Women's Leadership

September 4, 2024 (JUBA) – The Tumaini Initiative and its mediators should adopt an inclusive, transparent, and people-centered mediation process, women leaders resolved during a round table discussion. 

The group, in a communique, extended to Sudan Tribune, urged the mediators to visit South Sudan to consult with conflict-affected communities, stakeholders, and the broader population to gather their views and experiences.

“After thorough reflection and thought-provoking discussions, we agree upon and put forward the following key priority areas, as well as corresponding recommendations that call for an inclusive and holistic approach to addressing the challenges faced by South Sudanese women and girls,” it reads in part.

 Represented by 16 different organizations, the coalition urged the government of South Sudan to expedite the adoption of the National Action Plan (NAP) 2020-2025 and allocate sufficient funding to the Ministry of Gender, Child, and Social Welfare to support its implementation.

 All political parties, it noted, should adhere to the 35% affirmative action policy for women by appointing more women to leadership positions and cease the practice of replacing women in decision-making roles with men.

 “Prioritize the Tumaini Peace process and address any contradictions between the Tumaini Initiative and the R-ACRSS through political dialogue and national consensus that includes women and civil society organizations,” reads the communique.

Read here the full article published by the Sudan Tribune on 4 September 2024.

Image credits: Sudan Tribune

One of the most exciting features of Bangladesh’s “Monsoon Revolution” were the visuals of courageous young girls and women on the streets, their defiant chants animating fierce feminist organizing and the individual and collective acts of rebellion of women against a powerful fascist regime.

They appealed to our conscience as daughters, sisters, mothers, and citizens, enabling us to overcome our fear of the unknown and leave our “natural domain” of the home to engage with the outside world of politics and public debate.

Indeed, the student-led uprising would not have been successful if ordinary girls and women had not mobilized in the public and private sphere to inform and shape public debate and shift public opinion.

Yet, as we celebrate the one month anniversary of the incredible achievements of the student-led uprising, the absence of women from political spaces driving the reformation agenda and in leadership positions in public office is alarming. 

From the scattered presence of women in the interim government’s meetings to their limited inclusion in leadership positions in the chief adviser’s office and cabinet, women have been strikingly relegated to the backseat of the reformation process.

How did the face of the students' platform on anti-discrimination post August 5 become largely male? The masculine nature of the leadership, debate, and deliberations that excludes or limits participation of women in all their diversity undermines the revolutionary promise of the uprising and limits the possibilities of imagining an inclusive future.

Read here the full article published by Dhaka Tribune.on 6 September 2024.

Image credits: Dhaka Tribune

True progress for women is not merely about breaking barriers but fundamentally transforming the structures that have long hindered their advancement. Nowhere is this transformation more critical than in the realm of electoral politics, where Indian women face significant under-representation and systemic obstacles. Despite some strides in recent years, India’s position in global rankings of female political representation remains dismal, highlighting the urgent need for comprehensive reform and active measures to create a more inclusive and equitable political environment.

Current State of Women in Indian Politics: India, with its vast population and diverse demographics, ranks a troubling 143rd in the monthly ranking of women in Parliament compiled by the Inter-Parliamentary Union’s Parline, out of approximately 180 countries. This places India alongside nations such as Congo, Botswana, and Jordan, underscoring a significant disparity between the potential and the reality of women’s political representation.

In recent general elections, female voter engagement has shown a steady increase. However, this has not translated into a proportional rise in successful female candidates. Out of 543 Lok Sabha constituencies, only 74 women candidates emerged victorious in the latest elections, resulting in a strike rate of 9.3%. This figure is a decline from the 11.7% strike rate observed in 2019 and a stark contrast to the 48.6% strike rate in 1962, when 74 women contested and 36 won. Despite over 790 women contesting this year, the number of women hopefuls remains significantly lower across all parties and independent candidates, freezing the level of female representation for another five years. This stagnation will inevitably impact debates, policy-making, and the presence of women in crucial decision-making positions.

Read here the full article published by The Sentinel on 7 September 2024.

Image credits: The Sentinel

The political landscape of Jammu and Kashmir presents a unique set of challenges for women’s empowerment. Historically, the representation of women in political roles in the region has been limited. Before the 1972 elections, political arenas were predominantly male dominated, with no female candidates successfully securing seats. The 1972 elections marked the beginning of female political participation, though the success rate of female candidates remained minimal. Subsequent elections, including those in 1977, saw a slight increase in female candidates, but their success remained low. The 1983 elections showed a marginal rise in female candidates, yet their representation was still limited.

By 2002, women occupied just 8 per cent of the seats in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, highlighting only modest progress. The year 2011 saw a rise in female candidates for panchayats, but women’s representation in higher positions, such as sarpanchs, remains limited. The 2011 Panchayati Raj Act mandated the reservation of one-third of seats for women in panchayats leading to a notable increase in female panches. However, women’s representation in higher positions like sarpanchs remains limited. [...]

Cultural norms and traditional gender roles

Cultural norms and traditional gender roles significantly influence women’s political participation in Jammu and Kashmir. Traditional roles often confine women to domestic responsibilities, restricting their time and energy for political activities. A 2023 study by the Centre for Social Research found that societal expectations still place women in secondary roles, with many feeling that politics is not an appropriate field for them. The perception of politics as a corrupt and dangerous sphere further discourages women from participating, as revealed by a 2019 survey by the Jammu and Kashmir State Election Commission, where 60 per cent of women voters expressed disillusionment with the political process due to corruption and violence. Societal attitudes favouring male leadership contribute to women’s underrepresentation, with traditional norms often hindering their electoral success. Despite an increase in female candidates in the 2011 Panchayat elections, women remain significantly underrepresented in leadership positions.

Read here the full article published by the First Post on 5 September 2024.

Image credits: First Post

In a statement issued on Thursday, August 29, 2024, the Minister for Gender, Children, and Social Protection, Dakoa Newman, expressed concern over the persistent harassment, discrimination, and violence directed at female politicians, candidates, and activists.

The Ministry noted that recent reports indicate that women in politics are subjected to high levels of verbal abuse, threats, and cyberbullying, impacting both their personal lives and professional reputations.

This hostile environment, she noted, discourages many women from engaging in public service.

The Ministry emphasised that despite the principle of equal representation requiring the participation of both men and women in decision-making processes, women remain underrepresented in Ghana’s political and economic sectors.

'In 2012, only 30 out of 275 Members of Parliament (MPs) were women, representing 10.9%. The 2016 elections saw this figure rise to 36 women MPs (13.1%), and the elections recorded 40 female MPs (14.5%)''. The ministry in a statement added.

''As a leading advocate for social justice and gender equality, the Ministry is committed to advancing practices and policies that are inclusive, through public education, advocacy and research.''

Read here the full article published by Graphic Online on 5 September 2024.

Credits: Graphic Online