NDI - Bolivia

Latin American Women Legislators Share Ideas for Advancing Women’s Issues Across the Region

ggreene — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 20:46:06 +0000

While women in Latin America have significantly increased their political participation and successes since the early 1990s and won a growing number of seats in legislatures, advances have not been uniform across countries. To help move their agenda forward, senior women legislators from seven countries recently gathered in Mexico City to exchange information about best practices and lessons learned.

Since the early 1990s, women in Latin America have significantly increased their political participation and successes. But while the number of women legislators has increased, advances have not been uniform across countries and women are continuing to seek more recognition of their interests. In some countries, women legislators have formed committees on gender; in others, more informal groups have been created to address specific issues. But the strength and effectiveness of these groups differ from country to country.

To help move their agenda forward, senior women legislators from seven countries gathered in Mexico City in February 2009 to exchange information about best practices and lessons learned.

“If we do not design concrete strategies for our work,” said Uruguay Senator Monica Xavier, “we could not advocate effectively, even with a great agenda and a higher number of female legislators.”

The senators and deputies – from Bolivia, Colombia, El Salvador, Guatemala, México, Peru and Uruguay – participated in a series of panel discussions that addressed challenges faced by women working in parliaments and how to increase women’s participation in public life. The group included presidents of gender commissions, heads of parliamentary caucuses, former ministers and recently-elected legislators.

The gathering, “Women Working Together: Promoting Gender Perspective in the Legislative Agenda,” was organized by NDI with the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA) and the Mexican Chamber of Deputies. It was held Feb. 26 to 28.

Among the challenges identified by the group were the lack of teamwork among women legislators both within party caucuses and across party linesand problems created when party agendas compete with women’s priorities. Another challenge was establishing collaborative relationships with civil society groups.

After three days of discussion, the women legislators concluded that:

Women participating in commissions and/or caucuses should do a better job of informing citizens about their work and achievements, and should use the media more effectively.
Women should establish a common agenda with specific strategies to carry it out.
Women parliamentarians should create a regional network that would encourage stronger relationships among the region’s women’s caucuses and commissions.
Support from international organizations is a key element to facilitating exchanges between women legislators and women’s commissions, and caucuses should seek that support.
Participants should share information across the region on women’s legislation, such as preventing violence against women, so best practices can be identified and exchanged.

The regional meeting sparked activities in the individual countries after participants returned home. The delegation from Guatemala, for example, decided to create its own national caucus.

The regional meeting also included a two-hour advanced training program on consensus building and a presentation on iKNOW Politics, an online portal through which women in politics network and share information, knowledge and expertise. The portal was launched in 2007 by NDI in partnership with the International IDEA, the Inter-Parliamentary Union, the United Nations Development Programme and the United Nations Development Fund for Women.

The program is funded by the National Endowment for Democracy.

Pictured above: Participants in the recent NDI gathering of women in Latin American parliaments.

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Published on April 3, 2009

Bolivia’s Political Party System and the Incentives for Pro-Poor Reform

jbowen — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 17:50:59 +0000

Author:

National Democratic Institute

Publisher:

National Democratic Institute

Published Date:

10/01/2004

Resource Type:

Report

Language:

English

Attachment	Size
Part 1	329.87 KB
Part 2	436.35 KB
Part 3	1.01 MB
Part 4	749.71 KB
Part 5	623.25 KB
Part 6	828.87 KB
Cover	1.08 MB
Full report	2.9 MB

NDI Examines Link Between Bolivian Political Reform And Poverty Reduction

jbowen — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 15:47:44 +0000

A new report assesses how Bolivia’s political leaders can effectively administer democratic reforms to help alleviate the challenges of poverty.

The findings of an NDI report on the links between political reform and poverty reduction in Bolivia were the framework for round table discussions in late February that brought together 195 political actors from around the country and across the political spectrum, including local government representatives as well as party and civil society leaders

NDI has examined how democratic reforms in Bolivia can help political parties to develop responsive and sustainable policies that help democracy “deliver” improved government services as well as economic reform and poverty reduction programs. Bolivia’s economy and the distribution of wealth throughout the country continue to be of great concern to its citizens. According to Latinobarómetro, a 2007 regional public opinion survey, two thirds of Bolivian respondents felt that wealth was distributed unjustly.

