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Where are the women?
Although women make up 51 percent of the world’s population, they hold only 16 percent of parliamentary and congressional seats worldwide.
Their presence in corporate and civic leadership positions remains limited by entrenched gender bias. Women’s civic and political participation is essential to the achievement of open and democratic societies.
As economies across the globe have become more interconnected than ever, women's increased participation in the labor force outside the home has permitted families and countries to adapt and compete in the world economy.
Women are essential to economic development in every sense.
Yet, despite the fact that women constitute approximately half the population, women constitute a much smaller percentage of political representation in democracies across the world.
In response, many countries have adopted laws to guarantee a certain level of representation in their legislatures, either by reserving seats in the legislatures for women, or by requiring parties to present a certain percentage of women candidates.
According to the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) statistics, from 1945 to 1995 the percentage of women MPs worldwide has increased four-fold.
There are more women in government today than ever before but their numbers are not enough to change public policy and resource allocation patterns which are instrumental in bringing real benefits to women.
But still political parties often fail to adequately respond to significant barriers encountered by women standing for parliament.
These barriers have been summed up as the “four C’s” of confidence, culture, childcare and cash.
IWD call for women's Osteoporosis awareness
- United Kingdom (266 events)
- United States of America (200 events)
- Australia (163 events)
- Canada (133 events)
- India (55 events)
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This article has 5 responses.
1. Tori Crawford from Switzerland wrote:
Women generally end up in politics as a result of campaining for change, and it tends to be a logical and resulting route to follow. Often they have been 'community' campaigners. Perhaps if girls at school, right from a young age, were encouraged more to talk about leadership opportunities and had powerful role models to inspire them, then maybe we would see more girls actively choose to enter the world of politics at a younger age - and thus rise to the top levels of governments around the world.
2. Partha Roy from India wrote:
Your thought is deeply appreciated. Women need to be proactive in everysphere of life. I will be happy to support the cause women.
3. Inderjit Kaur from India wrote:
Yes, I agree. There are lots of barriers in the way if a woman wants to join the area of politics. For example in Vietnam, the elected President of country is still under house arrest. In India women can't get 33 percent seats in parliament, in worlds largest democratic country. Is this fare? Think about it.
4. B Bos from Canada wrote:
Can you produce all the changes that promoted awareness and changes in a positive way for women in Canada, and also what has gone backwards in regards to International Women's Day was that I asked a school principal once about IWD and was told it is of no concern now for education.
5. Nicole from Australia wrote:
So why is that women can have no more than 33 percent seats in parliament in India? What is the reason? Has this been challenged? I'm thinking about it.