Here are some thoughts on the question below - about how to promote women in politics:

1. They can promote women by promoting them.

2. When it comes to making judgments about who to promote or hire or consider as a close adviser, it really is a matter of always being aware of socialized biases. For example, I never say a women is aggressive. We can too easily construe behavior that would not make a ripple if a man were to do it, but consider the same behavior in a woman to be aggressive. So, I take that right out of my thought process whenever I have an inkling of thinking that kind of thing about a woman who I should be promoting or hiring, etc.

3. Understand that any suggestion that women think differently than men or are not as tough, etc, is again a product of inbred bias. Men think differently than other men too. Determination, commitment and loyalty in the face of adversity are the several elements of toughness that really matter and I have never known these to be unique to men.

4. Appoint a man to deal with women's equality issues in addition to women. Make sure he understands the issues.

5. Travel is often very important in senior jobs and there might be the fear on the part of some men that traveling with a woman colleague will be construed by some as inappropriate particularly if it is just the two of them. Put it out of your mind. It would not disqualify a male colleague and it should not disqualify a female colleague.

6. Stop all lewd, sexually nuanced and sexist jokes and talk. Publicly criticize it when you hear it. This demeans both women and men. Also, criticize anyone who chalks this kind of sensitivity up to "feminist women".

7. Call and talk to and meet with every woman you can think of who might run for office if encouraged and supported.

8. Within limited tolerance parameters based upon qualification, appoint equal numbers of women and men to cabinets. Remember men are often appointed to cabinets without the specific background.

9. Talk always of the importance of having more women in politics because we need the best people and you won't get them if you are only drawing from little more than 1/2 the pool and not from 100% of it.

10. Talk to all kinds of school classes and always point out the disproportionately low number of women in elected office. Then encourage all the young girls in the class to think of running in politics one day.

11. Understand that women often are not ready to run for office until in their 40's because they have taken a greater responsibility for raising children and need to wait until they have grown.

12. Showcase continually women's equality issues in platforms, legislation and speeches.

13. Sometimes women can lack confidence (men do too) in the face of elected politics. Recognize this and provide continual encouragement.
Challenge women who say they really just want to do the behind the scenes work as it might relate to this kind of confidence issue.

14. Understand that sometimes women (men too) in a caucus can get "a chip on their shoulder" not because there is something wrong with them, but because they are so deeply frustrated with being overlooked for positions of responsibility and challenge. give them something important to do and it will likely fix it."

Senator Grant Mitchell
Senator for Alberta

There is one very important note that is not dealt with all over the discussion: why should any society promote women in politics, one answer is proposed by senator Mitchell stressing the need to get the best people, which will not happen if society is only drawing from little more than 1/2 the pool and not from 100% of it.

It is very important as well in promoting women to underscore the kind of expertise and the different outlook women can add by virtue of being women.

Generally, the gender issue is seen as a point of weakness. Women are often dismissed as not being aggressive or tough enough. Although in principle this is a social bias as notes senator Mitchell, the notion of equality in opportunity should not mean simply dismissing the fact that they are women and that they are different from men. True men do think differently than other men too, but ignoring the gender question and saying that women are like men means simply dismissing the basic issue being defended which is the need for more women to be promoted in politics.

Women certainly can be as responsible and as aggressive as men but what makes them unique and important is the fact that they, unlike men , are WOMEN.

When it comes to making judgments about who to promote or hire or consider as a close adviser, it really is a matter of being aware of what a unique opportunity a woman represents. She will bring to office not only the experience and education and all the qualification a man would have, but also she will have an added plus value of a woman vision.

It is important to allow women to be what they are, and to respect their femininity. It is very important that women would not be forced to disguise as men in order to get their chance in politics.

There is a dire need to promote a respect of women, of being a woman. being a woman is a privilege as much as being a man is also a privilege. Yes Publicly criticizing all lewd, sexually nuanced and sexist jokes and talk is very important because simply this kind of practice demeans both women and men.

In my years of working in and with parliaments, I have come to accept that, as a man, I come with certain a bias. Informal opportunties (sometimes called learning opprtunities) must be found to provide knowledge to men in positions of power to address such a bias and to ensure the rules of the game (politics) are more equitable.

A couple of examples:

1. I have observed that when there is a political party nomination process, men are quick to step forward while women are more thoughtful before deciding to run. Ensuring party leaders slow down the nomination process and actively seek and encourage women candidates is crucial.

2. Many women will decide not to seek office because of familial challenges. Ensuring the rules of a parliament (sitting hours, access to maternity leave)are adjusted to ensure the rules are not inquitable is important.

Finding these critical points - where the right person has the right knowledge at the right time - is very important.

Kevin Deveaux
Parliamentary Policy Adviser
UNDP

Dear Kevin,

I agree with your examples of women being more hesitant to run for public office and hesitating to enter politics because of their family responsibilities. I believe there are serious reasons for both of these examples. Indeed, research shows that women are more hesitant to run for an office because they may think they are not "good enough" for the the job, they lack necessary skills, they are better in a support role, etc. Some of this psychological barriers may be stemmed in cultural and societal perceptions of women's roles in society and of the nature of politics.

There is a stereotype that being in politics requires being aggressive, invincible and if needed, combative. This goes against women's nature as consensus-builders, peace-makers and care-givers. Women from the young ages are taught that being aggressive and combative is non-feminine. Thus, women shy politics as something negative and "tough" to handle. Also, if there is no successful examples in a country or society of women leaders, then there is no natural paths for women, specially young women, to follow. For instance, if a young girl growing up has never seen a woman in a political decision-making position, she may think that politics is purely for men. I think it is important that we highlight past and current examples to women candidates and young women to change their views and perception of politics and to empower them to believe that women can do it as well.

Also, some of the reasons might be rooted in existing cultural and societal preconditions that women's primary role is to provide support and care both in their families and at work. If this is a general perception, it may create an environment where women do not take leadership paths from their early ages, and they help the "natural leaders" (in many cases men) to achieve the common goal. For instance, if a young girl was denied or discouraged or even never motivated to be a leader of her school group, religious club, sports team or any other social group, she would not have a leadership path to fall back on to when the time comes to enter politics. She simply would not have the natural inclination and belief that she can lead. Therefore, it is important that within our families and cultures we encourage and empower women from their young ages to take leadership opportunities and to believe in themselves as individuals who can make a difference. It is also important to provide women candidates with training opportunities, specifically training on capacity building, which can further boost their confidence and competitiveness.

Looking forward to hearing more thoughts on this subject.

Best,

Bahar Salimova