With funding from the U.K. Department for International Development (DFID), NDI conducted a two-year assessment of the linkage in Bolivia between political reform and poverty reduction. The Institute’s findings and recommendations were documented in a 2007 report, The Political Party System in Bolivia 2004-2006: Opportunities for Pro-Poor Reform.

Participants in the round table discussions noted that a deeper understanding of existing incentive structures will help them carry out necessary internal party reforms and help parties to act as catalysts to make changes that will help the poor. Through its ongoing political party strengthening work in Bolivia, NDI will follow-up with participants as they attempt to identify and shape potential reforms to strengthen the linkage between political reform and poverty reduction.

Read the Report:

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Published on June 16, 2008

London DFID Presentation

jbowen — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 20:20:15 +0000

Author:

Jim Swigert

Publisher:

National Democratic Institute

Published Date:

06/12/2008

Resource Type:

Speech

Language:

English

Attachment	Size
Read the speech	47.89 KB

The Political Party System in Bolivia: 2004-2006: Opportunities for Pro-Poor Reform

jbowen — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 10:53:46 +0000

Author:

National Democratic Institute

Publisher:

National Democratic Institute

Published Date:

11/24/2008

Resource Type:

Report

Language:

English, Spanish

NDI received funding from the U.K. Department for International Development (DFID) to promote a greater understanding of the linkages between political reform and poverty reduction among key political actors in Bolivia. According to the Latin Barometer and national surveys in Latin America, poverty and inequality are key citizen concerns especially in the Andean region. Understanding the linkages between economic development and democratic government can reveal opportunities to address these concerns. Successful reforms will create incentives for political parties, whether in government or opposition, to develop responsive and sustainable policies that help democracy “deliver” for its citizens, resulting in improved government service delivery and effective economic reform and poverty reduction programs.

Examining these issues, NDI published an assessment report, “The Political Party System in Bolivia 2004-2006: Opportunities for Pro-Poor Reform.” In 2008, NDI used the report findings as the framework for round table discussions with 195 political actors around the country and across the political spectrum regarding the relationship between political reform and poverty-reducing economic growth. NDI will follow-up with participants through its ongoing political party strengthening work as they identify and shape potential reforms to strengthen the linkage between political reform and poverty reduction. This report was based on initial research conducted for a DFID-funded October 2004 assessment, “Bolivia’s Political Party System and the Incentives for Pro-Poor Reform.”

Note: The first link below connects to the English-language version of the article. The second link connects to the Spanish version.

English

Spanish

Attachment	Size
Read the report (English)	809.75 KB
Read the report (Spanish)	855.07 KB

NDI 2005 Annual Report

vrao — Fri, 02 Nov 2007 05:00:00 +0000

Author:

National Democratic Institute

Publisher:

National Democratic Institute

Published Date:

12/01/2005

Resource Type:

Report

Language:

English

Attachment	Size
Read the report	6.23 MB

Why Isn’t This Working? Identifying Local Bottlenecks to National Poverty Reduction Policies

vrao — Tue, 14 Jun 2005 04:00:00 +0000

Author:

National Democratic Institute

Publisher:

National Democratic Institute

Published Date:

02/11/2005

Resource Type:

Report

Language:

English

Attachment	Size
Read the report	59.07 KB

The Politics of Poverty, Recognizing the Impact of Incentive Structures and Political Institutions on National Poverty Reduction

vrao — Tue, 14 Jun 2005 04:00:00 +0000

Author:

National Democratic Institute

Publisher:

National Democratic Institute

Published Date:

05/01/2004

Resource Type:

Report

Language:

English, Spanish

English

Spanish

Attachment	Size
Read the report in English	94.88 KB
Read the report in Spanish	94.88 KB

