NDI - Burkina Faso

In Burkina Faso, Legislators Emphasize Mining Oversight

fgalleto — Tue, 08 May 2012 21:02:48 +0000

Burkina Faso, one of the world’s poorest countries, has turned to gold exports as a way to boost its economy. It doubled gold production from 2009 to 2010 and launched two more mining projects late last year. These developments have created new jobs and other financial benefits, but have also raised some of the concerns that have plagued mining operations in other countries, such as environmental degradation or exploitation of workers.

As mining becomes central to the Burkinabe economy, oversight by the nation’s parliament is a crucial tool in avoiding these problems. To that end, a delegation of members of parliament (MPs) recently visited the Mana gold mine, one of seven industrial mines in Burkina Faso, located 125 miles west of the capital, Ouagadougou. The visiting MPs were members of the Network of Burkinabe Parliamentarians in the Fight Against Corruption (Burkindi), an informal, multiparty network of lawmakers that has been working since 2008 to prevent corruption. They were accompanied by representatives from government ministries and journalists. The site visit was organized by NDI.

Members of Burkindi visit the Mana gold mine.

The delegation visited the open-pit mine, as well as an exploration site, where miners are searching for new gold deposits; the mine laboratory, which tests samples to determine the quality of the gold; and the site where mine waste, such as used water and gold residue, is dumped. The mine director said that measures are taken to preserve the environment, including regular tests of the wastewater and the local water supply to limit pollution and monitor contamination. MPs interviewed mine officials about the impact of the open-air dump on the health of citizens and discussed concerns about the social impact of the mine, including its ability to create jobs for young people.

The delegation also met with citizens of Bana, the surrounding town. Residents hailed the jobs created by the mine, which has employed 564 people — 167 of them local — since its opening in 2008. But they also shared grievances, saying that the mine is not hiring as many young people as residents had hoped. Citizens also said that since the mine was built on what had been viable farmland, the nearby village of Somona was suffering from a shortage of arable land and needed the mine to create more jobs to help village residents. MPs took note of these complaints and will investigate them further.

The coordinator of Burkindi, Maurice Dieudonné Bonanet, said the MPs will provide recommendations to the mining company and the government based on what they learned from the site visit. The MPs will continue to monitor the situation as the mining company works to address the grievances voiced by citizens, according to Alfred Sanou, an MP from the ruling party in Houet province.

NDI has worked with governments throughout Africa since 2008 to improve transparency and government oversight of extractive industries. In 2008 the Institute published Transparency and Accountability in Africa’s Extractive Industries: The Role of the Legislature and followed by The Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative Guide for Legislators: How to Support and Strengthen Resource Transparency in 2009 to help African lawmakers as they work to curb corruption and increase transparency in the mining industry.

Related:

Published May 8, 2012

Loi No. 010-2009/An Portant Fixation De Quotas Aux Elections Legislatives Et Aux Elections Municipales Au Burkina Faso

fgalleto — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 21:26:52 +0000

Author:

National Democratic Institute

Publisher:

National Democratic Institute

Published Date:

04/16/2009

Resource Type:

Brochure

Language:

French, Moore, Jula, Fulfulde, Gulimancema

French

Attachment	Size
Read the brochure	12.07 MB

Guide Pratique Des Delegues De Partis Politiques Ou De Candidats Dans Le Bureau De Vote

fgalleto — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 21:18:19 +0000

Author:

National Democratic Institute

Publisher:

National Democratic Institute

Published Date:

01/01/2010

Resource Type:

Manual|Handbook

Language:

French

Attachment	Size
Read the manual	950.47 KB

Manuel A L'Attention Des Partis Politiques Et Des Elux Locaux

fgalleto — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 21:14:45 +0000

Author:

National Democratic Institute

Publisher:

National Democratic Institute

Published Date:

08/01/2010

Resource Type:

Manual|Handbook

Language:

French

Attachment	Size
Download the manual	922.95 KB

NDI Director Honored in Burkina Faso

fgalleto — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 16:54:03 +0000

Burkina Faso has awarded its highest national honor to Aminata Kassé, NDI senior resident director in the west African country. The National Order (l'Ordre National), which recognizes personal merit and eminent service to the country, was bestowed on Kassé on Dec. 10 in recognition of her contribution over the past seven years to the people of Burkina Faso, and especially to the country's women leaders and activists.

Aminata Kassé receives the l'Ordre National from Rigobert Siemdé, secretary general of the Grand Chancellery

When Kassé opened NDI's office in Ouagadougou in 2004, it was to oversee what was expected to be a six-month program. Prospects for future funding were low and it was expected that the restrictive political environment would make it difficult for pro-democracy activists to participate in NDI activities.

