A WEB

The Association of World Election Bodies (A-WEB) organized the 7th Election Management Capacity Building Program (CBP) from November 7th to 16th. A total of 14 electoral officials from seven countries, Albania, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Iraq, Mexico, Romania, and Somalia, participated in the program. On the theme of “The Role of EMBs in Promoting Gender Equality and Women’s Political Participation,” the participants shared the current status of the women’s political participation in each country and established an action plan to enhance women’s political participation and gender equality based on different lectures and discussions.

(Ms. Drilona Hoxhaj from Albania is presenting the electoral system in her country.)

(Professor Kyung-bae Park from the Central Officials Training Institute of Korea is explaining to participants an action plan)

During the sessions on the 7th and 8th, the participants shared their respective status of the political participation of women, related systems, and emerging issues, and discussed how to draft an action plan to address those issues.

(Ms. Gina Chirillo from IFES is delivering her presentation on the role of EMBs in promoting participation of women in elections)

In the afternoon session on the 8th, Ms. Gina Chirillo from IFES gave a lecture to the participants on ”A Guide for Electoral Management Bodies on Promoting Gender Equality and Women’s Participation.” She highlighted that it is important for EMBs to ensure their internal processes and practices are gender sensitive and discussed, with the participants, the importance of setting specific and clear goals to achieve gender equality and ensure women are represented throughout the entire organization.

(Ms. Pilar Tello Rozas from International IDEA is sharing the progress in women’s political participation in Latin America)

(In the Pilar Tello Rozas’ session, the participants are comparing the percentage of female members in each national parliament)

On the 9th, Ms. Carolina Floru and Ms. Pilar Tello Rozas from the International IDEA presented the women’s political participation in Latin America including Bolivia and introduced challenges they faced. The participants gathered in groups to compare the relevant legal systems of each country for the promotion of women’s participation in political and electoral processes and discuss what could be applied to their home countries to induce more female political participation.

(Group photo of the participants at Seoul N Tower)

(Group photo of the participants wearing Hanbok at Gyeongbokgung Palace)

On the culture tour day, the participants visited historic sites and attractions in Seoul including Seoul N Tower, Gyeongbokgung Palace, and Namdaemun Market. Especially, they enjoyed the atmosphere of the Korean royal palace, wearing Hanbok (Korean traditional attire). The participants had a chance to get in touch with the Korean culture and history.

(Dr. Irena Had?iabdi?, Member of the Central Election Commission of Bosnia and Herzegovina is sharing the experience of Bosnia and Herzegovina to enhance women’s political participation)

(The participants are asking questions at the session by Dr. Irena Had?iabdi?)

In the morning session on the 12th, Dr. Irena Had?iabdi?, Commissioner of the Central Election Commission of Bosnian-Herzegovina (CEC of BiH). She shared what policies and practices the CEC of BiH has put in place in order to encourage women to actively participate in the electoral and political process including the establishment of gender equality policies, training, and raising awareness on the importance of women’s participation in politics. She also led in-depth discussions with the participants on the gender quota system.

(Ms. Nelly Sann from the Union Election Commission of Myanmar is explaining UEC’s efforts to achieve gender equality)

In the afternoon session on the day, Ms. Nelly Sann from the Union Election Commission of Myanmar delivered her presentation on what UEC has done so for the promotion of gender equality and women’s rights. She presented Myanmar’s past and present on women’s political participation and how hard UEC and its officials have been working to enhance women’s political participation. She also discussed with participants how cultural and social norms can act as barriers to women’s political participation and what efforts should be made to break those barriers.

(Ms. Najla Braham from the Independent High Authority for Elections of Tunisia is talking about what efforts Arab countries have made to induce women’s political participation)

(Prof. Seonghun Jang from the National Election Commission of Korea is sharing the women’s political representation in Korea)

On the morning of the 13th, Ms. Najla Braham from the Independent High Authority for Elections of Tunisia gave a lecture on strengthening women’s political participation in the Arab countries and introduced the Arab EMBs. In the afternoon session, Professor Seonghun Jang from the National Election Commission of Korea gave a lecture on “The Political Representation and Participation of Women in Korea”. After the introduction and comparison of women’s political participation in Korea and other countries, he introduced Korea’s legal support to promote women’s political participation including the gender quota system, zipper system, and the development costs for women’s politics.

(Group photo of the participants at the National Election Commission of Korea)

On the 14th, the participants visited the National Election Commission of Korea and learned about how democracy in Korea has evolved. They also had an opportunity to take a look at voting machines, a polling booth, and an optical counting scanner used in the Korean election management.

(Mr. Gem Tshewang (left) from Bhutan and Ms. Sadia Shurie (right) from Somalia is presenting their action plan)

On the 15th, the participants presented action plans and had discussions on solutions each team provided. Through this activity, they had a chance to draft feasible plans and policies tailored to their country’s political and electoral system.

(Group photo of the participants and A-WEB staffs at the Closing Ceremony)

The 7th Election Management Capacity Building Program concluded on the 16th with the closing ceremony. Through this program, the participants were able to look at the status of women’s empowerment and political representation not only in their countries but also around the world and to develop strategies for improving gender equality and participation of women in elections together by drafting their action plan.