Bolivia

vrao — Mon, 13 Jun 2005 04:00:00 +0000

Author:

National Democratic Institute

Publisher:

National Democratic Institute

Published Date:

10/01/2004

Resource Type:

Report

Language:

English

Attachment	Size
Read the report	1.01 MB

NDI Reports: A Review of the Activities of the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs

vrao — Mon, 21 Jul 2003 04:00:00 +0000

Author:

National Democratic Institute

Publisher:

National Democratic Institute

Published Date:

12/01/2008

Resource Type:

Newsletter

Language:

English

Attachment	Size
Spring 2011: Digital Mapping, Women's Participation, Domestic Monitoring	1.2 MB
December 2008: Making Democracy Deliver	2.37 MB
Summer 2008: Kosovo, Pakistan, Sudan	571.9 KB
Summer 2007: Youth, Women, Technology	801.33 KB
Summer 2006: Bosnia, Liberia, West Bank and Gaza	462.92 KB
Fall 2005: Kosovo, Iraq, Kuwait	865.42 KB
Spring 2005: Ukraine, Iraq, Afghanistan	813.77 KB
Spring 2004: Win With Women, Elections in Eurasia	615.17 KB
Fall 2003: Celebrating 20 Years	808.11 KB
Spring 2003: Women's Leadership in Yemen, Nepal, Senegal	468.06 KB
Fall 2002: Democracy in the Middle East, Cuba	547.6 KB
Spring 2002: Asian Political Parties, Afghanistan	528.32 KB
Winter 2001: Sept. 11, Nicaragua, Belarus	507.47 KB
Summer 2001: Election Monitors in Central & Eastern Europe	683 KB
Spring 2001: Mexico, Peru, Serbia	732.14 KB
Winter 2000: Zimbabwe, Croatia, Thailand	2.52 MB
Winter 1999: Indonesia, Nigeria, Azerbaijan	3.23 MB
Fall 1999: Nigeria, Indonesia, Morocco	1.29 MB
Winter 1998: Kenya, Poland, Northern Ireland	2.26 MB
Summer 1998: Hong Kong, Ukraine, Ghana	2.01 MB
Winter 1997: Nicaragua, South Africa, Ghana	2.93 MB
Summer 1996: Russia, International Leaders Forum	2.98 MB
Spring 1996: West Bank Gaza, Bosnia, Burundi	2.4 MB
Winter 1995: West Bank Gaza, Ukraine, Malawi	3.28 MB
Fall 1995: South Africa, Russia, Yemen	2.22 MB
Summer 1995: Haiti, Peru, Malawi	2.68 MB
Spring 1994: South Africa, Mexico, Ethiopia	3.43 MB
Summer 1993: Russia, Namibia, Nicaragua	3.52 MB
Spring 1993: Cambodia, South Africa, Yemen	3.71 MB
Spring 1992: Romania, South Africa, Bolivia	1.99 MB
Winter 1991: Zambia, Poland, the Baltics	2.05 MB
Summer 1991: Zambia, Mexico, Bangladesh	1.26 MB
Spring 1991: Namibia, Russia, Senegal	1.36 MB
Winter 1990: Poland, Namibia, Bangladesh	1.33 MB
Fall 1990: Former Soviet Republics, Haiti, Bulgaria	2.07 MB
Summer 1990: Eastern Europe, Dominican Republic, Haiti	2.7 MB
Spring 1990: Hungary, Nicaragua, Panama	1.3 MB
Winter 1989: Pakistan, Argentina, Chile	1.59 MB
Fall 1988: Chile, Pakistan, Nicaragua	1.26 MB
Summer 1988: Costa Rica, Panama, Chile	1.61 MB
Spring 1988: Tunisia, Chile, Paraguay	1.28 MB
Winter 1987: Haiti, Chile, Nicaragua	1.84 MB
Fall 1987: Haiti, Uruguay, Nicaragua	1.43 MB
Spring 1987: Argentina, Philippines, Haiti	1.22 MB
Spring 1986: Philippines, Brazil, Northern Ireland	2.26 MB
Summer 1986: Chile, South Korea, Northern Ireland	2.92 MB
Winter 1986: Mondale Assumes Chairmanship, Argentina, Haiti	3.96 MB
Summer 1985: Senegal, Northern Ireland, South America	1.15 MB