Today, seven years later, former program participants are playing lead roles in their respective communities. A former NDI staff member is the Minister of Women Affairs, and NDI’s grant from the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) for a multi-year women in politics project is the largest of its kind the Institute has received globally. "None of this could have happened without Aminata's leadership and dynamism," said Chris Fomunyoh, NDI senior associate and regional director for Central and West Africa.

"[Kassé] demonstrates by example the power of women's leadership. This recognition was long overdue."

- Nestorine Sangare, minister of women's affairs

At a reception following the award ceremony, the Minister of Women Affairs, Nestorine Sangare, thanked Kassé for her leadership and ability to empower people around her. "You have demonstrated by example the power of women's leadership. This recognition was long overdue," the minister said.

Kassé is a former member of parliament in her native Senegal, having served twice as a local councilor prior to that. She was president of the Senegalese Council of Women, a nonprofit organization with nationwide coverage, from 1998 to 2004.

Related:

Published Dec. 15, 2011

NDI E-news: Democracy Day, Libya, Pakistan, African Elections | Sept. 2011

fgalleto — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 15:15:40 +0000

Sept. 15, 2011

Happy Democracy Day!

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"Independence!" A woman casts her ballot in the January referendum creating the new country of South Sudan. Photo by Susan Stigant, senior program manager.

Sept. 15 is International Day of Democracy, an annual global celebration of human rights, the rule of law and other principles that unite democracies around the world. The day was designated by the United Nations to reaffirm the universality of democratic values and recognize the aspirations of people around the world to have a say in how they are governed and make free choices about how they live their lives.

Nowhere have those aspirations been more prominent this year than in North Africa, where popular uprisings have ousted dictators in Tunisia, Egypt and Libya. In Libya, the Institute has been working closely since April with the National Transitional Council (NTC) as it creates a plan for a constitution, elections, national security and the protection of civil liberties. In a country where political parties have been outlawed and maligned for 40 years, NDI is helping fledgling parties create platforms and attract supporters. Writing in the Washington Post, Les Campbell, NDI regional director for Middle East and North Africa programs, expressed optimism about the prospects of a successful transition and outlined the positive steps the council has taken already. Matyas Eörsi, resident country director in Benghazi, spoke to NPR about the high expectations — globally and in Libya — facing the country's new government.

For more than 25 years, in more than 70 countries, NDI has worked to strengthen new and emerging democracies. This Democracy Day, consider contributing to our work and support people in North Africa and around the world who want a voice in how their countries are governed.

Pakistan to Extend Political Reforms to FATA

President Asif Ali Zardari's recent decision to extend political and legal reforms to Pakistan's Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) is the result of a lengthy effort by political parties and other organizations to bring more democratic systems of governance to a region considered a haven for militants and religious extremists. The reforms, supported by NDI, will allow political parties to form and operate in FATA for the first time, and will amend a draconian criminal code first enacted by the British in 1848.

Ensuring Women and Young People Take Part in the Political Process

Women and youth have a significant role to play in new and emerging democracies. In Sudan, caricature art helps engage young people who feel excluded from the political process. In Burkina Faso and Iraq, women are learning the skills they need to run for office and build successful political careers. In Nicaragua, the first class of graduates to earn a certificate in leadership and political management are ready to start their political careers. And in Afghanistan, one young woman is helping others prepare for careers in government by starting an internship program that places students in provincial council offices.

Celebrate Democracy with these Upcoming Events

Save the date! NDI will hold its annual democracy dinner on Nov. 7. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will headline the event, which also includes a panel discussion on the Arab Spring. The dinner and an awards ceremony will recognize those who have spent a lifetime supporting democracy.

On Sept. 23, Alassane Ouattara, president of Côte d'Ivoire, will speak at NDI, where he will discuss his government's efforts to rebuild the country's economy and foster national reconciliation in the wake of violence following last November's election. This event is full, but will be streamed live.

Toward Better Elections in Africa

Across Africa, countries are taking steps to ensure more transparent and accountable elections. A recent referendum in Liberia was monitored by the Elections Coordinating Committee, a civil society coalition that provided a nonpartisan assessment of the process and will monitor upcoming presidential and legislative elections. In Côte d'Ivoire, which recently experienced a violent crisis in the aftermath of its November presidential election, citizen election monitors gathered to discuss their role in mitigating violence in legislative polls scheduled for later this year. And in Zambia and Mauritania, NDI fielded delegations that assessed both countries' preparedness for upcoming elections and suggested improvements.

