Women in Power and Decision-Making (From Sandesh.org)
Women and Politics in Asia (2004)
This is the March 2004 issue of NIASnytt, a publication of the Nordic Institute on Asian Studies. Included in this issue are the following articles: Fresh insights and perspectives on women and politics in Asia; Sons and daughters: Benevolent patriarchy in Singapore; Under-representation of women in Thai politics; Women, citizenship and the politics of dress in Twentieth Century Philippines; When competitive elections in China let the women down; and Quota systems in Pakistan under the Musharraf regime.
Women and politics in Asia (2004)
This bibliography provides a source for further reading to the NIASnytt: Asia Insights 2004:1Theme: Women and politics in Asia and is compiled by Anja Moller Rasmussen and Per Hansen, NIAS Library and Information Center, NIAS. It contains references to books, chapters in books and journal and newspaper articles. The references are selected from the databases Bibliography of Asian studie, databases on social sciences.
Women elected in 2003
In January 2004, a new world record has been reached, with women comprising 15.2 % in both upper and lower houses. Only 14 countries have reached the 30% threshold, commonly considered necessary for women to have an impact on parliament.
Women and political participation (2003)
Political participation strategies include mechanisms that enhance women's political participation. Examples of these are gender quotas that allot 30 to 50 percent of decision-making positions for women; gender mainstreaming strategies that promote a culture of gender sensitivity in government; national machineries for women, which have the primary role of leading and monitoring gender mainstreaming strategies of governments; gender or women's budgets that allot a percentage of national budget for gender mainstreaming and affirmative action for women's advancement. In legislatures of some democratic countries, women's sectoral representatives have been appointed on terms and capacities at par with elected representatives. A more recent mechanism that provides a leeway for women's political participation is the party list system where women's groups can bid for seats in the legislature. A WHRnet publication.
European women and power (2002)
Speech by MEP Maj Britt Theorin at the National Labor Women's conference in Canberra, Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 April, 2002.
View from Islam: The role of women in politics (2002)
Unlike many other ideologies or civilisations, Islam, from its very beginning, recognised the political rights and duties of women. Politics in Islam is not the taking of man-made systems such as freedom and democracy and giving them an ‘Islamic flavour’. The view of Islam, for both sexes in politics, is one of total submission to the will of Allah (Subhanahu wa ta’aala), not of the subjugation of women to the will of men. Unlike many other ideologies or civilisations, Islam, from its very beginning, recognised the political rights and duties of women. Politics in Islam is not the taking of man-made systems such as freedom and democracy and giving them an ‘Islamic flavour’. The view of Islam, for both sexes in politics, is one of total submission to the will of Allah (Subhanahu wa ta’aala), not of the subjugation of women to the will of men.
Moving into power: Changing the rules of the game (2002)
The purpose of this paper is to provide background for consideration of strategies to promote women’s leadership. It analyzes the state of women’s leadership in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), identifies the central obstacles to women accessing greater power, and concludes with a discussion of pertinent policy issues. The study is based on bibliographic research performed in the United States and was conducted within a short period of time, which has imposed regrettable, yet inevitable, limitations on the study’s scope and depth. Information on some countries or time periods is missing because data were not readily available.
Obstacles to women's participation in Parliament (2002)
Women around the world at every socio-political level find themselves underrepresented in parliament and far removed from decision-making levels. While the political playing field in each country has its own particular characteristics, one feature remains common to all: it is uneven and not conducive to women's participation. Women who want to enter politics find that the political, public, cultural and social environment are often unfriendly or even hostile to them. Even a quick glance at the current composition of political decision-makers in any region provides evidence that women still face numerous obstacles in articulating and shaping their own interests. What are the obstacles women face in entering parliament? How can women better cope with these hindrances? In this chapter we take the first step towards increasing women's parliamentary representation and effectiveness by identifying the common problems that women face. We categorize the problems into three areas: political, socio-economic and ideological and psychological (or socio- cultural).
