Expert roundtable: Gender in Political Party Formation

Political parties rarely empower women and other marginalized groups. Processes of party formation represent an opportunity to break this pattern: the development of party structures, rules, and strategic priorities can be an opening to a more inclusive agenda.On November 20, 2019 from 2:30 pm to 5:00 pm, Carnegie’s Democracy, Conflict, and Governance Program in partnership with the National Democratic Institute and the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung is convening a select group of experts and practitioners for a roundtable discussion on gender inclusion in political parties that emerge during political crises or transitions.

Saskia Brechenmacher, fellow at Carnegie, and Caroline Hubbard, senior gender advisor at NDI, will present preliminary findings from a new study that examines the role of gender in three types of party formation: parties that emerge out of nonviolent social movements, parties that emerge out of armed movements, and dominant parties that splinter. The study draws on in-country research in three important past transition contexts: Tunisia, South Africa, and Burkina Faso.

Sandra Pepera, director of NDI’s Gender, Women and Democracy team, will moderate the discussion, with the aim of refining the study's findings, testing them against insights from other cases, and drawing out the implications for aid providers and practitioners working in transitional societies. The discussion will also explore the continuing importance of promoting more inclusive political institutions in order to successfully implement SDG 16 and SDG 5.

We hope that you will be able to join us for a stimulating and informative discussion. Please RSVP to Marissa Jordan, marissa.jordan@ceip.org by November 19, 2019.