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From the war in Ukraine to climate change - democracy is facing unprecedented challenges. Find out more about our impact over the last year and why our work to strengthen democracy has never been more urgent.
WFD’s Multi-Party Office (MPO) works with the UK’s smaller political parties represented in the Westminster Parliament on programmes that promote political pluralism.
In Malawi, the WFD SNP programme’s work with the Parliamentary Women’s Caucus continued, supporting the development of a four-year strategic plan which provides a clear roadmap for the country to achieve gender-related targets on girls’ education, women’s economic empowerment, gender-based violence, and women’s political participation.
This year, the Women’s Academy for Africa (WAFA) supported social democratic women to enter politics through training opportunities in Africa. WAFA is a regional network that aims to change the face of politics by identifying, educating, and empowering women in Africa.
The Conservative WFD Programme continued to strengthen democratic governance in Africa and the Caribbean by providing a platform for like-minded parties to share information, experience, skills, and ideas, and to upskill parties with the skills they need to be a strong opposition or to govern.
WFD’s work with Kenyan political parties, funded by Demo Finland, helped ensure persons with disabilities (PWDs) are included in political parties’ governing committees. It also helped to remove barriers so they could actively engage in the contestation of elections ahead of the Kenyan general elections in August 2022.
In 2021-22, our Global Equality Project (GEP) built on the success of our previous project on equality in the Commonwealth.
WFD is supporting the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA), to put in place the Bangsamoro Organic Law, the constitutional basis of Bangsamoro, and to build the required institutional architecture and structures for effective and inclusive governance in Bangsamoro.
In March 2022, a new programme to support women MPs launched.
In Ukraine, WFD focuses on the VRU’s institutional capacity, primarily around accountability and oversight procedures.
WFD hosted a Commonwealth Parliamentary Association UK (CPA UK) delegation and convened a women MPs mentorship workshop, in partnership with the Uganda Women Parliamentary Association (UWOPA) and UN Women. The workshop – which targeted new women parliamentarians – explored effective committee work and impactful external communications.
Recently, WFD brought together youth leaders from the main political parties in Albania, to participate in a workshop to strengthen their leadership skills. Held in the region of Gjirokastër, in the south of the country, the event saw 17 youth leaders participate in the activities.
On 12 August – International Youth Day – we are announcing a new three-year programme to boost engagement between parliaments and young people in Algeria, Morocco, and Lebanon.
WFD has been partnering with the Parliament of Sierra Leone to strengthen its capacity in different areas around the Open Government Parliament. The institution’s efforts to promote openness, accountability, and participation were recognised in the maiden Africa Open Parliament Index (OPI) report, as the institution ranked among the top in West Africa.
In less than a year’s time, Nigerians will be heading to the polls. The 2023 general elections scheduled for February/March 2023 will be the 7th since the country returned to democratic governance 23 years ago. This is the longest period of democratic governance in the history of Nigeria. While this is the case, there are a few challenges to be addressed in the journey towards strengthening democracy.
