Archive for the ‘political participation’ Category
Women’s political leadership in Cambodia, Vietnam and Timor-Leste
Monday, January 30th, 2012Student post by Delaney Allan
Source: http://globalgendercurrent.com/category/political-participation/
2011 was a big year for women in politics. Over the past twelve months, the world has born witness to the election of the first female president of Kosovo, the first female prime ministers of Thailand and Jamaica, and the appointment of the first female president to the UN Human Rights Council. Advancements were also made in terms of changes in constitutions and laws. The implementation of new laws in countries such as Tunisia have brought about gender parities in constituent assembly elections; and, for the first time in Egypt, a woman ran for the highest political office. Although these achievements are notable, huge imbalances in gender representation remain in politics worldwide. The future of women in politics depends greatly on commitment at the state level to dedicate resources and legislation to the institutionalization and lawful promotion of women’s leadership and gender equality.
The guest speaker for the Global Gender Forum at George Washington University this week was Endah Agustiana, an activist who has vast experience in women’s rights, equality, and leadership. She is the Gender Advisor for the Seeds of Life Program and Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries/AusAID in Timor-Leste.
Dr. Agustiana addressed the promotion of women’s political leadership and equality currently taking place in Cambodia, Vietnam and Timor-Leste. These three countries have engendered constitution and law, established organisational structures and development strategies, and implemented gender responsive budgeting to promote women’s equality and leadership in politics.
Guaranteed women’s rights, gender equality laws (in Vietnam and Cambodia), affirmative action quotas, organizational structures such as gender centres, gender focal points (GFPs), the Gender Mainstreaming Action Group (GMAG), and the implementation of gender responsive budgeting (in Timor-Leste) have helped to increase women’s leadership in these three nations. The most impressive advance has been in Timor-Leste where just fewer than 30 percent of representatives in parliament are currently women. This number surpasses the percentage of women in the US senate (at 17 percent).
Dr. Agustiana emphasized that further changes are needed within the legal policy framework, including affirmative action against gender discrimination in a legal policy framework, political and institutional reform that enables equal opportunity for female leaderships, networking, capacity development, and an increase in the collection of and access to research and data for women nationwide.
Although the measures that have been taken so far have improved women’s leadership opportunities and participation in Timor-Leste, Cambodia and Vietnam, the percentage of women in leadership positions is still only about 30 percent. Women in these countries still face serious barriers to entry into political society. A key issue is policy evaporation — policies that are developed to promote women’s leadership and participation but are put into practice inefficiently and ineffectively.
Women also encounter institutional barriers. Women find that political parties are hesitant to appoint new leaders, and when they do, they often prefer men. This preference is rooted in the cultural traditions of Southeast Asian countries. Traditionally, men were the leaders in Cambodia, Vietnam and Timor-Leste. This pattern is not likely to change quickly. Women also face security challenges such as intimidation and violence; sociocultural issues such as access to education, finances, and other essential resources; and stereotypical discrimination, where “women’s issues” are dismissed as women’s problems and not a statewide responsibility.
Dr. Agustiana reported that women’s rights are equally important to both the ruling parties and the opposition in these nations; this unity strengthens the front against discrimination and improves the future of legislative and constitutional changes promoting women’s rights, leadership and equality.
Dr. Agustiana gave a fascinating and eye-opening talk. Her experience and knowledge are inspiring. She argues that state and local governments are both important in promoting future political participation and leadership by women. As she commented, dedication to gender equality combined with continued determination by women will lead to a much brighter future.
Delaney Allan is a second year undergraduate student at the George Washington University. She is studying international affairs and economics in the Elliott School of International Affairs. She works as a volunteer research assistant for the Global Gender Program.
Source: http://globalgendercurrent.com/category/political-participation/
2011 was a big year for women in politics. Over the past twelve months, the world has born witness to the election of the first female president of Kosovo, the first female prime ministers of Thailand and Jamaica, and the appointment of the first female president to the UN Human Rights Council. Advancements were also made in terms of changes in constitutions and laws. The implementation of new laws in countries such as Tunisia have brought about gender parities in constituent assembly elections; and, for the first time in Egypt, a woman ran for the highest political office. Although these achievements are notable, huge imbalances in gender representation remain in politics worldwide. The future of women in politics depends greatly on commitment at the state level to dedicate resources and legislation to the institutionalization and lawful promotion of women’s leadership and gender equality. Dr. Agustiana speaks at the Elliott School of International Affairs on women's political leadership.
January 26, 2012
Dr. Agustiana addressed the promotion of women’s political leadership and equality currently taking place in Cambodia, Vietnam and Timor-Leste. These three countries have engendered constitution and law, established organisational structures and development strategies, and implemented gender responsive budgeting to promote women’s equality and leadership in politics.
Guaranteed women’s rights, gender equality laws (in Vietnam and Cambodia), affirmative action quotas, organizational structures such as gender centres, gender focal points (GFPs), the Gender Mainstreaming Action Group (GMAG), and the implementation of gender responsive budgeting (in Timor-Leste) have helped to increase women’s leadership in these three nations. The most impressive advance has been in Timor-Leste where just fewer than 30 percent of representatives in parliament are currently women. This number surpasses the percentage of women in the US senate (at 17 percent).
Dr. Agustiana emphasized that further changes are needed within the legal policy framework, including affirmative action against gender discrimination in a legal policy framework, political and institutional reform that enables equal opportunity for female leaderships, networking, capacity development, and an increase in the collection of and access to research and data for women nationwide.
Although the measures that have been taken so far have improved women’s leadership opportunities and participation in Timor-Leste, Cambodia and Vietnam, the percentage of women in leadership positions is still only about 30 percent. Women in these countries still face serious barriers to entry into political society. A key issue is policy evaporation — policies that are developed to promote women’s leadership and participation but are put into practice inefficiently and ineffectively.
Women also encounter institutional barriers. Women find that political parties are hesitant to appoint new leaders, and when they do, they often prefer men. This preference is rooted in the cultural traditions of Southeast Asian countries. Traditionally, men were the leaders in Cambodia, Vietnam and Timor-Leste. This pattern is not likely to change quickly. Women also face security challenges such as intimidation and violence; sociocultural issues such as access to education, finances, and other essential resources; and stereotypical discrimination, where “women’s issues” are dismissed as women’s problems and not a statewide responsibility.
Dr. Agustiana reported that women’s rights are equally important to both the ruling parties and the opposition in these nations; this unity strengthens the front against discrimination and improves the future of legislative and constitutional changes promoting women’s rights, leadership and equality.
Dr. Agustiana gave a fascinating and eye-opening talk. Her experience and knowledge are inspiring. She argues that state and local governments are both important in promoting future political participation and leadership by women. As she commented, dedication to gender equality combined with continued determination by women will lead to a much brighter future.
Delaney Allan is a second year undergraduate student at the George Washington University. She is studying international affairs and economics in the Elliott School of International Affairs. She works as a volunteer research assistant for the Global Gender Program.
