Summary
Measures should be taken to ensure that women understand their right to vote.
Obligations
Election Parts
Criteria
- The state took steps to ensure de facto equality between men and women
- All citizens received voter education regardless of their race, color, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, physical or mental ability, sexual orientation or gender identity, property, birth, or other status
Quotes
- Measures that should be identified, implemented and monitored for effectiveness include, under article 7, paragraph (a), those designed to: (b) Ensure that women understand their right to vote, the importance of this right and how to exercise it.
- The Committee recommends that States parties: (e) Ensure the registration and voting of women voters, such as by allowing postal balloting, where appropriate, and removing all barriers, including by ensuring an adequate and accessible number of polling stations.
- Where women are underrepresented on voter lists, observers should determine if election administrators, local authorities, community leaders, or NGOs are conducting any special programmes designed to reach out to women and to encourage and facilitate their participation.
- Specific messaging may be required to encourage women to participate – as candidates and voters – and to clarify that they can choose how they cast their own vote.