National Democratic Institute South Asia

Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor
July 2007

NDI trainings included mock elections.

DRL initially supported the National Democratic Institute’s (NDI) regional Muslim women’s political development program that involved women from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan. Through the program, NDI conducted candidate and elected representative training for women through numerous regional workshops and a series of in-country trainings. The program improved the capacity of women to campaign for elected office and serve the public as elected officials, and developed sustainable local capacity of a few “master” trainers to train other women party members and elected officials. After being trained through this program, nine women from Afghanistan ran for parliamentary and provincial council elections; three of these women won seats while a number of other women were involved in supporting campaigns. In Bangladesh, 30 women from four political parties formed an all-party women’s political caucus to continue to give voice to women within party politics—which was a first in Bangladesh. One of the Bangladeshi Master trainers was appointed to serve on her party's Central Executive Committee, and two Pakistan women were successful in gaining nominated on the reserved Senate seats for women. To date, 3,736 women have been trained throughout Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan as a result of this program.

Trained women voting during NDI workshop.