Civic Updates

vrao — Wed, 21 Feb 2001 05:00:00 +0000

Author:

National Democratic Institute

Publisher:

National Democratic Institute

Published Date:

05/01/2010

Resource Type:

Civic Update

Language:

English

Attachment	Size
Issue 35: GOTV, Voter Information & Voter Education (Jan. '11)	1.04 MB
Issue 34: Structuring and Maintaining Partnerships (Sept. '10)	306.87 KB
Issue 33: Political Process Monitoring (May '10)	419.89 KB
Issue 32: Defending Space for Citizen Participation (Aug. '09)	204.87 KB
Issue 31: Best Practices for Meaningful Citizen Engagement (April '09)	540.61 KB
Issue 30: Context Matters (Jan. '09)	311.87 KB
Issue 29: Voice, Space and Accountability (Aug. '08)	869.11 KB
Issue 28: Communications Tools (May '08)	207.88 KB
Issue 27: Using Information and Communications Techonologies (Jan. '08)	486.89 KB
Issue 26: Working with Marginalized Populations (Sept. '07)	283.24 KB
Issue 25: Ten Years of Civic Updates (July '07)	258.56 KB
Issue 24: Making Democracy Deliver (Feb. '07)	413.86 KB
Issue 23: Positive Partnerships with Local Groups (May '06)	268.06 KB
Issue 22: Political Activism for People with Disablities (Dec. '05)	458.7 KB
Issue 21: Local Fundraising and Volunteer Recruitment (July '05)	221.65 KB
Issue 20: Tips from NDI Practioners (April '05)	561.26 KB
Issue 19: Get Out The Vote (Dec. '04)	496.75 KB
Issue 18: Involving Youth in the Political Process (July '04)	277.27 KB
Issue 17: Monitoring as a Driver of Change (Feb. '04)	488.58 KB
Issue 16: Citizen Surveys and Other Organizing Tools (Nov. '03)	546.03 KB
Issue 15: Making University Connections (Aug. '03)	579.18 KB
Issue 14: Focus Groups (May '03)	334.74 KB
Issue 13: Civic Forum (Nov. '02)	279.56 KB
Issue 12: Coalition Building (Jan. '02)	195.45 KB
Issue 11: Assessment Methods (Aug. '01)	84.74 KB
Issue 10: Partnership Approaches (April '01)	109.87 KB
Issue 9: What's Voting All About? (Oct. '99)	82.5 KB
Issue 8: Global Seminar on Advocacy and Democracy Development (June '99)	481.85 KB
Issue 7: How Civic Programs Increase Women's Participation in Processes (Dec. '98)	962.34 KB
Issue 6: Post-Conflict and Ethnic Divided Societies (July '98)	120.75 KB
Issue 5: Assessing Programs (March '98)	81.99 KB
Issue 4: Training (Nov. '97)	98.85 KB
Issue 3: Resources and Communication (July '97)	74.43 KB
Issue 2: Advocacy (April '97)	94.31 KB
Issue 1: Program Highlights from Around the World (Feb. '97)	121.71 KB

Bolivia: Reflexiones Sobre La Ley De Partidos Politicos

vrao — Wed, 24 Jan 2001 05:00:00 +0000

Author:

National Democratic Institute

Publisher:

National Democratic Institute

Published Date:

01/01/1993

Resource Type:

Report

Language:

Spanish

Attachment	Size
Read the report (Spanish)	4.57 MB

Future Political Leaders to Examine Challenges Facing Political Parties in the Americas

Wed, 24 Feb 1999 05:00:00 +0000

Author:

National Democratic Institute

Publisher:

National Democratic Institute

Published Date:

02/24/1999

Resource Type:

Press Release

Language:

English

Attachment	Size
Read the release	185.38 KB