Enhancing women’s political participation:
Legislative recruitment and electoral Systems (2002)
In this chapter, we focus our attention on two issues. First, we examine the principle steps involved in the legislative recruitment process in order to elucidate how women can increase their chances of getting nominated and elected. Second, we look at one particular mechanism proven effective in increasing women's representation: a country's electoral system. Which electoral systems are best suited to elect women and why? How have electoral systems affected women's representation in different countries? What specific factors should women be concerned about in the actual design of electoral systems? By addressing these questions, we hope to provide some insight on one effective and practical strategy that women can use to increase their parliamentary representation.
Using quota’s to increase women’s political representation (2002)
Given the slow speed by which the number of women in politics is growing, women everywhere are calling for more efficient methods to increase their representation. Quotas present one such mechanism. The introduction of quota systems for women represents a qualitative jump into a policy of exact goals and means. Because of its relative efficiency, the hope for dramatic increase in women's representation by using this system is strong. At the same time quotas raise serious questions and, in some cases, strong resistance. What are the arguments for and against the use of quotas? What are the best ways to implement quotas? What lessons can be learned from countries' experiences with quota systems? In the discussion that follows we hope to shed some light on this frequently debated mechanism for raising women's representation.
Women in parliament: Making a difference (2002)
Although women remain significantly under-represented in today's parliaments, women are now looking beyond the numbers to focus on what they can actually do while in parliament – how they can make an impact, whatever their numbers may be. They are learning the rules of the game and using this knowledge and understanding to promote women's issues and concerns from inside the world's legislatures. In so doing, they are not only increasing the chances of their own success, but are also paving the way for a new generation of women to enter the legislative process. How can women maximize their impact on the political process through parliament? What strategies are most useful in increasing their effectiveness? What lessons can women MPs share with those aspiring to enter the field? In what ways have women impacted on political processes? This is our focus in this chapter, as we move from the road to parliament to making inroads in parliament.
Going for gender balance: A guide for balancing decision-making (2002)
This booklet look at efforts to improve gender balance in highest levels of organisation in political parties, public administration, trade unions, and non-governmental organisations in Europe. How are organisations in these sectors addressing their own internal organisational questions? Achieving balance at the top of these sectors often requires changes in public attitudes. We have therefore, where relevant or illuminating, also considered the activities of actors such as political parties, national governments, and non-governmental and voluntary associations in attempting to influence the general societal context to be more supportive of gender balance.
Women in politics in the Council of Europe Member States (2002)
This document contains information concerning the Council of Europe member States in the following areas: number of women holding government posts; percentage of women in elected positions at national, regional and local level; measures designed to facilitate women's participation in political life; and type of electoral system. Information and data have been provided by the authorities of the different member States as of 10 May 2002 and selected from relevant documents of the Inter-Parliamentary Union.
Norway imposes quota for top women in business (Aug. 2002)
Norway is about to become the first country in the world to insist on female quotas for companyboardrooms. In a revolutionary move that has delighted unions and outraged big business, the Norwegian government ordered companies to ensure that at least 40 per cent of their board members are women. State-owned firms have been given one year to comply while the country's 650 major private companies have three years. The government plans to back up their decree with legislation.
Breaking through the Glass Ceiling (Feb. 2002)
The study "Woman and Power" published at a conference in Berlin takes a look at the obstacles in women's careers, and at what motivates women to push their way through these barriers to the top.
Women in Politics in Asia (2001)
Asia and the Pacific has had the largest number of women elected as Heads of Governments during the past three decades among the regions in the world. However, women continue to be in the minority in the area of power and decision-making although progress in improving the proportion of women serving in politics and administration has been steady.
