The right to vote and the right to stand for election are two fundamental elements of democracy. Notably, many countries did not afford women the right to vote until the 20th Century. Even today, universal suffrage is not a given right in all countries, and women often face obstacles that undermine their participation in political and electoral processes. There are various ways to support women in overcoming these obstacles. Such methods include revising the electoral system used, applying affirmative action mechanisms such as quotas, improving voter education for women and training political candidates. These are a few of the modes available to strengthen women’s political participation .Photo©Jens Franssen
Conventional knowledge on the effectiveness of gender quotas for enhancing women’s political participation has, to date, been unanimous on the superiority of quotas in proportional representat
In the 2014 Fiji general election, 14% of elected parliamentarians were women. This percentage represents the largest proportion of women in Fiji’s parliament since independence in 1970.
The ideology and internal organization of political parties affect how different societal needs, interests, and social demands are represented. Some parties have been great advocates of gender equality and promoting women in their candidate lists through either quotas or alternation rules.
The ideology and internal organization of political parties affect how different societal needs, interests, and social demands are represented. Some parties have been great advocates of gender equality and promoting women in their candidate lists through either quotas or alternation rules.
By Malgorzata Bratkrajc, A new European Commission took office on November 1st, 2014. Unsurprisingly, the composition of the new Commission confirmed that the flagship EU initiative of gender balance in decision-making positions is not being taken seriously when it comes to the ‘top’ EU jobs.
Latin America has made considerable progress increasing political representation of women, but more active measures are needed to increase outcomes.
All political parties need funding to play their part in the political process, yet the role of money in politics is arguably the biggest threat to democracy today.