Coming Together for Common Goals

Democracy can't solve longstanding political or cultural divisions overnight, but it can bring different groups together to discuss issues and arrive at common goals. In Bosnia, eight politicians are reaching across party and ethnic lines to tackle the country's biggest challenges together. And in Honduras, where the effects of a 2009 coup and constitutional crisis are still reverberating, a series of "democracy dialogues" is bringing people together to find common ground.

Public Opinion Research for Better Policy Platforms

Public opinion research helps political parties and governments address the issues their constituents care about most. In Iraq, people want politicians to focus on jobs, the economy, and water and power delivery. In Somalia, focus group research shows that citizens are losing faith in their transitional institutions and are looking for ways to provide ideas to move their country forward. In Belarus, citizens distrust the Lukashenko regime and blame it for current economic problems. But they remain pessimistic about the prospects for opposition parties. And in South Sudan, citizens want to end tribalism above all else, seeing themselves primarily as Southern Sudanese.

NDI's Washington Office is Moving

NDI's new office

Update your address book! As of Sept. 19, NDI's Washington, D.C., headquarters will be located at 455 Massachusetts Ave., NW, on the eighth floor. All telephone numbers will remain the same.

Leadership Academy Prepares Young Women for Political Careers in Burkina Faso

fgalleto — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 18:45:01 +0000

Women who want to enter politics in Burkina Faso face a number of barriers, such as lack of faith in their leadership abilities, few role models and limited opportunities. So it is a struggle in this West African country for women to run for office, rise within party ranks or contribute to party platforms. Those who manage to win elections don’t receive the same level of political party support and training as men and, as a result, have a harder time being successful as office holders.

An encouraging step toward increasing the number of women in politics is a 2009 law requiring that 30 percent of candidates on party lists be female. Local and national elections next year present an opportunity for political parties to put this quota into practice, particularly if they place more women at the top of candidate lists. Currently, only 15 percent of members of parliament are women.

Daily computer trainings and access to the academy’s computer lab helped women learn online networking tools, including email, Facebook and iKNOW Politics.

To help prepare women to run and move their priority issues onto party platforms, NDI organized the Young Women Political Party Activist Leadership Academy, a week-long political boot camp held in July for 50 young Burkinabe women from the five main political parties. The academy was funded by the Dutch Embassy in Burkina Faso.

Women attended sessions on communications, advocacy, conflict resolution and coalition building. But one of their primary concerns was to learn strategies for managing and balancing their time as mothers, employees and politicians. They sought information on how to successfully pursue a political career while caring and providing for their families. Trainers focused on ways to track time spent on each competing responsibility so they could meet their goals and still lead a balanced life.

Attendees also had the opportunity to meet with party leaders to discuss support for youth and women candidates and constituents, and better ways to carry out the quota law in upcoming elections.

Haoua Dia Thiam, president of the Senegalese Council of Women (Cosef) and a former member of parliament in Senegal, talked candidly about the challenges Cosef faced when bringing together women from all political parties and the benefits of uniting to work together as women. Barrie Freeman, then deputy regional director for NDI’s Central and West Africa programs, stressed that “building and sustaining strong, vibrant democracies depends on the robust participation of women in public life.” She encouraged the participants to “exchange ideas and develop their own individual strategies to climb the ladder of political success.”

Daily computer trainings and access to the academy’s computer lab helped women learn online networking tools, including email, Facebook and iKNOW Politics, an online network dedicated to the advancement of women in politics. Through iKNOW Politics, Burkinabe women can communicate with other women activists and leaders who use the site to exchange strategies, stories and advice. iKNOW Politics is a joint project of NDI, International IDEA, the Inter-Parliamentary Union, the United Nations Development Programme and UNWomen.

The academy concluded with teams developing initiatives to be carried out within their political parties in the coming months. The women outlined their goals, next steps and a timeline for increasing women’s visibility and power in Burkinabe politics. Each participant received a manual containing tools for young women activists to start taking immediate action in their parties.

NDI will continue to support the young women through coaching and mentoring as they carry out their initiatives. Projects include creating a multiparty young women’s coalition, training young women in political parties, and hosting an informational forum on the country’s quota law.

