Center for Asia-Pacific Women in Politics (CAPWIP)

CAPWIP's primary strategy is networking. Currently based in the Philippines, the centre operates through a broad network of national affiliates of women in politics clustered into 5 sub-regional groupings: Central Asia, East Asia, Pacific, Southeast Asia, and South Asia. The sub-regional focal points and national affiliates are autonomous organisations actively involved in women's political empowerment in their respective countries. CAPWIP supports this network through technical assistance in organisational and programme planning, training, research and information sharing. In addition, CAPWIP organises congresses that are designed to serve as a venue for women all over the Asia-Pacific region to share their experiences, discuss issues and articulate priority areas for action. These types of events are one of the platforms for fostering collaboration with women leaders, women's organisations, and existing political institutes.

Developing and advocating a women's agenda, and lobbying for electoral reforms and the Platform of Action of Asia-Pacific Women, are other core CAPWIP emphases. The particular issues that animate CAPWIP's advocacy efforts - and the strategies that have been developed to address these issues - are detailed within a Plan of Action which was formulated by and for Asia-Pacific women as a guide to achieving women's political empowerment and advancement by a) getting more women into leadership positions at all levels (e.g., at least 1/3 representation in appointive, elected and decision-making bodies) and b) developing an effective and responsible women electorate (e.g., through increased funding for political education and skills development of women in politics, such as in the areas of gender sensitivity and leadership skills, especially in political dynamics). CAPWIP itself helps to promote the legal and political literacy of women in politics through face-to-face training that focuses on women's leadership and responsible citizenship, as well as through trainers' training.

CAPWIP also seeks to "educate for equality" by seeking equal political socialisation for both girls and boys from early childhood through formal and informal education, including leadership development. One of CAPWIP's awareness-raising and advocacy tools on this issue and others is collaboration with, and use of, the mass media. CAPWIP informs the media about the objectives and outcomes of any political work programmes and plans, using print and broadcast media to enhance public awareness of the need for women's equal representation in decision-making and politics. CAPWIP also lobbies women and men journalists to support women in decision-making and to empower grassroots women; a key focus is using the media to assist in personalising issues, bringing them "closer to the heart" of the electorate.

CAPWIP carries out research, documentation, and publication in an effort to provide accurate and timely information to women - in part through resources available on the interactive CAPWIP website. For example, the organisation undertakes policy analysis and various types of research, including needs assessment impact studies, documentation and analysis of best practices in politics. This research explores such issues as the attitudes of women and men towards politics, the impact of the electoral system on women in politics, and root causes of conflicts and the potential power of women in peace-building and conflict resolution. CAPWIP establishes data banks and produces publications on women's political participation, women's political empowerment, and transformative politics.

Women, Democracy & Governance, Rights.