Lady Leaders: The case of women's quota in Argentina (2001)
Argentina has taken steps to increase women’s participation in politics. In 1991, established that 30% of the candidate list for the Chamber of Deputies had to be women. As a consequence of the measure, the percentage of women deputies has increased from 5,44% in 1991/93 to 27% in 1995/97. At the same time the country was under Menem’s presidency that has been considered to neglect democratic institution such as parliament. The main aim of the paper is to answer the question Does a quota system enhance women’s participation in weak democracies? The argument of this paper is given that the numeric increase of women has occurred in a weak and or neglected parliament, the potential achievements of the initiatives has been neutralised. Additionally, argues that women have begun to make their voices heard in a political space that was traditionally controlled by men and this, in itself, constitutes a remarkable achievement.
Women in the Boyzone: Gender and parliamentary politics (2001)
This is a conference paper by Karen Ross which was delivered at the 2001 conference of the Political Studies Association. It uses interviews conducted with 75 women MPs from the UK, Australia and South Africa between 1995-2000 to consider differences in political style and agenda/ policy making between male and female members of parliament.
Gender of Democracy: The encounter between feminism and reformism in contemporary Iran (2001)
This paper is a critical analysis of the encounter between feminist and reformist political thought during the first reformist presidency in the Islamic Republic of Iran (May 1997 to June 2001). It places feminism and reformism in their historical context, discusses the complex forces that have facilitated their development, and analyses the interface between these two movements. The paper is presented in three parts.
Women in local government in Asia and the Pacific: A comparative analysis of thirteen countries (2001)
This document provides a picture of women’s involvement in local government in the Asia and Pacific region for this summit in order to provide a basis for discussion. This comparative analysis is based on 13 country reports and it highlights continuing barriers to women’s involvement in local government; initiatives that have increased women’s participation; and the transformative leadership that women provide in local government. It also outlines regional and country-level strategies for increasing women’s involvement in local government.
Feminists recasting politics and power (2000)
This chapter from the DAWN publication titled 'Marketisation of Governance' provides a critical analysis of the state and state-power. It also highlights the views on the state, power and politics of women in the South. Women’s participation in mainstream political activity as well as in the broader arena of governance is also reviewed.
Engendering global democracy (2000)
Ours is a world in which liberal democracy has apparently triumphed over its historic competitors. Yet concerns about its inadequacies have not gone away and may even be on the rise, encouraging the emergence of a range of innovative reformulations of democracy. Two sources of concern have particularly influenced this enquiry. The first is the long-standing feminist claim that women have been consistently marginalised within democratic ideas and institutions. Carole Pateman puts it more forcefully (1989: 210): 'For feminists, democracy has never existed; women have never been and still are not admitted as full and equal members and citizens in any country known as a democracy'. The second source is the more recent 'convergence of views ... that a major culprit in the hollowing out of democratic institutions and the growing incapacity of democratic states to direct their own future is the intensity of contemporary globalization' (McGrew 1997b: 234). This paper is rooted in the belief that both gender hierarchies and the impact of globalisation, and the ways in which they are intertwined, need to be taken on board if democracy is to be made more meaningful for more people. Further, the paper argues that the most effective and radical tools for such a reconstructive project are not to be found in contemporary global schemes nor in feminist democratic theory which aims to create a more women-friendly polity. Attention is drawn to an alternative strand of feminist engagement with democracy, in the shape of debates about the democratisation of the feminist movement itself. The paper focuses particularly on black and third world feminist interventions in these debates and their influence on efforts to construct more democratic movement organisation across national borders.
Gender, Leadership and Choice in Multiparty Systems (2000)
While a significant amount of research seeks to explain the comparative number of women in national legislatures, there is little research that examines the effects of women’s leadership of political parties on voting behaviour. This article brings together research on leadership effects in parliamentary elections and female candidate effects in legislative races. Ideological, structural, and situational differences between men and women have been used to explain gender gaps in voting. We explore an alternative explanation – gender identity. When women candidates are present, the gender identity hypothesis assumes that women voters are more likely to choose women candidates because of gender. While this hypothesis has been tested in legislative races, it has not been applied to party leaders in parliamentary elections. We test the gender identity hypothesis in Australia, New Zealand, Canada and Britain. We find that leadership evaluations affect vote choice across all countries but the effects of gender and the combined effects of gender and leadership differ across countries.