Related:

Published Aug. 29, 2011

Rising Through The Ranks: A Young Woman's Guide to Leadership and Political Party Engagement

fgalleto — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 21:07:08 +0000

Author:

National Democratic Institute

Publisher:

National Democratic Institute

Published Date:

07/31/2011

Resource Type:

Manual|Handbook

Language:

English, French

English

French

Attachment	Size
Read the manual (English)	1.54 MB
Read the manual (French)	2.96 MB

An African Adventure, and a Revelation

Wed, 06 Jul 2011 18:49:56 +0000

Source:

The New York Times

Article Link:

Published Date:

07/01/2011

After a recent trip to Africa, Nicholas Kristof chronicles the encouraging changes taking place and the continuing challenges facing the continent. While Africa's economy is booming, widespread problems such as malnutrition and disease still persist, although humanitarian aid programs from the United States have made significant impact. Kristof also notes the increasing presence of democracy on the continent. "Morocco is a window into one of the most striking trends in Africa: democratization. The number of electoral democracies in Africa has risen to 18 from 4 in the last decade, according to Freedom House, a nonprofit human rights organization based in Washington. Even in a country like Morocco, which is still a repressive monarchy, easing has occurred. It has freed some political prisoners, moved to strengthen its Parliament a bit and even established a truth and reconciliation commission."

West Africa Election Observers Join Together to Promote Credible Elections

Mon, 28 Feb 2011 16:26:59 +0000

West African elections can run the democratic gamut. From the peaceful presidential polls held in Ghana in 2008 to the ongoing election-related standoff in Cote d’Ivoire, elections in the region have seen everything from successful transfers of power to ethnic tensions to widespread fraud. Citizen election observation groups from 11 countries have formed the West Africa Election Observers Network (WAEON) to help ensure accountability, increase honesty and accuracy, and instill confidence in legitimate election results in their countries.

Citizen election observation groups from 11 countries have formed the West Africa Election Observers Network (WAEON) to help ensure accountability, increase honesty and accuracy, and instill confidence in legitimate election results in their countries. WAEON’s goal is to enable observers from different countries in the sub-region to exchange ideas and recommendations for better approaches to observation. Comprised of independent, nonpartisan organizations, WAEON helps citizen observer groups in West Africa meet criteria set forth in the Declaration of Global Principles for Nonpartisan Election Observation and Monitoring by Citizen Organizations, an internationally recognized standard for election monitoring. NDI played a key role in the creation of WAEON by bringing together observer group representatives in a series of workshops on election best practices. Participants decided to form the network to help improve election monitoring in their countries.

In announcing its creation on Feb. 21, WAEON promised to “provide technical and moral support to its member organizations in order to encourage nonpartisan citizen election observation, champion electoral reforms and advocacy, and promote credible elections as a means of deepening electoral democracy in the sub region.”

The network will create a forum for information sharing among neighboring countries. Although international monitors have observed elections in the region since the 1970s, domestic groups have only recently taken on this task. The Jan. 31 elections in Niger and upcoming polls in Nigeria and Liberia provide observation opportunities for WAEON member groups. Network members also will have the chance to hear from counterparts in other countries, such as Ghana, that have conducted more advanced observation efforts based on statistical principles. Other WAEON goals are to increase the quality of observation across the region and improve the credibility of elections.

On Feb. 21 and 22, NDI sponsored a workshop with WAEON members on voter registration observation. Other activities include a series of exchange visits that give representatives from participating West African countries a chance to study how neighboring nations prepare for elections and tally votes. For example, WAEON members recently met with election administrators, government officials, and civil society representatives in Niger and Nigeria in the lead-up to their elections.

Related:

Pictured above: WAEON Treasurer Djeneba Kone Diarra of Mali and WAEON Chairperson Mashood Erubami of Nigeria at the launch of WAEON in Abuja, Nigeria, on Feb. 21, 2011.

Published on March 3, 2011

Women’s Participation Gains Ground, Faces High Hurdles

rrunyan — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 23:05:53 +0000

Where women have gained a political voice around the world, there have been tangible gains for democracy, including greater responsiveness to citizen needs, increased cooperation across party and ethnic lines, and more sustainable peace.

Afghan women candidates speak at a pre-election rally in Kabul.

In places as diverse as Timor-Leste, Croatia, Morocco, Rwanda and South Africa, an increase in the number of female lawmakers has led to legislation dealing with discrimination, domestic violence, family codes, inheritance, and child support and protection. In Rwanda, for example, since assuming 56 percent of the seats in parliament in 2008, women have been responsible for forming the first cross-party caucus to work on controversial issues, such as land rights and food security.

“There is a growing recognition of the untapped capacity and talents of women and women’s leadership,” NDI President Kenneth Wollack said in congressional testimony last June. In the last 10 years, the rate of women’s representation in national parliaments globally has grown from 13.9 percent in 2000 to 19.1 percent in 2010.

This move toward more women’s participation was evident in several elections in 2010. The number of Lebanese women elected to municipal offices increased from 201 in 2004 to 530 in 2010. The increase was particularly noteworthy because it came without the help of a quota law, a technique used in a number of countries in the Middle East and elsewhere to ensure a specified number of seats for women.

In Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan and Jordan women won parliamentary seats with the help of new quota laws; but in Afghanistan and Jordan two additional women were elected in their own right outside the quota. In Afghanistan, more than 60 percent of the 406 women candidates, including more than a third of the 69 women who won, attended campaign schools that NDI organized with a curriculum tailored to address challenges particular to Afghan women. In Jordan, 12 of the 13 women who won participated in NDI’s candidate training program.

NDI leadership training session for women activists in Kyrgyzstan

Though quotas continue to be the most effective means for jumpstarting women’s representation, studies conducted by NDI indicate that quotas by themselves have not removed the obstacles that many women confront. Getting a quota law passed is an important step, but ensuring that it is carried out is sometimes the real hurdle.

“What does it matter if there is a quota in so many countries if we’re not reaching that number?” said Susan Markham, NDI’s director of women’s political participation. “In many countries, it’s on the books, it’s a law, but the number of women nominated by their political parties does not reach the quota level or we would have a much higher percentage of women in office.”

In Kenya, where a newly-passed constitution stipulates that 30 percent of all government leadership – not just elected officials – must be women, the first board that was created to help implement the constitution did not meet the 30 percent mark.

The legislature in the West African country of Burkina Faso passed a gender quota law in 2009 requiring that 30 percent of the candidates on political party lists be women. It held the promise of new opportunities for Burkinabe women, traditionally marginalized politically. But since the law was enacted, there has been little progress on implementing it in time for local and legislative elections to be held in 2011 and 2012, respectively. NDI helped establish the Coalition for the Implementation of the Quota Law – a group composed of eight Burkinabe civil society organizations and three political parties – which has evaluated the technical challenges of applying the quota law in the upcoming elections and produced recommendations on how to address them.

Helping parties understand the benefits of including women is one key to implementation, Markham said. “If your party gets more votes, and thus more seats, with women, then male members of the party don’t have to lose their seats,” she said.

Political parties’ reluctance to include women, coupled with the opportunities parties afford women when they do embrace equity, leads Markham to characterize parties simultaneously as “the greatest entry point and barrier to women in politics.”

NDI organized training programs on communication and political strategy for potential women candidates in Guatemala.

NDI’s political party programs focus on building the skills and knowledge of women party activists, as well as working with party leaders to recognize the value of women as voters, party leaders and candidates. NDI’s Win with Women Global Initiative, convened in 2003 by NDI Chairman Madeleine K. Albright, has focused exclusively on internal political party reforms that strengthen women’s roles.

The Institute also continues to work with women once they’ve gained office. NDI supports the creation and development of parliamentary caucuses that have helped harness the power of women legislators to increase their influence, add a gender perspective to policy development and address priority issues for gender equality through legislation. These groups often present a unique opportunity within legislatures for multi-party debate, giving women’s caucuses the ability to have a larger role in legislative, civic and political processes.

Many parliamentary caucuses also work to make women better legislators and political leaders by conducting training programs and other activities that help round out their knowledge and skills. Some caucuses include women’s branches or wings within political parties that can impact how parties operate and the policies they advocate. Other broader caucuses include party activists, elected women and leaders from civil society organizations who work together to advocate for change.

This story was originally published in the Spring 2011 edition of NDI Reports. You can read the entire newsletter here: www.ndi.org/NDI-Reports-Spring-2011/index.html. Please visit NDI’s complete newsletter archive at www.ndi.org/newsletter_archive to read newsletters dating back to 1987.

NDI E-news: Community of Democracies, Burma, Iraq | August 2010

fgalleto — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 20:14:59 +0000

August 2010

New and Established Democracies Celebrate Past Successes and Look to the Future of Democracy Support

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Former Polish President Lech Walesa and Madeleine Albright at the 10th anniversary meeting of the Community of Democracies

Community of Democracies Celebrates 10 Years

Representatives
from many of the world's established and new democracies came together
in Krakow, Poland, last month to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the
Community of Democracies, a global coalition
focusing today on meeting challenges to democracy and strengthening the
role of civil society.

NDI Chairman Madeleine K. Albright, who as U.S. secretary of state was an initiator of the organization, spoke at the gathering,
saying "those who are blessed to live in a democracy have an obligation
to repay that blessing by upholding free institutions and by teaching,
protecting, and cherishing democratic values." Read more»

Transatlantic Democracy Dialogue Begins

To
encourage stronger transatlantic ties on democracy support, senior U.S.
and European policymakers came together in Washington, D.C., for the
start of a two-year dialogue to discuss ways to fortify cooperation on
democracy and human rights. The dialogue is chaired by Albright; Jerzy Buzek,
president of the European Parliament; Javier Solana, former European
Union high representative for the common foreign security policy; and Vin
Weber, former congressman and former chairman of the National Endowment
for Democracy (NED). It is organized by NDI with primary
support from the European Commission and the NED. The
dialogue will, through a series of conferences and working papers,
produce actionable recommendations for improving democracy support
programs. Read more»

Commemorating the Frost-Solomon Task Force

Frost (left) and Rep. David Price (center) speak to Ibrahim Samadi, a participant in the parliamentary research service institute from Afghanistan.

