Gender equality in politics is not about the system allowing women in. It is not about politics giving something to women. It is about women actively taking their rightful place as equals with men in political decision-making. It is about women being agents of change.
Power and women are synonyms in a country where women are preached for strength, wealth and insight. Even then powerful women have to cope and deliver with the challenges that come with power. Today women in politics are constantly combating for equality in the political arena.
In The Gambia, the many and varied reports have over and over highlighted the low participation of women in politics. This is of great concern despite the fact that, here in The Gambia, women have over the years contributed, and continue to do so, in key decision-making processes.
As many as 14 women politicians from Indonesia, Malaysia, Cambodia, the Philippines and Timor Leste called for bigger and better female political representation and participation in Southeast Asia.
Chairperson of the Federation Council of Russia (the upper chamber of parliament) Valentina Matvienko has been recognized to be the most influential woman in Russia for two years running.
Despite the fact that Fu Ying, vice minister of foreign affairs, recently became China's first female spokesperson for the 12th National People's Congress (NPC), Chinese women’s political participation still lags behind.
Michelle Bachelet remarks at lunch Seminar: ‘Women and Political Decision-Making’ hosted by the National Women’s Council of Ireland and the 50/50 Group. Dublin, Ireland. 21 February 2013.
The frontrunner for head of state believes she can move the new generation on, so why are young men and women her biggest critics?