Regional working group on women's citizenship for democracy

Portada Ciudadanía

Women's citizenship in the democracies of the Americas
(CIM, UN Women & IDEA International, 2013)

This analysis of democratic systems from the perspective of women's rights and citizenship goes beyond classic notions of representation to encompass other spheres of life, including gender, inter-culturalism, reproductive rights and sexual citizenship.

Project objective

The aim of the Regional Working Group on Women's Citizenship for Democracy is to contribute to the full participation of women in democratic systems and the management of institutions with power over political decisons and control over national resources.

The specific objectives of the Group are:

  • Develop the concept of citizens' democracy from the diversity of perspectives experiences and visions of the women of the Americas, and, on the basis of that process of reflection,
  • Formulate concrete recommendations for the implementation of a citizens' democracy that includes, recognizes and responds to the rights and priorities of women.

Brief description

Women do not participate equally in democracies - their institutions or processes. In response to this reality, the CIM initiated, in collaboration with UN Women and International IDEA an innovative dialogue that has contributed to the discussion of a citizens' democracy from the perspectives, experiences and visions of the women of the region.

In order to facilitate this exchange, the CIM has created the Regional Working Group on Women's Citizenship for Democracy as a platform for dialogue and collaborative work.

The Working Group is made up of 18 Experts from diverse fields, whose aim is develop and detail, from different perspectives, the idea of a citizens' democracy that includes, recognizes and responds to the priorities of women and places at its centre their participation, representation and leadership. The starting point for this work the various issues included in the OAS/UNDP publication “Nuestra Democracia”.

Expected results

  • An integral proposal for a citizens' democracy from the perspective of equal rights and inter-culturalism, which contributes to strengthening the redefinition and conceptualization put forth by the OAS and UNDP, and which guarantees that women's rights are centrally placed, in fulfillment of the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) and the Belém do Pará Convention.

Donor(s):
Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation, Government of Mexico, UN Women, International IDEA

Project duration: September 2011 through August 2012