The
benefits of transatlantic cooperation were celebrated in early June at a
commemoration of the 20th anniversary of the Frost-Solomon Task Force,
which provided assistance from the U.S. Congress to new parliaments in
Central and Eastern Europe emerging from communist rule. Its programs
were based on the principle that successful democratic transitions in
the former communist countries depended on the establishment of
effective democratic legislatures. Former Rep. Martin Frost, for whom the task force was named along with the late Rep. Gerald Solomon, attended the commemoration in Warsaw, Poland, along with
representatives from 10 of the former Soviet bloc countries. Read more »

Toward Better Parliamentary Research Services

Many
of the representatives from the original Frost-Solomon countries stayed
in Warsaw to share their experiences during a week-long parliamentary
institute organized by the House Democracy Partnership (HDP), a
successor to the task force. Representatives from 11 parliaments on
four continents, all HDP partner parliaments, took part in the institute
that focused on developing and strengthening parliamentary research
services. "Where democratic governance has taken root...commissions such
as ours can provide an added boost by sharing our own experiences, good
and bad," said Rep. David Price, chairman of HDP. Read more »

NDI Analysis: Burma's Electoral Framework is Fundamentally Undemocratic

A
new NDI report found that Burma's new election laws and constitution
have created a framework that is fundamentally undemocratic for the
first national elections to be held in the country since 1990. Based on
a legal and human rights analysis, NDI concluded that the election
process will not be a step forward and risks being yet another setback
in a country that has been governed by the military for almost half a
century. The process "is clearly designed to guarantee a pre-determined
outcome and, therefore, does not meet even the minimum of international
standards," the report said.

Read the full report »

New Technologies Create Opportunities, Risks in Democracy Support

Speaking at a panel at the Krakow Community of Democracies meeting, NDI Chief Technology Officer Chris Spence explored the role of technology in democratic development and the challenges and opportunities it poses in closed societies. Spence also addressed the importance of using technologies in new and emerging democracies using examples from Afghanistan and Uganda.

He noted that while technology can provide useful tools, to be most effective they must be used to support well-organized "off-line" activities by civil society groups.

Read Spence's remarks »

In Angola, Radio Program Connects 'Parliament and Me'

"Parliament
and Me," a new radio talk show in Angola, is working to establish a
connection between elected representatives and their constituents as the
country rebuilds after a 27-year civil war. NDI partnered with Radio
Ecclesia, a capital city radio station with a wide audience, to create
the weekly program, which educates citizens about the role of
parliament.

The
program also explores historical, political and legal issues that many
Angolans may not be familiar with, such as the origins of the Angolan
parliament, the laws it has passed and the impact of women parliamentarians.

In Macedonia, New Legislative Research Institute to Aid Lawmakers

Macedonia is working to establish a professional parliamentary research service that will
enhance the ability of its legislature to advance democratic
governance in the country. The parliament is undertaking a
three-year project to create such a service, which will help lawmakers obtain
the necessary information to generate and amend legislation, oversee
public expenditures and monitor how laws are carried out.

The
research service is funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and
Cooperation and implemented by NDI and its Macedonian partner, the
Institute for Parliamentary Democracy.

Iraqis Discouraged by Post-Election Government Negotiations

Iraqis
are becoming increasingly frustrated about the delay in the formation
of a new government and a majority of them believe that the country is
headed in the wrong direction, according to a recent public opinion poll
conducted by NDI.

Among
the survey's other findings, 42 percent of those polled thought Ayad
Allawi, representing the Iraqiyya coalition, which got the most votes in
the March 7 elections, should become the next prime minister, compared
to 14 percent who supported current Prime Minister Nouri Al Maliki. The most
important problem facing average Iraqis, they said, is delivery of basic
services.

Increasing Women's Political Participation Around the Globe

Part of NDI's core mission is working with women around the world to help them gain leadership skills and access to power:

Afghan Women Seek Major Role in Peace-building:
Women from 33 of the country's 34 provinces attended a symposium in
Kabul, Afghanistan, to find ways to ensure that women's rights are integrated into the government-initiated peace and reconciliation process. They listed 13 recommendations for the Afghan government to
follow to address women's needs.

