Women's Political Participation

1465 Words6 Pages

Compared to many years ago, the situation for women has significantly improved worldwide especially with regard to enhancement of women's political rights or women´s representation in elective offices. Globally, women enjoy more decision-making power and influence, in social, political and economic aspects of life, than ever before. Since the 1995 Beijing Conference, women have been provided with opportunities and supported to hold positions in national parliaments, governments and executive roles. The increase of women positions in national parliaments from 11,8% in 1995 to 22,8% in 2015 has caused that women can influence existing political structures in their national governments and influence policy-making as well as a direction of the …show more content…

This specifically refers to women´s participation in post-conflict state-building or peace processes. There are pertaining factors limiting women´s political participation in traditional societies of Southeast Asia that have to be taken into account when enhancing women capacities or agency. The factors are as follows:
Social norms and stereotypes - social norms and stereotypes have influence on social but also political culture. In more traditional societies, these norms have power to keep women home and without access to education, public life or employment.
Legal environment and rule of law – non-existing or fast-track policies and temporary special measures are not only hampering women´s rights but also providing fast-track solutions to complex issues. The gender-sensitive legislation is crucial for the future women´s political representation, women´s rights to vote and get access to education and equal …show more content…

In Indonesia, according to Article 55 of Law 8/2012 on General Elections, the list of nominees of candidates for members of the House of Representatives shall contain at least 30% of women´s representation. In reality, there is about 17.32% of women in the House of Representatives in Indonesia based on the legislated quotas for the single/lower house and at the sub-national level, which is declining from being achieved before of 17.9% in the Election year 2009. Thailand has a bicameral political system, with the use of voluntary party quotas. About 16% of seats in the House of Representatives are held by women. The Philippines is the similar case as Thailand, a bicameral parliament with the use of voluntary quotas. About 27% of seats in the House of Representatives are held by

Open Document