Women in politics

Through all our work to increase the political participation of women, we aim to inspire change at different levels. 

Of course, at the most basic level, we aim to bring more women the policy-making table. But we realize that, even once women have a seat at that table, cultural norms can influence political dynamics. At NIMD, we make sure that our approach is rooted in an in-depth understanding and analysis of the culture, including how gender stereotypes and norms shape power dynamics and political opportunities. And we work, through our dialogue and Democracy Schools, to stimulate a more inclusive culture within politics.  

Lastly, we work to change the rules of the game. We know that, in many countries, the existing political infrastructure creates economic and social barriers to the participation of women. You just have to think of the high cost of running for office, for example, which can shut out women and other groups who have less access to financial resources. We support political and civil society actors as they challenge the mechanisms, practices and stereotypes that exclude more women than men in politics.  

This unique multi-layered approach encourages change at every level of the political landscape. Specifically, it involves: 

• Promoting women in policymaking: We increase opportunities for women to become active participants in policymaking. This includes supporting women candidates during elections, mentoring and coaching, and providing training in political skills, media engagement, networking and political campaigning. 

• Dialogue: We bring political parties and other stakeholders together in dialogue, so they can exchange best practices and learn from each other. Our dialogue initiatives aim to build trust, collaboration and consensus. By working together long-term across party lines, and really listening to each other, these groups can put forward new more inclusive laws, regulations and policy changes.   

• Lobby for legislative and policy changes: NIMD lobbies to ensure equal rights and equal participation in politics. For example, we lobby for quotas to secure a seat at the table for women. Once quotas are in place, we promote dialogue to foster effective implementation and to encourage all political actors to respect and support the legitimacy of women elected through these systems.  

• Awareness raising: The first step towards a more inclusive culture is raising awareness. NIMD helps politicians, civic actors and the general public become more aware of gender stereotypes through dialogue, research, media campaigns, and audio-visual products. 

• Building cross-party networks: We bring together women from across political, religious, ethnic and cultural lines to build networks. As part of this, we also create spaces for women politicians to join forces to lobby around particular issues, combining their voices and power.   

• Democracy education: Through our Democracy Schools, we invest in equipping the next generation of female and male leaders with the skills and knowledge to effectively influence politics. Our commitment to gender parity in our schools not only strengthens leadership capabilities but also promotes a more representative and equitable political landscape. Through the school training, we also promote a democratic culture of inclusiveness and respect for different perspectives. 

• Promoting women in peacebuilding: We promote the vital role of women in peacebuilding and reconciliation so that women’s diverse voices are heard in the planning and building of their future society.  

• Political party support: We support political parties as they break down barriers to equal political participation for women. We encourage the parties to undertake problem analysis and self-assessment, before developing gender action plans. Through this process, we highlight the importance of commitment from party leadership, and accountability through continuous monitoring and peer learning to ensure sustainable change towards more inclusive democracies.   

Download our steps to more inclusive political parties.

Women in peace 

Through our work, NIMD places a special focus on women’s political participation in conflict-affected or post-conflict countries.  

Peace processes represent a pivotal moment in a country’s history. They are moments that shape societies: A one-off chance to resolve conflict and start to build a new future together.

That’s why peace processes can only work when all voices are heard. They are an important chance to integrate different viewpoints into policies, understand and address the needs of different groups, and start to create an inclusive society. Such inclusiveness breaks down the divides, discontent and marginalization which are so often at the heart of conflict.  

Diversity enriches peace processes. Diverse perspectives and experiences ensure that the solutions crafted are comprehensive. Including women and previously excluded groups in peace negotiations leads to more inclusive and sustainable agreements, as these groups often bring unique insights into the root causes of conflict and the needs for long-term stability. Diversity helps to build broader consensus, enhances legitimacy, and fosters a sense of ownership among all groups, making peace more resilient and enduring. 

Luckily, peace processes often provide an opportunity for women to enter politics. When a country stands still to contemplate the future and plan for new political systems and structures, it is an ideal moment to ensure different groups are represented. And, when women’s voices are heard, they can then set the stage for future political processes and structures which are inclusive and representative.

Because it’s not simply about ensuring more women at the negotiation table during peacebuilding. While that is an important first step, it is not enough. 

Once the conflict is over and the journey towards peace begins, countries need capable and representative women political leaders. These leaders can and must have a real influence on the process of rebuilding their country.  

As part of this work, NIMD is a proud member of the LEAP4Peace Consortium. Funded by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Consortium supports women in Myanmar, Colombia and Burundi so they can play a meaningful role in political leadership, conflict resolution, and peacebuilding.

NIMD is also a signatory to the Dutch National Action Plan (NAP) for the implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security. And we are a signatory to the Women, Peace and Security and Humanitarian Action Compact, an inclusive global movement calling for the redesign of peace and security and humanitarian processes to systematically and meaningfully include women and girls.

Ensuring a continued impact 

At NIMD, we recognize the importance of adapting our programmes to often rapidly-changing political landscapes. We include a gender perspective in the design, monitoring and evaluation of each of our programmes, so that we can learn from past experiences and shape future programmes based on experience and analysis. We must evolve and innovate, if we want to ensure our work continues to make an impact. 

What’s more, we also recognize the importance of the adaptive approach employed by civil society organizations in the countries we work with. Especially in conflict- or post-conflict settings, contexts are so fluid and the landscape in which organizations work can shift rapidly. That’s why we also collaborate with the Women’s Peace and Humanitarian Fund’s Rapid Response Window. This fund supports women peacebuilders and women-led civil society organizations with flexible, rapid financing, ensuring they can adapt their programmes to sudden changes and ensure the maximum impact on their communities. 

Through all our work, NIMD is dedicated to fostering a political culture that values and includes women at all levels. By implementing comprehensive strategies that address structural barriers, promote inclusive governance, and support women in peacebuilding, we aim to create lasting change. Our commitment to adaptivity and collaboration ensures that our efforts remain relevant and impactful, ultimately contributing to more peaceful, responsive and inclusive democracies.