Coalition Boosts Effort to Implement Gender Quota Law in Burkina Faso:
Last year the legislature in Burkina Faso passed a law requiring that
30 percent of candidates on political party lists be women. Now, a
coalition is suggesting ways to fully implement the law.

Middle Eastern Women Gain Political Inspiration in Wisconsin: A
group of young women from across the Middle East who aspire to
political careers spent two weeks at a leadership retreat in Madison,
Wisc., the culmination of a year-long Young Women Leaders Academy.
There, they learned from elected women leaders about public service and
political campaigns.

Mayan Women Train One Another to Increase Their Political Voice:
To help overcome the political and economic challenges facing Mayan
women in Guatemala, NDI has published a series of training guides to
help equip the women with the concrete skills they need to pursue
political leadership opportunities.

Global Network of Domestic Election Monitors Launches

In
more than 90 countries, millions of citizens have joined nonpartisan
election monitoring efforts to safeguard electoral integrity, hold
government accountable, mitigate politically motivated violence and
promote the right of citizens to participate in public life.

For the first time, those groups have joined together to form the Global Network of Domestic Election Monitors, which launched a website
this month that compiles thousands of documents, manuals and best
practices. As the site continues to evolve, domestic election monitors
around the world will be able to exchange information, form
relationships and continue to learn from each other.

Multimedia Not To Miss

Be sure to check out:

Pop star Bobi Wine performs his song, "A Serious Matter," to help promote peaceful elections and the use of an NDI-supported election hotline in Uganda.

A short video
highlights the interaction between citizens and members of parliament
in Cambodia as part of a NDI's constituency dialogue program.

Democracy Updates | Partner Spotlights | In-Country Perspectives |

Democracy Dialogue | Publications | Employment

Women Speak Out Against Discrimination in Burkina Faso

fgalleto — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 22:39:35 +0000

In the West African country of Burkina Faso, gender discrimination touches many aspects of women's lives. Inheritance rights are unequal between men and women, violence against women is pervasive and women have lower literacy rates — 22 percent compared to 37 percent for men, according to the 2009 U.N. Human Development Report.

To raise awareness about these problems, a coalition of representatives from Burkinabe women's and human rights organizations traveled to Geneva, Switzerland, in October to present a report on the status of women's rights in Burkina Faso to the U.N. Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women. The trip was funded by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency. The U.N. committee is reviewing the government's progress on carrying out the international Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), to which Burkina Faso is a signatory.

Every four years, governments submit reports on the status of CEDAW implementation to the committee in Geneva. At the same time, civil society organizations have the opportunity to develop and present "shadow" reports to supplement or present alternative information to what the government has presented. This is the first time that representatives from Burkina Faso were able to travel to Geneva and present an alternative report to the U.N.

The Burkinabe representatives outlined five major findings and recommendations impacting women's rights in Burkina Faso. They said:

There is no definition of discrimination in national legislation and recommended that the government incorporate such a definition in national legislation by 2012.
A quota law passed in April that mandates that 30 percent of all candidate lists be women is too vague about how it will be implemented. The group encouraged the government to take action to ensure implementation.
Girls do not attend school at the same rate as boys. According to the U.N. Human Development Report, 29 percent of girls are enrolled in school compared to 36 percent of boys. Coalition members urged the government to take measures, such as building boarding schools for girls, that would encourage parents to send girls to school.
Equal access to healthcare for women is lacking due to their social and economic dependence on men. Men usually control family finances, so women need to seek permission from their husbands before visiting healthcare facilities, particularly if they are seeking contraceptives. The group encouraged the government to provide free maternal healthcare.
Violence against women is pervasive. The coalition urged the government to adopt new laws on domestic violence.

After the presentation, coalition members answered questions from the committee. Asked how domestic violence cases were handled by the police and judiciary, they said women were reluctant to press charges because they feared being reprimanded at home for airing their problems in public. The committee also asked about how the government combats child trafficking. The women said that many children go to Côte d’Ivoire to work, but no figures were available on how many children went to Côte d’Ivoire willingly and how many were sold across the border.

After the session in Geneva, the committee developed recommendations for the government of Burkina Faso. Members plan to identify the two most critical, such as a law against domestic violence, for follow-up advocacy activities.

Related:

Pictured above: Women from the coalition practice their presentation to the committee in Geneva.

Published on November 19, 2010

Coalition Boosts Effort to Implement Gender Quota Law in Burkina Faso

rrunyan — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 22:05:23 +0000

Many applauded when the legislature in the West African country of Burkina Faso passed a gender quota law last year requiring 30 percent of the candidates on political party lists to be women. It held the promise of new opportunities for Burkinabe women, traditionally marginalized politically, to gain elective office at both the national and local levels.

