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POPSGlobal Database of Quotas for Women
Obstacles to women's political participation exist throughout the world in prevailing social and economic regimes, as well as in existing political structures. In 2005, the representation of women reached nearly 16 percent globally. Although this total has increased in recent years, the minimal progress globally means that the ideal of parity remains a long way off. Given the slow rate at which the representation of women is increasing, various methods -- such as electoral quotas -- have been proposed or implemented to address the present gender imbalance in decision-making. Consequently, governments and political parties have experimented with different types of quotas. As the debate about the use of quotas as a tool to increase the political participation of women gains momentum, International IDEA and Stockholm University are collaborating on a research project leading to the production of a comparative knowledge and resources on their implementation and impact.
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POPSA Drought in Australia, a Global Shortage of Rice The drought’s effect on rice has produced the greatest impact on the rest of the world, so far. It is one factor contributing to skyrocketing prices, and many scientists believe it is among the earliest signs that a warming planet is starting to affect food production. It is difficult to definitely link short-term changes in weather to long-term climate change, but the unusually severe drought is consistent with what climatologists predict will be a problem of increasing frequency.
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POPSKenya battles swarms of Locusts Cute little buggers aren't they? Guess this is one species which is thriving with climate changes. The insects have always been the most adaptable.
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POPSRobert Kaplan on Africom One of the more extreme, and often more honest, commentators on corporate U.S. policy. Keep U.S. blood out of the media (perhaps have Ethiopian soldiers do the dirty work instead) and the occupation can last longer.
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POPSAnnual Worldwide Press Freedom Index 2007: RWB "The detention of Al-Jazeera’s Sudanese cameraman, Sami Al-Haj, since 13 June 2002 at the military base of Guantanamo and the murder of Chauncey Bailey in Oakland in August mean the United States is still unable to join the lead group." "All of the EU countries made it into the top 50 except Bulgaria (51st) and Poland (56th). The countries of northern Europe are always the ones who behave best. The exception is Netherlands (12th), which has fallen 12 places because it kept two Telegraaf journalists in custody for two days for refusing to reveal their sources to the judicial authorities. "The Internet is occupying more and more space in the breakdown of press freedom violations. Several countries fell in the ranking this year because of serious, repeated violations of the free flow of online news and information."