Languages
International Knowledge Network of Women in Politics
The Recent Increase in Women Heads of State
Does the recent election of female heads of state in Chile, Liberia and elsewhere represent a large-scale shift in the political landscape? Or is this a short-lived phenomenon? How can the international community consolidate and advance this trend?
- pnelson's blog
- Login or register to post comments
- Printer-friendly version
Circles:
User login
Latest Questions to Experts
Focus on:
Interview with Liia Hanni, Former MP, Minister of Property Reform and Member of the Constitutional Assembly, Estonia
In the modern world online networking is an important source of social capital. Women benefit a lot from being members of social networks of young mothers, business women etc.
Upcoming events
Partner Logos
Comments
Female heads of state: it is a trend
The phenomenon you identify looks like a trend. According to Farida Jalalzai's forthcoming article in the next journal issue of Politics & Gender on women prime ministers and presidents entitled "Women Rule: Shattering the Executive Glass Ceiling she points out that:
"Few women around the world made inroads into executive positions until the 1990s. In fact, those breaking through from 1990 onwards represent the vast majority of the sample (74%). Between 2000 and June 2007, 21 new women came to power."
Aili Tripp, Professor of Political Science and Women's Studies, University of Wisconsin-Madison, and co-editor of the journal Politics & Gender (http://journals.cambridge.org/action/displayJournal?jid=PAG )
The increase in women heads of state
Entre el 6 y 9 de Agosto en Quito, Ecuador el CONAMU (CONSEJO NACIONAL DE LAS MUJERES) celebro la X Conferencia Regional de las Mujeres, se contó con la presencia de mujeres ex candidatas a la presidencia, congresistas, alcaldesas, ministras de gobierno, etc.
Las conclusiones sobre la participación femenina efectiva y directa en los gobiernos de los países que atendieron la conferencia no fueron muy positivas. A pesar de contar con una presidenta de la Republica en Chile elegida por votación popular. El porcentaje de actuación de las mujeres en los gobiernos es del 13% frente al 50% de quotas de participación ahora ley inviolable en casi todos los países de habla hispana. Es decir que el ejercicio del poder femenino es aun mínimo frente a la participación de los hombres.
El Ecuador se encuentra en este momento en un proceso electoral, la elección de Asambleístas para la redacción de la nueva Constitución Política del país. El Tribunal Supremo Electoral se aseguro que cada partido y movimiento político contara con el 50% de participación femenina y el otro 50% de participación de los hombres. Si ante la ley tenemos las mismas oportunidades, por que el pueblo elector no da su voto a las mujeres?, por que la inclusión es igualitaria pero las elecciones muestran otros resultados?, por que los espacios de acción para las mujeres no se incrementan?, será que el pueblo aun cree que las tomas de decisiones están mejor en manos de los hombres?.
Difíciles cuestionamientos con aun muchas más difíciles respuestas por obtener.
No difference from any country
My dear friends, In Ecuador the most unbelievable thing happened. The very same husband kick his wife (Ms Jimena Bohorquez) out of the party and the Congress, because he tought she was not being loyal with the ideals they had. To make this story short Mr Lucio Gutierrez (former president of Ecuador) has now his own party (Sociedad Patriotica) in which one his wife was elected like the first parliament. Once the Congress was installed, they started debating the possibility of Ecuador going to Assembly to change the Constitution. This party (Sociedad Patriotica) in the first debate voted NO and Ms Jimena Bohorquez voted YES. (I have to remarked that ECUADOR VOTED ON THE 16TH APRIL FOR THE CONSTITUTION ASSEMBLY 82% FOR YES AND ONLY 8% FOR NO, THE REST WERE VOIDS AND BLANKS.) At the end Lucio Gutierrez kick his own wife out of the party, the Congress and his own life (they are getting divorce). My trully respect for this wonderful lady, thanks to his betrayed husband now she is one of the most optional persons to get into the Assembly.
That prove you all that the political parties gain the women trust but once we are not useful anymore they get ride of us JUST LIKE THAT.
I'm from Argentina and the
I'm from Argentina and the landscape isn't very diffrent than other countries.
During last presidential and legislative campaign, the parties didn't give much space to the women...and the ones that did, included famous ladies that don't know a thing about politics.
In this country, we have many women that are highly qualified to work for the people but after working for the State for almost 6 years I realize that what's important is something else. The heads of the parties worrie about the election and how can they get as much votes as they can (by giving gifts to the people..it goes from a sandwich to houses)
I work at the parliament for a female representative and let me tell you that she doesn't care about anything, but getting elected again.
This is very frustrating...I'm a political scientist and I don't really have the space to work as I would like...
I belive that's great that Michelle Bachelete got elected in Chile...and the whole international community should applaud her. It must be very difficult to be the head of a state that has a very recent dictatorial heritage.
We, as members of the international community should work together to overcome the obstacles that many woman are facing today!!