But while the law was enacted more than a year ago, there has been little progress on implementing it, even though local and legislative elections will be held in 2011 and 2012, respectively.

“Despite the political will that prevailed in adopting this law, a satisfactory application is not guaranteed,” said Aminata Kassé, NDI’s country director in Burkina Faso.

She noted that opposition leaders are apprehensive that the law could further marginalize their parties, since it mandates reduced public financing for non compliance.

Opposition parties have had more difficulty recruiting women than the ruling party, and a loss of public financing could be crippling. In a country that only recently embraced multipartism after decades of one-party or military rule, most political and economic leaders are part of the ruling party. Therefore, women are concerned that there will be fewer career advancement opportunities if they join an opposition party.

Other critics of the law point to the vagueness of some of its provisions, which are open to multiple interpretations. For example, the law does not specify how the election commission should verify which parties meet the 30 percent criterion, what type of information the parties need to submit to prove that they are in compliance, or whether the required 30 percent should be calculated on a nationwide basis or by district.

Political party members, the election commission, government ministries and the National Assembly convened to discuss the quota implementation in June.

To support a harmonious implementation of the statute, NDI helped to establish, prior to the law’s passage, the Coalition for the Implementation of the Quota Law – a coalition comprising eight civil society organizations and three political parties. In June the coalition convened members of political parties, the election commission, government ministries and the National Assembly to evaluate the technical challenges of applying the provisions of the quota law in the upcoming elections. The forum identified a number of challenges and agreed on recommendations on how different political actors could overcome them. Senior NDI staff moderated the discussions and later forwarded the recommendations to government ministries, political parties, the election commission and other groups.

One of the key recommendations from forum participants was the need for the government or National Assembly to develop guidelines for how the quota law should be implemented. The forum advised political parties to alternate the names of men and women on the party lists in order to give women a better chance, for example.

Pictured Above: Nestorine Compaoré, NDI's senior program manager in Burkina Faso, discusses the difficulties of implementing the quota on a panel at NDI with Susan Markham, the Institute's director of women's political participation.

Published July 19, 2010

Burkina Faso Women Detail Discrimination against Women in U.N. Report

rrunyan — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 20:46:35 +0000

A broad coalition of civil society organizations in Burkina Faso recently developed a report detailing discrimination against women in the West African country for presentation to a U.N. committee considering implementation of the international Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women.

Every four years, governments submit reports on the status of CEDAW implementation to the U.N. CEDAW Committee in Geneva, which met this year Feb. 8 to 12. At the same time, civil society organizations (CSO) often develop “shadow” reports to supplement or present alternative information to what the government has presented.

Burkina Faso’s shadow report, supported by NDI, acknowledges progress made by the Burkinabe government in addressing discrimination against women. However, it also describes many existing challenges and gaps to full enforcement of the convention. Burkina Faso ratified CEDAW in 1984 but has yet to fully implement it, according to the report

Women in Burkina Faso face social, economic, cultural and political discrimination. For example, they do not receive the same inheritance or legal rights as men. Iliteracy rates for women are twice as high as for men, school enrollment is one-third lower among girls and a larger percentage of women are infected by HIV/AIDS.

In 2005, just one Burkinabe human rights group submitted a report. This year with the support of NDI, the coalition that submitted the report comprised 19 Burkinabe CSOs.

NDI held a training session for representatives of the 19 CSOs on the requirements and procedures for submitting a shadow report. Participants then formed a committee of eight members charged with drafting the report for submission.

Women from Burkina Faso writing the shadow report during an NDI workshop.

“It was an opportunity to ensure that civil society organizations leveraged the opportunity of the CEDAW-reporting process in their struggle against discrimination, which touches many social groups in Burkina Faso, but women in particular,” said Aminata Kassé, NDI’s senior resident director for Burkina Faso. “They also gained skills in how to interact with political decision-makers at different levels to alert them to existing problems and propose solutions.”

Part of NDI’s collaboration extended to lawmakers. In partnership with the National Assembly, NDI discussed the content and historical implementation of CEDAW with members of parliament. This included helping them to identify ways to contribute to the successful implementation of CEDAW, such as enacting legislation against domestic violence. The president of the Parliament’s Economic and Social Affairs Committee indicated implementation would require more follow up on the part of all parliamentary committees to harmonize national laws with the international convention.

Read the shadow report submitted to the U.N. CEDAW Committee in its English translation or its original French version.
Published February 25, 2010

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