This guide talks about The full participation of women and men in a country’s political and decision-making processes as voters, candidates, elected officials and electoral management body (EMB) staff is crucial. Thanks to international instruments which lay the legal foundations to make this a reality, the increasing prioritization given to women’s empowerment by governments, the international community, civil society and businesses and an increasingly strong women’s movement, many positive developments have taken place and women have a greater say in how their countries are run than ever before. However, with women representing only 21.7% of world’s parliamentarians, in many countries they continue to be marginalized and underrepresented in political and electoral processes. Clearly, major steps still need to be taken before true gender equality is achieved in this arena.