting gender equity, accountability to women’s rights as well as efficiency and transparency in budget policies and processes.

This United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) manual specifically seeks to build understanding of gender responsive budgeting as a tool for promoting gender equity and transparency in budget policies and processes. This version of the Manual has a specific reference to Central and Eastern Europe and the CIS region.

Governing Systems and Executive-Legislative Relations (Presidential, Parliamentary and Hybrid Systems) [ English ]. 2000 [brief description]

A UNDP-MAGNET technical series publication. The report examines three aspects of executive-legislative relations, the separation of powers, the removal from office and the structure of legislative parties and leadership.

Guidelines on the Rights and Duties of the Opposition in Parliament [ English ]. 1999 [brief description]

The representatives of African Parliaments meeting in Libreville from 17 to 19 May 1999 on the occasion of the Parliamentary Seminar on Relations Between Majority and Minority Parties in African Parliaments adopted these guidelines for the rights and duties of the opposition in parliament. The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) in co-operation with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) organized the seminar at the invitation of the Parliament of Gabon.

A UNDP-MAGNET technical series publication. The report discusses the legislative needs assessment, what should it do for decision-makers? When should UNDP respond to a request for assistance? From whom should requests for assistance come? What should an assessment review? How well does the legislature perform its lawmaking and oversight functions? And who should conduct the assessment? Sample Terms of Reference for Legislative Needs Assessment

A UNDP-MAGNET technical series publication. The report analyses how legislatures are organized internally in order to expedite the execution of legislature functions of lawmaking, representation and oversight.

Jordanian Woman's Participation in Politics: Analytical Study of the Parliamentary conduct in the Fourteenth Parliament Council [ Arabic ]. 2007 [brief description]

This report, published by the United Nations Development Fund For Women (UNIFEM) in collaboration with the National Committee for Women, aims at shedding light on and studying the situation of Jordanian women in terms of political participation and the role of political will in guaranteeing the presence and integration of women in decision-making processes in Jordan. It also deals with the obstacles and challenges facing women in politics, and places emphasis on women political participation in Jordan since the beginning of 2003 when Provisional Law No. 34, dated 2001on Parliamentary Elections, known as the Women Quota Law, was amended. The report contains an anaysis and comparison between the strengths and weaknesses in the law within the national context.

A UNDP-MAGNET technical series publication. The report examines the lawmaking function of the legislature and the related processes of introducing, considering and enacting laws.

A UNDP-MAGNET technical series publication. The report examines the question of how many chambers a parliament should have, a unicameral or bicameral system and the perception underlying each view.

A UNDP-MAGNET technical series publication. The report discusses the importance of legislative constituency relations, the key issues and challenges faced by legislatures in developing countries with regard to the legislative-constituency relations and the activities and structures to enhance these relations, such as reforming the electoral systems, opening the legislature to the public, public hearings, strengthening civil society groups, civic education, etc.

Manual on Legislative Drafting for the Iraqi Council of Representatives [ Arabic ]. 2008 [brief description]

This manual was prepared by Mr. Mahmoud Sabra, one of the Arab region’s leading experts in legislative drafting, and was published by UNDP-POGAR as part of the project entitled “Strengthening the Capacities of the Iraqi Council of Representatives”. This manual is designed specifically for the Iraqi Council of Representatives, and contains guidelines on how to read, analyze, and draft a bill. The purpose of the Manual is to help members of the Iraqi Council of Representatives and legal councilors perform their duties as efficiently and effectively as possible.

The present note establishes a policy framework for the services that United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) provides in parliamentary development. It draws on the UNDP experiences and the expertise available throughout its network of 132 country offices. It will be updated every two years to incorporate new learning and policy advice.

This report, published by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), argues that women in parliament can have a positive impact on the political process and strongly advocates for gender equality in parliament. It also includes a brief case study of women legislators in Rwanda.

The Parliamentary Development Strategy Note establishes a policy framework for UNDP activities in that field. After an extended review of the 2003 Parliamentary Development Practice Note, the new Strategy Note takes into consideration lessons from the field and emerging issues to provide practical advice for UNDP governance practitioners.

