Introduction

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The Department of Political Affairs’ Electoral Assistance Division and the Office of the Special Adviser on Gender Issues and Advancement of Women are organizing a panel discussion to launch Women and Elections, a handbook they co-produced. The handbook drew on the expertise from the January 2004 Glen Cove Expert Group  Meeting organized by OSAGI and EAD, with the support from different entities, on “Enhancing women’s participation in electoral processes in post-conflict countries”

As the United Nations has been increasingly called upon to organize and monitor national elections as part of conflict settlement agreements, and recognizing the central role of women in elections and the need for their equal participation, UN peace operations, governments and civil society organizations expressed an interest in following up on the conclusions of the expert group meeting and having a guide on women and elections. Given this interest, DPA and OSAGI commissioned the handbook on Women and Elections.

• Moderated by Mr. Peter Eicher, Department of Political Affairs, Electoral Assistance Division

Introductory Remarks by:

• Mr. Ibrahim Gambari, Under-Secretary-General, Department of Political Affairs
• Ms. Rachel Mayanja, Assistant Secretary-General, Special Adviser on Gender Issues and Advancement of Women

Panelists:

• Mr. Anders Johnsson, Secretary-General, Inter-Parliamentary Union
• Ms. Brenda Oppermann, Gender Policy Advisor, USAID
• Ms. Amy Smythe, Senior Gender Advisor, MONUC, DRC  
• Ms. Sweeta Noori, Country Director, Women for Women International, Afghanistan