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Gender and Election Observation Women and Elections

This training module focuses on identifying and addressing gender issues in electoral processes while enhancing observer knowledge on gender aspects. Topics include pre-election monitoring, observer training, domestic observation, and gender-based electoral violence. Participants will learn how to promote gender equity for voters, candidates, and election administrators, ensuring inclusive and transparent elections.

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Gender and Election Observation Women and Elections

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  1. Gender and Election ObservationWomen and Elections The National Democratic Institute

  2. INTRODUCTIONS/ GROUND RULES • Introductions • Ground rules • Ice breaker exercise

  3. GENDER AND ELECTION OBSERVATION OBJECTIVES • To identify potential gender issues related to the electoral process • To increase knowledge of how to incorporate gender aspects into election observer trainings, materials and reporting

  4. GENDER AND ELECTION OBSERVATION TOPICS • Pre-election monitoring • Observer team composition • Training for observers • Short-term observers • Domestic observers • Observer reporting

  5. KEY TERMS • Election Observation • Short Term/Long Term/Domestic Observation • Gender Analysis • Family/Proxy Voting • Gender-based electoral violence Photo: NDI

  6. ELECTION OBSERVATION • Conducted by parties, NGOs, the media, government, international organizations • Can be domestic or international • Partisan or non-partisan • Why observe elections? • Part of checks and balances • Encourages transparency • Assesses quality of elections

  7. TYPES OF ELECTION OBSERVATION • Long Term Observers (LTO) • Short Term Observers (STO) • Domestic Observers Photo: NDI

  8. GENDER AND ELECTION OBSERVATION • Seeks gender equity for men and women • Voters • Candidates • Election administrators • Observers Photo: NDI

  9. WOMEN AS VOTERS • Fundamental right • Can face physical, logistical, social and cultural barriers Photo: NDI

  10. PRE-ELECTION: WOMEN VOTERS • Voter registration process • Disaggregate registration data by sex and region Photo: LBCherney, NDI

  11. PRE-ELECTION: VOTER EDUCATION • Analyze voter education programs • Determine particular voter education needs Photo: NDI

  12. PRE-ELECTION: WOMEN CANDIDATES • Gender analysis of election coverage • Coverage of women candidates Photo: NDI

  13. PRE-ELECTION: ELECTION ADMINISTRATION • Women in election administration • Leadership and decision-making roles

  14. PRE-ELECTION: ELECTION ADMINISTRATION • Assess election administration’s gender awareness and responsiveness Photo: NDI

  15. PRE-ELECTION • Gender analysis of electoral dispute resolution/complaint mechanisms • Utilize women’s organizations • Civil Society Groups Can: • Be a resource on the context for women’ s participation • May have information/ statistics on women’s participation

  16. EXAMPLE/ EXERCISE • Morocco pre-election assessment of 2011 parliamentary election Photo: Andrew Farrand, NDI

  17. SHORT-TERM ELECTION DAY OBSERVERS • Polling station atmosphere and security • Number of women on polling station committee and sex of the chairperson • Representation of women among party poll-watchers • Women voters’ level of understanding of the procedures • Sex-disaggregated voter data

  18. SHORT-TERM ELECTION DAY OBSERVERS • Voters turned away • Protections for secrecy of the vote • Instances of family or proxy voting • Instances of gender-based electoral violence • Compare voter rates at the central and regional levels

  19. DOMESTIC OBSERVATION • Domestic groups positioned to identify obstacles for women • Trainings and materials should: • highlight the importance of women’s participation in elections • provide a basic understanding of how to observe gender-related issues and possible irregularities

  20. DOMESTIC OBSERVATION • Incident report forms should include relevant questions on gender issues • Questions should be added to the checklist Photo: NDI

  21. COMPOSITION OF OBSERVER TEAMS • Gender balance of team members • Include a gender expert Photo: NDI Ensure someone is designated as the gender focal point on the team.

  22. TRAINING FOR OBSERVERS • Highlight importance of gender in the training • Identify potential barriers and how to monitor these issues • Include background information on women’s participation

  23. TRAINING FOR OBSERVERS Include questions for monitoring throughout process and Election Day: • Training materials • LTO weekly report templates • Election Day observer checklists Photo: NDI

  24. INTERVIEWS WITH KEY STAKEHOLDERS • What is the level of women’s involvement in previous elections? • What are the similarities and differences between previous elections and this one? • What percentages of women are registered and vote in comparison to men? Is there a difference? If so, why?

  25. INTERVIEWS WITH KEY STAKEHOLDERS • What are women’s voter participation rates? How do they compare to men’s? • Are there unique barriers to women’s electoral participation? Have there been any threats unique to women? • Previous voter education and outreach programs? By whom?

  26. INTERVIEWS WITH KEY STAKEHOLDERS • Who are the key actors in election monitoring? • Is there a coalition? • Are women/ women’s organizations involved? Photo: NDI

  27. OBSERVATION STATEMENTS • Participation of women as voters, candidates • Number of women elected (vs. previous elections) • Number of women in election administration • Gender-related security incidents

  28. GENDER AND ELECTION OBSERVATION REVIEW • Pre-election monitoring • Short-term/election day observers • Domestic observation • Observer training • Observer Reporting Photo: NDI • Questions? • Feedback?

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