In 1996, United Nations-sponsored peace accords were signed in Guatemala, ending 36 years of armed conflict. Although one of the goals of the accords and related agreements was increasing the political participation of the indigenous population, this has yet to be realized. Indigenous women in particular face the greatest political marginalization. Although at least 20 percent of the Guatemalan population is indigenous women, only two of 158 deputies in Congress and one of 333 mayors are indigenous women.

On Dec. 15 , the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs hosted the 2008 Democracy Luncheon, honoring Archbishop Desmond Tutu and presenting its fourth annual Madeleine K. Albright Award to the Women’s League of Burma. As part of the Win with Women Global Initiative, the Madeleine K. Albright Grant honors organizations that work to increase women’s participation in political and civic life. The recipient was selected from a competitive pool of applicants based on the strength of their proposal to train young women leaders.  

The Iran Election Bulletin is a biweekly publication covering domestic political and election issues in Iran in the lead-up to the June 12, 2009 presidential elections.

By Masih Alinejad

• “Karroubi and Karbaschi appear as one”
  – headline in the reformist Etemad-e-Melli newspaper, March 4

By Geneive Abdo
Middle East analyst, The Century Foundation

By Geneive Abdo
Middle East analyst, The Century Foundation

In advance of Jan. 31 provincial elections in Iraq, nearly 1,000 candidates took part in NDI training programs on campaign skills such as messaging and get-out-the-vote strategies.

Speaking at briefings on Capitol Hill, Erin Mathews, NDI director for Iraq programs, described how the elections provided insight into the dynamics at work as Iraq continues its democratic transition.  She noted, for example, a major shift among voters away from extremist and religious parties.

The Burkina Faso National Assembly has adopted a law that requires a 30 percent quota for women on political party candidate lists. (Related story: “Women Gain Ground in Burkina Faso Assembly,” May 19, 2009.) Passage of the measure on April 16 was a landmark day for a number of groups in this West African country of about 14 million that have been working to bring women into the political process.