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Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD) and Kaleidoscope Trust are excited to announce the launch of a new programme that will focus on fighting discrimination against women and girls, LGBT+ people and other intersectionally disadvantaged groups. The programme will be implemented in 13 Commonwealth countries.
WFD is currently not working in Sudan, but we previously engaged with democratic institutions, women leaders, and political parties to support a peaceful transition towards a multi-party democracy in the country.
WFD, Uganda Women Parliamentary Association (UWOPA), and other women-focused Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) petitioned the Speaker of the Parliament of Uganda to fast track discussion of crucial gender-sensitive bills before Parliament.
Uganda |
Chairperson of the Coalition of Women MPs from Arab Countries to Combat Violence against Women, Wafa Bani Mustafa explores the important role democracy can play in combatting gender based violence.
To support stronger democracy in Kenya, WFD has been working in the East African country since 2009: from implementing parliamentary strengthening programmes that enhance the capacities of the National Assembly, Senate, and County Assemblies for more effective representation, legislation, and oversight; to programmes that promote youth and persons with disabilities’ inclusion and participation in politics.
Our programmes in Kenya have produced successes such as helping the Senate to play a more effective role in providing national support and guidance to county governments as per its mandate; helping to pass disability bills in three counties; supporting the set-up of functional disability leagues as channels for engagement of persons with disabilities (PWDs) in politics in four political parties; and, strengthening engagement between parliament and civil society organizations (CSOs) towards greater legislative openness and structured civic engagement.
Our programmes in Kenya have produced successes such as helping the Senate to play a more effective role in providing national support and guidance to county governments as per its mandate; helping to pass disability bills in three counties; supporting the set-up of functional disability leagues as channels for engagement of persons with disabilities (PWDs) in politics in four political parties; and, strengthening engagement between parliament and civil society organizations (CSOs) towards greater legislative openness and structured civic engagement.
In a few short months, we will witness the debut of the newly merged Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), the budgetary impact of the economic recession triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic, and the end of the transition following the departure of the UK from the European Union. It is a moment at which the UK can choose to take a leadership position – and do development democratically.
The solution to realize the achievement of PWDs rights is through political representation. WFD in partnership with Demo Finland partners with 13 political parties, 21 Disabled Persons Organizations and Civil Society organizations to strengthen inclusive multiparty democracy in Kenya.
Kenya |
Corruption has a negative effect on development, economic growth, and democracy. Independent Anti-Corruption Agencies (ACAs) are often recommended as the tool to curb corruption. However, the creation of such agencies is not a panacea to the scourge of corruption. In some instances, ACAs have been a disappointment and their effectiveness has been questioned. Their efficiency depends on political will to allocate authority, powers, and resources.
In the run up to the 2019 election in Nigeria, Westminster Foundation for Democracy, in partnership with the Nigerian Women Trust Fund (NWTF) and funded by the EU, informed underrepresented groups like women, young people and persons with disabilities about their rights before and on polling day.
Nigeria |
More than two decades since the 1998 reforms that brought an end to the New Order regime and returned the power to vote in direct elections to the people, Indonesia is often called a beacon of democracy in the Southeast Asia region. However, challenges to inclusive and accountable politics across the different levels of Indonesia’s complex democracy remain.
Since 2016, WFD has worked with national and subnational legislatures as well as civil society and thought leaders in Indonesia. WFD’s mission in the country has emphasised incorporating human rights principles in both policymaking and its implementation. An important landmark in this effort was the introduction of post-legislative scrutiny mechanism in the Indonesian Parliament, a process which WFD supported extensively.
WFD Indonesia also supports the parliament’s efforts to enhance its transparency and accountability through the Open Parliament initiative. In 2020, WFD’s environmental democracy project began to aid the parliament in responding to growing concerns over environmental sustainability, in line with the country’s green economy commitment. In 2022, WFD Indonesia began implementing a regional project aimed at advancing women’s political leadership alongside other offices in Southeast Asia.
Since 2016, WFD has worked with national and subnational legislatures as well as civil society and thought leaders in Indonesia. WFD’s mission in the country has emphasised incorporating human rights principles in both policymaking and its implementation. An important landmark in this effort was the introduction of post-legislative scrutiny mechanism in the Indonesian Parliament, a process which WFD supported extensively.
WFD Indonesia also supports the parliament’s efforts to enhance its transparency and accountability through the Open Parliament initiative. In 2020, WFD’s environmental democracy project began to aid the parliament in responding to growing concerns over environmental sustainability, in line with the country’s green economy commitment. In 2022, WFD Indonesia began implementing a regional project aimed at advancing women’s political leadership alongside other offices in Southeast Asia.
How can parliaments ensure that laws they adopt have a positive impact on women's lives?
Morocco |
This strategy outlines our vision, values, and mission, our ambition for 2022-2025 and what WFD will do to achieve that ambition.
The aim of the visit was to strengthen UK-Ukraine cooperation by facilitating the exchange of experiences in election campaigning, policy development, political party growth, and voter engagement.
Ukraine |
The Young Parliamentarians Forum (YPF) of the National Assembly Nigeria was represented at the recently held Commonwealth Partnership for Democracy (CP4D) Conference on “Inclusive Politics in Practice in the Commonwealth” which took place on the 4th to the 6th of March 2020 in Westminster, London.
Nigeria |
WFD has been working and contributing towards strengthening democracy in Nigeria since 2012, promoting inclusive, open, and transparent governance and championing gender and human rights. We also work to promote the participation of young people, women, and persons with disabilities in elections and support the legislature to review and pass laws protecting women and girls against violence. This is in line with WFD’s strategic country focus of promoting inclusive citizens participation and accountable governance.
Partnerships at the national and state level have enhanced our democracy strengthening work. This includes working with the Nigerian National Assembly; State Houses of Assembly; Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC); National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS); National Youth Service Corps (NYSC); political parties; and civil society organisations that support young people, women, and persons with disabilities.
Partnerships at the national and state level have enhanced our democracy strengthening work. This includes working with the Nigerian National Assembly; State Houses of Assembly; Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC); National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS); National Youth Service Corps (NYSC); political parties; and civil society organisations that support young people, women, and persons with disabilities.