A number of issues come to mind when reflecting on this question. Is the question motivated by arguments against women’s equal participation and representation in positions of power and decision making at all levels or the questioning of women’s “merit” and “competence” when it comes to positions of power and decision making? Should the responsibility to incorporate gender perspectives in politics and policies be required from women only when women and men who are in elective positions such as at local government are voted in by both men and women?

Women who are in local governments are often faced with both informal and formal barriers especially when they form a small minority although they represent one half of the population in most countries. I would argue that consciously or unconsciously women in local governments are more inclined to incorporate gender perspectives in politics and policies. This is premised in the fact that women are good community mobilisers for a range of initiatives including community based activities as well political parties support, though unfortunately their community based work does not correspond with their representation in positions of power and decision making starting from the local government level.

Given the fact that women have different life experiences that differ from men’s, the view that they are able to contribute a new perspective to politics and on policy issues is valid. Women’s different life experiences and priority issues consequently result in perspectives that facilitate the placing of issues that affect both women and men on the policy agendas at local government level. The physical presence of both women and men in local government positions is a conduit for interests and needs of women and men being incorporated in politics and policies and therefore the numbers of women in politics matter if gender perspectives are to be incorporated in politics and policies in a sustainable way. This requires fundamental changes in politics, especially the value system on the basis of which politics operates and policies are formulated.

Rumbidzai A Kandawasvika-Nhundu
Senior Programme Officer(Democracy and Gender)
International IDEA