#DTDW: Mentorship and Skill-Building for Effective Women’s Advocacy

More from the Democracy That Delivers for Women Conference:

The panel on “The Role of Women in Democratic Reform” emphasized the importance of mentoring and sharing knowledge for giving women a voice in the political process. 

Shari Bryan of the National Democratic Institute noted the success of the “IKnowPolitics” website: mentors and peers share advice and best practices to help other women run for office – and win.

Michelle Bekkering of the International Republican Institute cited a World Bank study that found that an 8% increase in women in a country’s national parliament corresponded with a 20% drop in corruption, but noted that women activists often complain that women at the top (Presidents and Prime Ministers) “aren’t working to bring other women up the ladder.”

Nancy Mills of the American Center for International Labor Solidarity said that economic and political advocacy are linked: women gain skills in economic advocacy that allow them to move into political advocacy.