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On Friday 15th of May, WFD in partnership with the Nigerian Women Trust Fund (NWTF), convened a webinar to discuss strengthening of democracy in Nigeria, with a focus on accountability and transparency.
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Around the world, certain limitations to our freedoms in response to the COVID-19 pandemic have been accepted as necessary to uphold our collective and individual right to public health, not to mention our fundamental right to life. As a result of this COVID-19 pandemic, key human rights are at risk due to the enactment of emergency laws that are sometimes inconsistent with international human rights law and standards.
Cars in a parking near a residential area
Governments around the world have introduced emergency measures to fight the coronavirus, often alongside significant financial support packages designed to cushion the economic impacts of the virus and ensure livelihoods. At this time, accountability and citizens’ rights must not be suspended. Quite the opposite: checks on executives exercising extraordinary powers are increasingly critical. However, they are challenging in equal measure. 
Macedonian flag and a building
In April 2020, as Nepal's parliament is awaiting to be convened for its Summer (budget) Session and the country entered its sixth week of lockdown, some parliamentary committees resumed their business.  
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In April 2020, as Nepal’s parliament is awaiting to be convened for its Summer (budget) Session and the country entered its sixth week of lockdown, some parliamentary committees resumed their business.
People sitting around a table
WFD and our partner organization Youth Educational Forum launched a series of online workshops titled “The New Everyday Life for Students” aiming to help students learn and stay well during the pandemic.
a sign saying stay home be safe next to a laptop
Women’s political leadership results in better outcomes for society and delivers progress in policy areas vital for economic growth and development. Democracy cannot meaningfully exist if more than half of the population is not wholly engaged equally in decision-making.
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The COVID-19 pandemic is testing governance systems around the world. Where democratic systems were already straining under the pressure of post-financial crisis populism, this latest crisis is pushing political institutions and norms to breaking point. Emergency measures once thought unthinkable have been quickly designed and enforced, often with little to no public scrutiny or time restrictions. The variation in responses and results has again opened the debate as to the ability of democracies to deliver in moments of crisis.

Through all this, one factor seems to dictate the extent to which governments have been able to respond successfully to the pandemic: political trust.
Empty street
Speaker of the UK House of Commons, Sir Lindsay Hoyle, explains how the virtual parliament got up and running during the pandemic.
First virtual PMQs and Ministerial statement on Coronavirus 22/04/2020 in the UK House of Commons
UPDATE AT  24/04/2020 at 08.40AM BST
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Civil society organisations (CSOs) are a channel through which citizens can engage with the government constructively to make sure adequate services are provided, helping build more inclusive and accountable democracies. Their role is especially important during the pandemic, as civic freedoms are curtailed and the usual channels of engagement with the government are unavailable.
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Parliaments and parliamentarians can monitor and manage global state efforts through sharing lessons of effective national legislative action and support each other as they develop new working practices to support citizens.
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The coronavirus crisis is hitting public health, the economy and the state of our democracy hard – nowhere more so than in developing countries.
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Made up of more than 800 islands, the Myeik Archipelago in southern Myanmar is home to hundreds of marine species, untouched coral reefs, a diverse range of wildlife, and extraordinary beaches with crystal clear waters. In addition to serving as a destination for adventure tourism, it is also home to fishing communities who depend on marine resources for their livelihoods.
Fishing boat
The COVID-19 pandemic is profoundly affecting work and businesses across the world, notwithstanding its health effects. Planned activities are delayed or cancelled, and meetings are complicated, whilst digital technology is now facilitating communication between co-workers and helping institutions to reach out to their audiences.
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