Dean Bordode’s Post

Billions will vote this year – #LGBTIQ+ people must not be excluded. In this joint op-ed, Ulrika Modeer and Christophe Schiltz, Director for Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Action at Luxembourg MFA reflect on the importance of building #inclusive and equitable societies. In its publication ‘Inclusive Democracies: A guide to strengthening the participation of LGBTI+ persons in political and electoral processes,’ UNDP provides policymakers, electoral management bodies, legislators, civil society and other stakeholders a clear set of tools to work towards a more equal exercise of civic and political rights, freedom of expression and association, and access to public services. #IDAHOBIT

Extract-MEPs’ lack of racial diversity has caused EU identity crisis, campaigners say In an analysis shared exclusively with the Guardian, the European Network Against Racism found that in the parliament’s last mandate, just 4.3% of MEPs were from racial and ethnic minorities – a proportion that falls drastically short of the estimated 10% of the EU population who identify as such. The wide gap was exacerbated by Brexit, with the departure of the UK MEPs in 2020 sending the proportion of racialised minorities in the European parliament tumbling to 3.5% – just 25 of 705 MEPs, according to a 2020 analysis. “I think this really tells us a lot about our democracy,” said Nourhene Mahmoudi, an advocacy and policy adviser with the antiracism network. “Europe is living in an identity crisis because the European parliament, from the research and data that we have collected, does not represent the entire European population.” In practice, say campaigners, this gap means people with lived experience of problems such as racism and inequality are often not at the table during key European discussions, hindering efforts to create policy that addresses the needs of the EU’s varied population. “This disparity poses fundamental questions about the democratic legitimacy of the institutions, particularly the European parliament,” said Mahmoudi. With polls suggesting support for far-right and nationalist parties will surge in June’s European elections, campaigners are bracing for a political landscape that they fear could further stigmatise marginalised communities – and with fewer MEPs of colour in parliament. Data collected by the antiracism network showed a stark contrast between leftwing and centre parties, where in many cases some efforts have been made to include minority ethnic candidates on party lists, and rightwing parties, where this level of representation was low and in some cases completely absent. Certain political factions, such as the far-right Identity and Democracy group of MEPs, lack any representation from racialised minorities…

There’s been progress, but we still have a long way to go. A new report by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities and Canadian Municipal Barometer (with support from WAGE) shows women: -now represent 31% of all municipal elected representatives in Canada -hold 22% of municipal mayoral positions -hold 33% of councillor positions And yet, the report shows that 16% of communities studied have NO women on council. https://buff.ly/3ZouXBp 🔍 Our own findings here at the Samara Centre for Democracy adds some additional insight. In 2022 we tracked online abuse in eight municipal elections and learned how digital toxicity affects our municipal elections. The effects of this online abuse is crucial to understand if we want to achieve a representative, gender-equal body of elected officials in our municipal governments. Check out our SAMbot municipal report here https://buff.ly/3KELQl7 for more coverage. #GenderEqualityWeek #genderequality 

🗳️ Empowerment Through Voting: A Call to Action for Women and Businesses Today is the last day to register to vote. Every vote matters, especially as we strive towards gender equality and inclusive decision-making. Inspired by Prof Pankhurst and Centenary Action, businesses and leaders within business are urged to embrace a pivotal role in empowering their workforce through the Promise initiative. This initiative not only encourages colleagues to register but also supports them in voting through flexible working arrangements. A recent poll by Centenary Action revealed that while 76% of women plan to vote, many feel their concerns are overlooked. This underscores the necessity for women, who represent 51% of the population, to be at the forefront of policymaking. Today marks the last day to register before the election. Let's encourage everyone to have a voice. Your involvement can shape the future! #Vote #GenderEquality #InclusiveLeadership #shevotes24 https://lnkd.in/ej6T3NtP

Summary of Last Month's Webinars 1. Women Engagement in Elections Discussed the importance of women's participation in elections and the challenges they face. Explored strategies to increase women's voter turnout and representation in elected office. Highlighted the role of women's organizations and networks in promoting women's political participation. 2. Role of Women in Mitigating Election Violence Examined the role of women in preventing and mitigating election violence. Discussed the specific challenges women face in this area and strategies to address them. Explored the potential of women's leadership and peacebuilding initiatives to reduce election-related violence. 3. Role of Media in Promoting Social Cohesion and Mitigating Election Violence Analyzed the role of the media in shaping public perceptions of elections and electoral violence. Discussed the importance of responsible reporting and the need to counter misinformation and hate speech. Explored the potential of the media to promote social cohesion and mitigate election-related violence. 4. Causes and Consequences of Unequal Participation of People Living with Disabilities Identified the barriers that people with disabilities face in participating in elections. Discussed the consequences of unequal participation for people with disabilities and for society as a whole. Explored strategies to promote the full and equal participation of people with disabilities in elections.

Exploring gender differences in voting: open data reveals that the gap is reducing, with 52% of men and 48% of women voting in the last election? Dive deeper into the electoral dynamics. Access dataset 👉 https://europa.eu/!t46X8r hashtag #EUOpenData hashtag #EUelections2024 hashtag #UseYourVote