I hope we get the chance to change this reality someday!!
Sincerley,
Lic. Luciana Elias.
Ps: Excuse my english
The Recent Increase in Women Heads of State
I believe the gains will soon become short-term if we don't become strategic about positions that women get elected or appointed to.
I recently learned through a workshop I facilitated for provincial local government women in South Africa that there is ceremonial and administrative positions which if carefully studied, can determine where the power balance lies.
For example, some of the challenges we face is that SA has achieved quota system and in some areas exceeded them, but if we study positions held, some are still ceremonial and therefore statistical.
We need more gender sensitive women in Town/City Management, Finance or Treasury, etc so that when budget are allocated, women's needs are taken care of.
This was an eye opening discovery!
Boitumelo Mofokeng
South Africa
Founder of Keepers of Memories &
Director/Owner of Media Pack - Media & Public Relations Company
LET'S GET TOGETHER!
"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams" - ELEANOR ROOSEVELT -
I agree with all women who have been writing about women to be elected to the office.
I read the stories about the women who run for the position then left or put at the seats that they wont be elected.
WE HAVE TO DO SOMETHING! WE REALLY DO.
Here in Turkey we have election coming up and the parties are choosing the women who are popular like actress but there are many qualified women out there who will be a great candidate so the parties are using the women to show off and not really looking into to elect the women who will do the work so PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE LET'S GET TOGETHER!
I have been in USA more than 10 years involved in politics and campaigns and in USA there are organizations who supports the women candidates to be elected so let's do same thing for the WORLD!!!!
Internationally support group to the women who can be elected especially YOUNG WOMEN.
As being young and women, I ask you to get together and open the road and support to the women to be elected.
Not late!
I am ready to do it with all my support!
I am looking forward to hearing from you.
Tugba Kalafatoglu
This is violence against women in politics
Hi Tugba,
what you are saying is absolutely true. Even in South Asian countries, the situation is same. The platform to enter into politics is given only to a few, select high profile candidates, the rest -young women politicians are lost somewhere in between their transition from politicians in the student wing to the national or provincial level. Very few women survive. And you have also rightly pointed that most women are nominated to seats they cannot win. Such kind of strategies are all part of the violence women in politics are facing,and it is time that we talk about this issue and come together to see how we can address it.
You can join our online VAWIP discussion forum at www.dgroups.org/groups/vawip to discuss on the issue of violence against women in politics.
Binisha Shrestha
Violence Against Women in Politics programme
South Asia Partnership International
Totally agree
And Latin American countries, such as mine, Mexico, is not the exeption. During the period 2003-2006 we experienced a very sad fact. To fulfill with the quota law requirements, the political parties included many women into their candidates lists, but once they were elected and taken position (one or three weeks later) most of them resigned and let the position to their substitute male candidate, whom finished the period till 2006.
That story is just usual, because sometimes women didn't realized how important is their participation and they just allow to utilize them.
Sincerly,
Solange Márquez E.
The recent increase in women heads of state
Dear Boitumelo:
Thank you for that wonderful insight, i quite agree with you that most of this positions are ceremonial, for example here in the Gambia, the number of women holding most key positions as permanent sec's out numbered that of the men but are as well ceremonial.
The inferiority complex that surrounds these women are enormous.
Increase in Women heads of state a sign of more to come
The recent elections of female heads of state is part of the winds of change that is bound to continue as women are becoming more engaged in politics and recognizing the need to actively participate in driving through changes that affect their daily lives. Activists and supporters can help advance this trend by ensuring that women have access to much needed resources and are able to learn from one another through networks and other forms of knowledge sharing.
Increase in Women Heads of State Is a Sign of More to Come
I agree with you Vawotwi and I want to believe that there are a lot of great women out there who can become great leaders. I have also seen through recent elections and campaigns in different countries that people are looking at women as a source of hope in national leadership. There are several challenges women still face i.e. limited resources, rigid participation procedures within political parties, lack of confidence and etc.But it is possible to overcome all of these through specifically tailored capacity building programs that empower women to overcome these challenges.
I agree with the comments
I agree with the comments made before me that today there exists greater awareness and appreciation for the need for women heads of state. However, for the consolidation of women’s participation in politics, it will be necessary to translate the success of women in national politics to the local level. Speaking to my region of Latin America, women have had far greater success gaining positions in the legislative and executive branches than local mayorships or municipal council posts. Furthermore, women politicians frequently come from the same socio-economic circle as their male counterparts. In Latin America, the inclusion of women in politics can not be achieved without parallel efforts to politically empower the economically-disadvantaged majority. National women’s networks must be extended to include this majority.
Networks
I agree that one of the best resources the international community, political party branches, and host governments can provide women activists and political leaders is the support of and encouragement for networks. These networks can offer resources, expertise, and shared common experiences. In addition, by linking regional organizations, political party branches or local government structures, they can create important links to spread the news of "winds of change" in other areas around the country and/or world.