A legal and institutional resource and manual published by the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) based on the constitution of Afghanistan which is intended for trainers accustoming target beneficiaries, especially those lacking a legal background, to study and refer to the constitution with the aim of instigating debate and research.

Parliaments, Crisis Prevention and Recovery: Guidelines for the International Community [ English ][ French ]. 2006

The Passport to Equality is a publication that presents, explains and reproduces CEDAW in the form of a personal passport. The purpose of the Passport is to make women and men all over the world aware of the existence of the Convention.

Performance Based Budgeting from a Gender Perspective- Egypt [ Arabic ]. 2004 [brief description]

The following resource book, produced by the Public Administration Research and Consultation Centre (PARC) of Cairo University in collaboration with the Egyptian National Council for women, explains performance based budgeting and ways of integrating gender into those budgets. The book also provides a number of examples and practical tools.

Performances of Resistance: Women's Struggle for Political Power in Cambodia [ English ]. 2006 [brief description]

Paper published by UN-INSTRAW exploring strategies employed by Cambodian women to resist male domination within the political sphere. It investigates ways of eliminating gender hierarchies and altering gender stereotypes and roles. To that end, it addresses two main processes which are networking and mobilization, and the formation on new identities by Cambodian women.

Paper published by the United Nations Division for the Advancement of Women (UN-DAW).The paper analyses the interaction of gender issues with political parties and the relationship between the two in order to assess under which circumstances political parties incorporate gender demands, and the tendency of political parties to be more or less committed to the advancement of gender policies. The paper focuses on the countries of Latin America but may also be applied beyond the continent and to a broader context.

This paper explores some of most common questions on gender, recalls basic obligations for UNDP staff, and develops a human rights-based approach to practical tools for democratic governance practitioners in terms of gender programming per cluster.

Progress of the World's Women 2008/2009: Who Answers to Women? [ English ]. 2008 [brief description]

Report published by the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) providing an analysis on the non-achievement of gender equality commitments endorsed in the MDGs and suggests that the phenomenon is the result of lack of accountability to women. The report stresses that women must be legitimate members of any oversight or accountability process as their involvement would result in more positive outcomes.

Promoting Gender Equality in New Aid Modalities and Partnerships [ English ]. 2006 [brief description]

The Paris Declaration on Aid Effectiveness calls for donors to increase aid and to adopt concrete actions that can be monitored while aid delivery and management is reformed. This discussion paper identifies an initial set of considerations to ensure that gender equality is central to the aid effectiveness agenda. It highlights gender responsive budgets as one of the important tools in this realm. It is intended for policy-makers currently adjusting to the new aid modalities.

Report of the Second Tri-Partite Meeting on Follow-Up of the World Summit for Social Development [ English ]. 1999 [brief description]

Report on the Status of Women in Yemen Five Years After Beijing 1995 [ English ]. 2002 [brief description]

The report published by The United Nations Development Fund for Women - Arab States evaluates the status of women in Yemen five years after the signing of the Beijing Platform for Action. It reviews women's involvement in a number of areas including their involvement in decision-making processes.

Securing the Peace: Guiding the International Community towards Women's Effective Participation throughout Peace Processes [ English ]. 2005 [brief description]

This publication provides concrete recommendations to support women's effective participation at all stages of a peace process, promote gender-sensitive peace negotiations and agreements, and encourage the mainstreaming of a gender perspective throughout the implementation of peace accords.

Status of Jordanian Women: Demography, Economic Participation, Political Participation and Violence [ English ][ Arabic ]. 2004 [brief description]

The report was prepared in collaboration with the national Department of Statistics and the Jordanian National Commission for Women, and includes in-depth analysis of gender gaps and disparities. The report is intended to be a tool for policy-makers and practitioners to report on CEDAW and progress towards the Millennium Development Goals, as well as facilitate better planning and equitable resource allocation in national budgeting.

