Historically, women have been underrepresented in governance and decision-making processes, but over the past century, there has been progress in many countries. Women’s political participation has evolved significantly over the centuries, shaped by social movements, legal reforms, and changing cultural norms.
An overview of the key historical milestones include:
- Ancient democracies: In early democracies, such as ancient Greece and Rome, political participation was limited to men, with women excluded from voting, leadership, and civic roles. Even though women occasionally held positions of influence through royal or religious roles (like Cleopatra in Egypt), formal representation in politics was virtually non-existent.
- FEUDAL AND MONARCHIC SOCIETIES: In medieval Europe and other feudal societies, women were largely confined to private roles, though some wielded power as queens or regents. However, their involvement in governance was often through familial connections, not by democratic principles.
- 17TH AND 18TH CENTURIES: The Enlightenment era saw the birth of modern democratic ideas, but even as movements for democracy and liberty flourished in the West, women were systematically excluded from the political sphere. The American and French revolutions, while championing equality and rights for citizens, did not extend these rights to women.
- EARLY ACTIVISM: The 19th century saw the rise of organized campaigns for women’s political rights, particularly in Europe and North America. Women began to demand the right to vote, a movement known as women’s suffrage.
- FEMINIST MOVEMENTS AND POLITICAL REPRESENTATION: Second-Wave Feminism (1960s-1980s): This movement focused not only on legal equality but also on issues like workplace discrimination, reproductive rights, and political representation. The feminist movement brought renewed attention to the underrepresentation of women in political institutions.
- GENDER QUOTAS AND POLITICAL REFORMS: By the late 20th century, many countries began implementing measures to increase women’s participation in politics. Gender quotas, whether voluntary or mandated by law, became an important tool in achieving greater female representation in parliaments and local governments.
- INCREASING REPRESENTATION: Over the past two decades, many countries have made significant strides toward gender parity in politics. Countries like Rwanda, with its mandatory quotas, have led the way with women holding over 60 percent of seats in parliament. The journey toward women’s representation in democracy has been long and challenging, beginning with exclusion from public life and evolving into a global movement for equal rights.
Today, women’s representation in democracy continues to improve globally, but progress varies by region, and despite notable advances in some areas, women are still underrepresented in political leadership and decision-making roles across the world.
- REGIONAL VARIATIONS:
NORDIC COUNTRIES: Countries like Iceland, Finland, Norway, Sweden, and Denmark consistently lead in women’s political representation, with women making up around 40-50 percent of parliamentary seats. These countries have strong gender equality policies and have implemented quota systems that contribute to higher female participation.
SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA: While African countries like Rwanda and South Africa have made significant strides, with Rwanda having the highest percentage of women in parliament globally, other countries in the region still lag behind, with women holding fewer political leadership roles.
LATIN AMERICA: Countries like Bolivia, Mexico, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica have seen notable progress, largely due to gender quotas. In some cases, women hold nearly half of parliamentary seats.
MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA: The region remains one of the most challenging for women’s political participation, though countries like Tunisia and Morocco have made incremental progress in recent years through constitutional reforms and quotas.
ASIA AND THE PACIFIC: Countries like New Zealand and the Philippines have relatively high levels of female political participation, while others, like Japan and South Korea, still face low representation of women in national legislatures.
CURRENT TRENDS:
INCREASING REPRESENTATION OF WOMEN IN GREEN AND SOCIAL JUSTICE MOVEMENTS: Women are playing prominent roles in global movements related to climate change, social justice, and human rights, such as Greta Thunberg’s activism for climate justice and Jacinda Ardern’s leadership on progressive policies in New Zealand.
FOCUS ON GENDER-RESPONSIVE POLICIES: More women in politics has often led to an increased focus on policies related to healthcare, education, gender-based violence, and social welfare. Women leaders are pushing for gender-responsive budgeting and programs aimed at improving the lives of women and marginalized communities.
GENDER PARITY IN THE DIGITAL AGE: There is a growing movement to ensure that digital spaces and technologies are gender-inclusive, addressing the issue of online harassment faced by women politicians and advocating for better protections for women in digital political spaces.
There is no doubt in the fact that gender quotas, parity laws, and international advocacy efforts have been instrumental in increasing the number of women in political offices, but ongoing issues like violence, discrimination, and cultural biases continue to limit women’s full participation. Further reforms, stronger enforcement of quotas, and cultural shifts will be necessary to ensure women’s equitable participation in democratic governance across the world.
Women in democracy face numerous challenges that hinder their full and equal participation in political life. These challenges are both structural and cultural, varying across regions, but some key obstacles persist globally.
- CULTURAL AND SOCIAL NORMS:
PATRIARCHAL SOCIETIES: In many countries, deeply ingrained patriarchal norms dictate that women’s primary roles are in the home, not in public or political life. These cultural expectations often discourage women from pursuing careers in politics or participating in decision-making processes.
GENDER ROLES: Traditional views about gender roles often prioritize men as leaders and decision-makers, while women are expected to focus on family and caregiving responsibilities. This cultural bias leads to fewer opportunities for women to enter politics or climb the political ladder.
2. VIOLENCE AND HARASSMENT:
GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE IN POLITICS: Women in politics are frequently targets of gender-based violence, harassment, and intimidation. This can range from verbal abuse and online trolling to physical threats and assaults. The purpose of this violence is often to silence and disempower women, discouraging their political participation.
ONLINE ABUSE: With the rise of digital platforms, women politicians are increasingly subjected to online abuse, which often takes on sexist, racist, or misogynistic overtones. The psychological impact of this abuse can be profound, leading some women to leave politics or avoid running for office altogether.
3. UNEQUAL POLITICAL PARTICIPATION
VOTING DISPARITIES: In some regions, women face barriers to voting, including lack of education, mobility, or access to information about the political process. In rural or conservative areas, women may also face family or community pressure to refrain from voting or participating in politics. Normally, leadership roles in finance, defence, or foreign affairs are often reserved for men, limiting women’s influence on critical policy issues. Thus, while women’s representation in democracy has increased significantly over the past century, deep-rooted challenges remain. Cultural attitudes, structural barriers, and economic inequality continue to hinder women’s full participation in political life.