TOMORROW is Municipal Election Day in Pennsylvania, and we encourage all voters registered in the Commonwealth to exercise their right by voting if you have not already. We hope that you’ll thoughtfully cast your vote in ways that champion the LGBTQ+ and entrepreneurial communities. Polls are open TOMORROW, November 7th  from 7am-8pm!   PA SPECIFIC VOTER RESOURCES: https://lnkd.in/eSn5MmRp NJ SPECIFIC VOTER RESOURCES: https://lnkd.in/d3SXi57 DE SPECIFIC VOTER RESOURCES: https://lnkd.in/dgVnNZr We encourage you to vote like a good citizen! It is a common myth that important elections only take place every 2 or 4 years. Local elections often take place every year, and because turnout is lower, your vote can actually make even more of a difference. These elections are very impactful. In Philadelphia this year, voters will be selecting a new Mayor and City Council, among other elected officials. We urge you to get to know the candidates and make the best selection for yourself and your communities.   We encourage you to vote like an entrepreneur! Our Diverse Chambers Coalition of Greater Philadelphia polled our businesses to determine what hurdles they were facing, and what issues they believed that city officials should prioritize to create a more business-friendly environment for our city and region. They included: crime, lowering taxes, ease of doing business, and business recovery. We encourage you to vote like a community member or ally! LGBTQ+ communities are under attack across the nation, and we want Philadelphia to remain a great place for our communities to live, work, and thrive. Voting for our community members and proven allies will help make that happen. Philadelphia remains the largest city in the nation never to have elected an LGBTQ+ individual citywide– a title we would love to give up.   Remember that you’re not just any voter, you’re LGBTQ+ community members, entrepreneurs, and allies.

✨ I need your help!!! As we step into 2024, a year poised with significant elections across the globe, it's crucial to recognize and celebrate the pivotal role of women voters in shaping the future of our societies. From local councils to national governments, women's voices and votes carry immense weight in determining the direction of our communities and nations. In recent years, we've witnessed an unprecedented surge in women's political engagement and representation. Yet, there's still ground to cover to achieve true gender equality in politics. With upcoming elections in numerous countries, now is the time to harness the momentum and amplify the voices of women voters. Women make up a significant portion of the electorate in almost every democratic society. Yet, historically, their political participation has often been undervalued or overlooked. As we approach the upcoming elections, it's imperative to emphasize the importance of women's engagement in the democratic process. In the face of complex global challenges like the climate crisis, economic inequality, and public health emergencies, diverse perspectives are more essential than ever. Women bring unique insights and solutions to the table, making their participation in the electoral process vital for building resilient and equitable societies. In March WempowerUK will launch a magazine entirely dedicated to women in politics and I need your help! We are conducting a survey on Women's Perspectives on Political Participation and Priorities. It will help us understand and reflect on the reasons why women worldwide decide to vote or not, and to actively participate in politics or not. The data collected will be presented in the magazine and shared with all of you across all of Wempower's platforms. Here is the link https://lnkd.in/d3qpBzV9 Share it with all your friends, colleagues, and women in your network. We want to hear your voices 💖 #women #politics #womenvoices #elections #womensrights

The political representation of LGBTI+ persons in parliaments and their participation during elections is essential to improve human rights and to build stronger democracies, according to the new UNDP publication- ‘Building inclusive democracies: A guide to strengthen participation of LGBTI+ persons in political and electoral processes’, released today. Featuring experiences from over 80 countries, mainly from the Global South, the publication identifies entry points for the greater participation of LGBTI+ persons in elections. It also highlights the need to embrace sexual and gender diversity in political processes. The publication reveals that LGBTI+ representation in elective office has a positive impact on the adoption of legislation and policies recognizing fundamental rights. More: https://lnkd.in/e63XyYyT #HumanRights #LGBTI+

Let’s talk about women’s voting patterns in South Asia. 🥴 As we explore the evolving landscape of women's voting patterns in South Asia, we uncover a tapestry of progress, challenges, and change that defines the region's political dynamics. 📈 Pakistan's Strides Towards Equality: In Pakistan, the journey toward women's political participation began with granting them voting rights in 1947, reaffirmed in 1956, alongside reserved seats in Parliament. Despite societal obstacles, a transformative shift emerged. For the 2018 elections, a notable 24% increase in female voter registration was witnessed, reflecting a changing political atmosphere. 📊 Changing Trends: The Women's Digital Pakistan report underscores a marked increase in women's participation and registration for elections. Over 95% of registered women abstained from voting in 17 National Assembly constituencies in 2013, signifying a complex relationship between social norms and political engagement. 🔍 Progress Amidst Challenges: Pakistan’s gender disparity and social stigma persist, with the country ranking 150 out of 153 in terms of women's inclusion, justice, and security. The struggle for increased participation continues, with over 60 reserved seats for women in the National Assembly, fostering enhanced representation. 📊 Crossroads of Change: South Asia's political evolution is vividly demonstrated in the varied landscape of women's representation. While Pakistan grapples with inclusion, India's history reveals significant milestones. Since its first general election in 1951-52, India established universal suffrage, with the minimum voting age lowered to 18 in 1989. 🔍 India's Trailblazing Moments: Madras, in 1921, became the first legislature in British India to pass a women's suffrage resolution, marking a pivotal step toward gender equality. The journey was far from linear, with ongoing debates shaping voting eligibility based on literacy and property rights. 📊 South Asian Spectrum: Nepal shines as a trailblazer with 32.7% women's representation in its parliament, while other nations tread the path with varying degrees of progress. Pakistan stands at 20.2%, highlighting the importance of sustained efforts to bridge gaps. 💡 Path Forward: The transformative change observed shows the need for continued advocacy and awareness. From Pakistan's burgeoning female voter turnout to India's historical milestones, South Asia's political canvas reflects resilience. Efforts to dismantle societal barriers, enhance education, and promote gender-inclusive policies remain key to further empowerment. Let’s echo the words of Muhammad Ali Jinnah, reaffirming the crucial role of women in shaping the future of South Asia's democratic landscape. "Women's participation is indispensable for any successful struggle". Join Desi American Woman Network to learn about South Asian civic participation. #statistics #progression #southasianhistory #womensvoting #votingrights #southasianamericans