Strengthening Parliament Involvement in the Poverty Reduction Strategy Process and the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) - Toolkit 1 [ English ]. 2004 [brief description]

"Legislative-Executive Communication on Poverty Reduction Strategies" - The handbook emerged from pilot activities, designed by UNDP in partnership with NDI, to strengthen the capacity of legislatures and civil society to participate in the Poverty Reduction Strategy Process (PRSP). This toolkit is intended to provide resources for different stakeholders on legislative involvement in poverty reduction. Some of the topics discussed are: legislative-executive communication on poverty reductions strategies; challenges to smooth legislative - executive communication; cultivating awareness of MDGs and clarifying the PRSP process; information categories and legislative resources on poverty; the communication tools for parliamentary committees; communication tools for the individual MP or party caucus; and media and technology as tools to improve communication.

Strengthening Parliament Involvement in the Poverty Reduction Strategy Process and the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) - Toolkit 2 [ English ][ French ]. 2004 [brief description]

"Parliamentary-Civic Collaboration for Monitoring Poverty Reduction Initiatives" The handbook emerged from pilot activities, designed by UNDP in partnership with NDI, to strengthen the capacity of legislatures and civil society to participate in the Poverty Reduction Strategy Process (PRSP). It is intended to provide resources for concerned stakeholders on legislative involvement in poverty reduction. The toolkit sheds light on global initiatives for poverty reduction; assessing the potential for collaboration and identifying partners; building legislative-civic relationships; creating and maintaining monitoring strategies; maintaining a positive relationship through the monitoring process; and the use of monitoring findings.

Strengthening Parliament Involvement in the Poverty Reduction Strategy Process and the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Toolkit 3: Legislative Public Outreach on Poverty Issues [ English ][ French ]. 2004 [brief description]

The handbook emerged from pilot activities, designed by UNDP in partnership with NDI, to strengthen the capacity of legislatures and civil society to participate in the Poverty Reduction Strategy Process (PRSP). It is intended to provide resources for MPs, parliamentary staff, civic leaders, social networks and the international community on legislative involvement in poverty reduction. It sheds light on legislative public outreach on poverty issues through discussing the relation between poverty, national reforms and constituents; the reasons for conducting a legislative public outreach on poverty; strategies for pro-poor public outreach; institutional public outreach; outreach by committees; outreach by parliamentary party groups; individual efforts to communicate with constituents.

Strengthening Parliamentary Involvement in the Poverty Reduction Strategy Process and the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) [ English ][ French ]. 2004 [brief description]

Strengthening Parliaments in Conflict/Post-conflict Situations: Case Study on Yemen [ English ]. 2005 [brief description]

Strengthening the Role of Women Parliamentarians in the Arab Region: Challenges and Options [ English ]. 1999 [brief description]

Supporting Parliaments as Mediators In Conflict and Post-Conflict Situations [ English ]. 2005 [brief description]

The Role of Parliament in Mastering Situations of Radical Change: The Creation of a Democratic Germany after World War Two and German reunification in 1990 [ English ]. 2005 [brief description]

The Role of Parliaments in Conflict and Post-Conflict Situations: Comparative Study of Five Arab Countries [ English ]. 2005 [brief description]

The present study aims at assessing the role of parliament in preventing, managing and resolving conflict. The assessment builds on field research conducted in four selected countries: Algeria, Iraq, Lebanon, Sudan and Yemen.

Towards Achieving the MDGs in Sudan: Centrality of Women’s Leadership and Gender Equality [ English ]. 2005 [brief description]

This publication examines the relationship between women leadership and gender equality. It sheds light on promoting effective participation of Sudanese women in the peace process, and draws conclusions and recommendations on the centrality of women's leadership and gender equality to the MDG's in Sudan.

This study covers three major topics: first, women and international instruments of human rights; second, Jordan’s position in respect of these instruments; and third, how women’s legal status has been affected by these instruments. The report also identifies areas if legal concern relevant to the legal status of Jordanian women. The report also examines the status of women in Jordan in other areas including education, health, economic empowerment and the family. The report recognizes that considerable achievements have been made in terms of improvements in women’s status, but nevertheless highlights areas of particular concern in respect of women’s health and economic stats.