A question of relativity: The role of the news media in shaping the view of women in Asian political dynasties (2000)
It is one of Asia’s ironies that it has consistently produced more women heads of government than any other region in the world, yet there is little evidence that this power has helped to enable the ordinary Asian woman in any significant way. This study attempts to find some explanations for this paradox. It examines the forces that have helped to propel a number of women onto center-stage in the Asian political theater and, in particular, the role of the news media in this process. It explores the link between media portrayal of the dramatic rise to political power of some Asian women, the values inherent in journalistic commentary on their political governance, and its potential impact on the way women and leadership are perceived in much of Asia.
Promoting the participation of women in local governance and development:
The case of Ghana (2000)
This paper describes initiatives in Ghana to promote the participation of women in local governance and the role of European support. Local governance is interpreted as the active involvement of the local population within the territorial boundaries of a local government in ensuring improved quality of service and leadership at the local [government] level. It includes greater participation by civil society in decision-making processes and involves consensus-building and civic awareness. In view of this, the paper focuses on efforts to increase women’s participation as councilors and as well as initiatives to enhance the involvement of women and women groups in decision-making, requiring accountability and accessing support from local governments. It also presents interventions promoted through local governments to reduce poverty and promote socio-economic development targeted at women and seeking to bridge gender gaps and the European support in these efforts. Beyond this general support, it also looks at the work of the Institute of Local Government Studies in this area and European involvement in this capacity-building and coordinating institution.
Unfinished democracy (2000)
Nearly everywhere, with the notable exception of countries like Kuwait, laws entitle women to vote and be elected. But in reality, the proportion of women in legislative bodies falls far short of representing their percentage in the general population. The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), a Geneva-based organization comprising 139 parliaments, says that men still account for 86 per cent of the world’s parliamentarians and that no country—not even in northern Europe—has achieved total parity. In the former communist countries, which once boasted some of the world’s highest rates of female representation in politics, the percentages have fallen sharply since 1989.
The Quota System: Women's Boon or Bane? (2000)
Quota systems primarily set a minimum percentage of representation for both sexes to ensure a balanced presence of men and women in political and decision-making posts. The basic argument for the use of quota system is that it addresses inequality engendered by law and culture. Yet the same argument is being used to describe quotas as unconstitutional. Published by the Center for Legislative Development.
Women in political decision-making positions (2000)
This brochure contains facts and figures about the involvemnet of women in the decision-making processes in the institutions of the European Union as well as in national, regional, and local parliaments, committees and governments of the EU Member States and the EU economic area.
Cultural Barriers to Women's Leadership: a Worldwide Comparison (2000)
This paper delivered at the 28th World Congress of the International Political Science Association, 3rd August 2000 argues that cultural attitudes towards women play a significant role in hindering their political participation. Data is used from the World Values Survey 1995-99 to show that there are significant differences in attitudes towards women's leadership in post-industrial, post-communist and developing societies. There is also evidence that the barriers are fading among young people in post industrial societies.
Strengthening democracy through women's political participation (2000)
We are seeing women who are emerging as builders of democracy. Women who are registering to vote and who are making their vote count. Women who are coming to the forefront in countries that do not have a democratic tradition but are working in that direction. Conditions for promoting democracy may not be all that comfortable, but women’s groups are finding that they can become a force for democratic change. Many times, because they are women’s groups, they can begin by operating under the radar so to speak, without drawing much attention from hostile authorities. After a while, their numbers grow and their influence is clearly seen and heard.
