Women at the Forefront of Democratic Change Program

Deadline: 18-Nov-2024

“Women at the Forefront of Democratic Change” is now open for enrollment! Don’t miss this chance to learn from inspiring lecturers and activists about women’s role in and impact on democracy.

In a world where women’s rights and women’s place in society are constantly contested and feminist claims manipulated to promote conservative, even illiberal, agendas, one could be tempted to see women as mostly victims of attacks on their rights and democracy. This is especially so because in the history of revolutions and pro-democracy and decolonisation movements there has typically been an overemphasis on the role of male leaders, thinkers and strategists compared to women’s.

Structure

• The MOOC runs over 4 weeks and is organised as follows:
  • Week 1 – Setting the scene
    • Main concepts
    • The interaction between gender equality and democracy
    • Women and democratic revolutions
  • Week 2 – Women’s quest for democracy in authoritarian and hybrid regimes
    • The mutual interplay of misogyny and authoritarianism
    • The cooptation of women’s agenda
    • Women’s movements for democratic change
    • Case studies
  • Week 3 – Gender equality, women and democratic backsliding
    • Backlash on women’s rights
    • Violence against women political actors
    • Women’s resistance to democratic backsliding
    • Case studies
  • Week 4 – Ways forward for more inclusive democracies
    • Trends and challenges in women’s political participation
    • Women’s movements as agents of social change and justice
    • Case studies

Benefits

• At the end of the course, participants who have completed all discussions, polls and quizzes will receive a free certificate confirming their participation.
• The course encompasses 4 weeks with approximately 20-25 hours of active learning. It will include video lectures, readings, peer-to-peer learning through discussions as well as knowledge checks with polls and quizzes, all aimed at developing and reinforcing personal critical reflection. Case studies will focus on examples and current debates from different regions and countries in the world.

Outcomes

• At the end of the course, participants will be able to:
  • Define key concepts such as gender equality, democratization, democracy, democratic backsliding and distinguish among different regime types
  • Reflect on the conditions for successful democratic change and resistance and recognise the role of women in these processes
  • Analyse political processes under a gender lens
  • Discuss pathways and obstacles to women’s political participation
  • Assess case studies in countries and societies worldwide and of their choice

Eligibility Criteria

• This MOOC is designed for students and scholars, policy makers, human rights field workers, diplomats, women’s rights activists and members of Civil Society who currently work and fight for democratic transformation, women’s political participation and women’s rights.

For more information, visit Global Campus of Human Rights.