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- Title
ENHANCING PARTICIPATION OF WOMEN IN THE DECISION-MAKING PROCESS.
- Abstract
Recent democratization of societies leading to political, social and economic transformation adds impetus to women's struggle for greater influence in public life. Throughout history women have not been accorded adequate facilitation and goodwill to actively engage in national electoral processes on an equal footing with men. Sustained domination of leadership positions by men persistently grants women minimal opportunities to exploit their full potential. Therefore, a continuous critical analysis and review of the barriers women encounter is desirable. Issues outlined in the discussions that stand in the way of women and are perpetuated globally include: ∎ Legal mechanisms that are unresponsive to women; ∎ Attitudinal, cultural and structural impediments in society that ostracize women and deter upward political mobility; ∎ Economic disparity between men and women; ∎ Non-democratization of political parties and lack of practical policies to address gender issues; ∎ Women's access to technology and media; ∎ Violence against women running for political office, and ∎ Lower education levels and opportunities and a deliberate lack of leadership capacity-building for women. Women Parliamentarians concurred on the effective tools to promote women in politics, such as: mentorship opportunities among them; establishment of a women's wing in political party structures; caucuses for women Parliamentarians; quotas and reserved seats, and financial assistance to women seeking political seats. Overall, affirmative action cutting across all sectors was deemed the best action to favour women. Facilities in institutions like Parliament and offices can be made female-friendly to nurture young women leaders.
- Subjects
WOMEN in politics; DECISION making; DEMOCRATIZATION; POLITICAL leadership; TECHNOLOGY &; women; WOMEN'S rights
- Publication
Parliamentarian, 2010, Vol 91, Issue 4, p360
- ISSN
0031-2282
- Publication type
Article