Women's political participation and good governance (2000)
This publication draws on the experiences and expertise of ministers, members of parliament, government officials and members of national, grassroots civil society and the private sector, who participated in a UNDP-sponsored meeting on Women’s Political Participation—21st Century Challenges (New Delhi, March 1999). It focuses on a number of issues including progress made in women’s political participation since Beijing, the Indian experiment with constitutional amendments mandating the reservation of one third of local government-elected representation to women, and the wider connection between gender, poverty and governance. It also highlights the South African Women’s Budget, Uganda’s experience with new political alliances for gender and politics and explores the policy responses to gender-based violence.
Women and decision-making: Making women visible (2000)
Although women have taken an unprecedented active role in the political events around the world in the last decade, their participation in politics and governance continues to be limited. They continue to be relegated to the backseat of politics and remain unable to meaningfully influence policy and decision-making notwithstanding their roles as legislators, chief executives and top administrators. Women's decision-making role in the public sectors remains in the areas that are considered 'traditionally' female, such as social welfare, health, tourism and education. Women are excluded in 'traditionally male turf' such as economy, national security and trade and commerce which reinforce gender-based stereotypes.
Is democracy for women? (1999)
The impact of democratic transitions on the representation of women in the national parliaments of Southern Africa. One of the most important characteristics of society that correlates with women's representation levels is a country's state of development. Research in democracies in the developed world (Richard Matland) has demonstrated a clear correlation between the representation of women in politics and factors such as: Women's participation in the labour force; The ratio of women's literacy to men's literacy; and the ratio of university-educated women to university-educated men.
Women's political participation (1999)
Excerpts from the Executive Summary: A review of the trends in the field of women’s empowerment indicates a diverse progress report from different parts of the world. There are numerous difficulties still to be resolved. Targets set by the UN for a 30% (eventually to grow into a 50% women’s participation) have only been achieved in very few countries, but achieving these targets has not provided a miracle or instantaneous gender-equality and impacting context. But the trends also indicate that a great deal has been achieved already over the past few years, not the least of which is the use of the Platform for Action as an important tool in the strides towards enhancing women’s political representation, as well as in the realisation that women’s involvement in politics is an important prerequisite for democracy. The review of trends also highlighted important vacuums: the lack of information, whether in terms of statistics or analysis of women’s positions in different areas of political involvement (e.g. the judiciary, local government, and the private sector to name but a few); the tendency to collect such information from the developed world, and then to compare whatever little is available elsewhere only with the developed world and not necessarily with similar contexts elsewhere in the developing world.
Are Women Really the "Fairer" Sex? Corruption and Women in Government
Numerous behavioral studies have found women to be more trust-worthy and public-spirited than men. These results suggest that women should be particularly effective in promoting honest government. Consistent with this hypothesis, we find that the greater the representation of women in parliament, the lower the level of corruption. We find this association in a large cross-section of countries; the result is robust to a wide range of specifications.
Gender, poverty and governance (1999)
This paper summarises current thinking on the theoretical and empirical relationships between gender inequality and poverty, including reflection on how these relationships have been articulated in development policy discourse. It goes on to examine the potential for governance structures and processes, as currently defined, to promote poverty reduction in a way which recognises and responds to women’s gendered experience of poverty. In doing so, the paper reviews interpretations of ‘governance’ and explores feminist and other critiques of conventional approaches to governance. It asks whether and how the governance agenda needs to be reconstituted if it is to succeed in addressing women’s gender specific needs and interests. Finally, the paper highlights some strategic entry points in the governance agenda which provide opportunities for promoting poor women’s gender interests.
A global analysis: What has worked for women in politics and what has not, 1975-1998
The question, which this paper is supposed to answer, is indeed a "64 thousand dollar question." The way it was formulated could give the impression that what is expected as an answer is a series of recipes. Clearly, this paper will provide none. While it is obvious that women's involvement in the political process is, nowhere in the world, proportionate to the 50% of the population which they represent approximately or to their input to society - whether this input is or is not accounted for in the GNP - there exist no ready-made solutions immediately applicable in any context.