Women’s representation rate in parliament is one of the most important gender indicators signifying level of women’s political participation, which is still low at the international level 13.4% and also in the Arab World 4.6%. During the past three decades, women’s status in Syria has faced radical changes in the area of strengthening women’s capacity in education, work and her general participation. This study is an attempt to examine the political system in Syria and identify obstacles and challenges facing women’s political empowerment.

The manual, published by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), is designed for trainers and workshops facilitators on gender-responsive budgeting (GRB) and includes materials such as presentations and background information to be used during workshops.

The Parliamentary Development Practice Note establishes a policy framework for the services that UNDP provides in parliamentary development. It describes the niche of UNDP as a partner in parliamentary development, provides practical advice and guidance for UNDP governance practitioners and sets out key trends and lessons learned from parliamentary development experiences.

Win With Women - Strengthen Political Parties: Global Action Plan [ English ]. 2005 [brief description]

A report published by National Democratic Institute (NDI) discussing the Global Action Plan developed by the Win with Women initiative. Includes recommendations on increasing the participation of women in politics on the parliamentary, provincial, local, and political party level, in addition to advocating for legislation that embeds full equality for women and men.

Women & Elections: Guide to Promoting the Participation of Women in Elections [ English ]. 2005 [brief description]

This handbook, published by the United Nations Department of Public Information, is intended to provide a quick reference guide to assist different actors working to promote greater participation of women in electoral processes in post conflict countries. Some of the topics discussed are the political participation, voter registration, voter and civil education, election administration and observation.

Women and Elections: Guide to Promoting the Participation of Women in Elections [ English ]. 2005 [brief description]

The current handbook is intended to provide a quick reference guide to assist headquarters- and field-based actors from the United Nations, Governments and civil society working to promote greater participation of women in electoral processes in post-conflict countries.

Speech to a lecture series sponsored by Trinidad and Tobago's Ministry of Community, Culture, and Gender Affairs and the United Nations Development Programme. Its main focus is on women's representation as it constitutes one of three indicators on gender equality and women's empowerment, a Millennium Development Goal (MDG) that has been unfulfilled on the assigned year, 2005.

Women and Political Participation in the United Arab Emirates [ English ]. 2007 [brief description]

This study is an attempt to examine the political system in the United Arab Emirates and identify obstacles and challenges facing women’s political empowerment including the degree of prejudice of Emirati society towards women political empowerment.

Women and Political Participation in the United Arab Emirates: Political Participation of Women From the Perspective of the Educated Members of the Bahraini Society [ English ][ Arabic ]. 2007 [brief description]

This study, published by the United Nations Development Fund For Women (UNIFEM) and the Supreme Council for Women, is an attempt to examine the political system in Bahrain and identify obstacles and challenges facing women’s political empowerment including the degree of prejudice of Bahraini society towards women political empowerment.

This book tells many inspiring stories of women who have actively negotiated peace amidst their countries' conflicts. "Women at the Peace Table" describes the obstacles faced by women who wanted to get involved in peace negotiations and the strategies they adopted to make a pos itive impact on peace negotiations.

Report published by the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) examining actions and strategies taken to advance women's participation in power and decision making within parliament structures in seven states in the Caribbean region. Attention is given to the challenges and limitations encountered in efforts to move this issue forward. An overview of institutional changes that have taken place in the region is also provided.

Women’s Political Participation: Meeting on Women and Political Participation - 21st Century Challenges [ English ]. 1999 [brief description]

Women's Political Participation and Good Governance: 21st Century Challenges [ English ]. 2000 [brief description]

The present report focuses on a number of issues including progress made in women’s political participation since Beijing, the Indian experiment with constitutional amendments mandating the reservation of one third of local government-elected representation to women, and the wider connection between gender, poverty and governance.