A changing Asia: women in emerging civil societies (1998)
Asian Perspectives: A Changing Asia, Women in Emerging Civil Societies is the seventh in a series of seminars sponsored by The Asia Foundation. Convening on September 18, 1998, at The Carnegie Endowment for International Peace in Washington, D.C. This is the document of that seminar which is focused on the role of women and the nongovernmental sector in the context of political, economic, and social change occurring in Asia.
Women and transformative politics in Cambodia
This paper discusses the position and situation of Cambodian women at the local level. It details the legacy of war as a major factor affecting the lives of Cambodian women today. Finally, the paper posits that women should mobilize forces with men to change the meaning of politics and transform traditional patterns of governance. This was presented by Minister Mu Sochua of the Cambodian Ministry of Women's and Veteran's Affairs during the Asia Pacific Parliamentary Conference of Transformative Leadership for Good Governance for the 21st Century In Bangkok, March 24-25, 2000.
Women and democratisation (1998)
The aim of this report is to re-emphasise the difference between equality in law, both international and domestic, and equality in fact. Women throughout the Organization for Security and Co-operation-OSCE area (i.e., Europe, North America and Central Asia), notwithstanding international legal and political commitments, constitutional clauses and domestic legislation, continue to fall behind men in the enjoyment of fundamental rights and freedoms. The report then focuses on some of the key issues relating to women in the democratisation process. It looks at domestic legislation and the rule of law, and the role that a strong commitment to equality in constitutions and legal acts can play. It emphasises that such domestic legislation must conform with international standards not only on paper, but also in practice: here, the need for effective remedies is discussed briefly.
Women's representation in parliament: The role of political parties (1997)
This is the full text of a working paper published by the Center for the Study of Democracy, University of Califonia Irvine in 1997. It considers how party characteristics effected women's representation in parliamentary parties in twelve industrialised nations in three periods of time 1975, 1985 and 1989. Variables analysed include: the effect of party organisational structure, political ideology and the impact of gender related candidate lists.
NGOs: An alternative power base for women? (1997)
This chapter from the DAWN publication titled 'Marketisation of Governance' provides a critical analysis of the state and state-power. It also highlights the views on the state, power and politics of women in the South. Women’s participation in mainstream political activity as well as in the broader arena of governance is also reviewed.
Women's political participation (1997)
This paper was a journey along several signposts. The first being the Beijing Platform for Action, which provides a firm and detailed framework for policies for enhancing both women’s access to and performance within decision-making bodies. Next were the key recommendations of major international conferences dealing with these issues, which elaborated as well as reaffirmed the principles and the advocacy of the Platform for Action, while stressing various features related to the entire sequence of institutions, actors, and processes involved. Hence, the affirmation that the field on which to enact and further women’s political participation is well-travelled, ripe for further mileage, as well as ready for a reassessment of the ground already covered.
Women in electoral politics: Lessons from Norway (1995)
In many respects, the political status of women in Norway is worthy of admiration and even envy by women from other Western democracies. Norwegian women's political representation, especially at the elite levels, is the highest in the world. A government led by a woman prime minister, Gro Harlem Brundtland, contains 47 percent female cabinet ministers, 40 percent of parliamentary seats are filled by women, the three largest political parties are headed by women, and women hold 35 percent of all positions on public corporate committees, boards, and councils. There also is growing evidence that women increasingly are influencing Norwegian political agendas and public policy.
Women and government: New ways to political power (1994)
As the twentieth century nears its end, a constant theme of the growing worldwide women's movement has been the need for empowerment of the female half of the human race. The year 2000 has been repeatedly invoked as the goal for the achievement of feminism's holy grail of social, economic, political and legal equality. Women struggle for their rights not only because they regard equality as inherently just, but because they believe that by sharing equally with men the power to shape and govern societies, they can create a better world for all people.
