Breaking through the Politics of Power for Women by Linda Fisk
More than half of the world’s population is female, but both in the United States of America and worldwide, women hold less than one-fifth of political offices. Why the scarcity of female candidates and elected officials? Are women indifferent, reluctant, apathetic, or tentative about political office? Is the political system impenetrable or unresponsive to women? Although formal barriers to political participation for women and other underrepresented minorities are nearly nonexistent around the world, it’s clear that there are factors that limit women’s political participation worldwide. What are the official and unofficial barriers, the formal and informal obstacles, and how do these barriers emerge that limit women’s political participation?
Laws, policies, and procedures that promote gender equality send positive messages to women and girls about their role and place in government and politics; the lack of such sends the opposite message. And, governmental silence in the face of continuing injustice and inequality is a continuing problem for women and the advancement of women in positions of political power. We know that norms about women’s appropriate roles and leadership capabilities can shape both aspirations and opportunities. Importantly, in countries where women have historically been absent from public life, such barriers to entry may be much higher. A lack of women in high-powered positions may affect both men’s and women’s perceptions of women’s ability to govern and lead. Without effective role models, both men and women alike are likely to question or doubt the ability for women to govern and lead at the highest levels, which affects the ability of women to win elections. Additionally, lack of financial resources can limit political participation given the costs associated with elections and the compensation provided as a public servant. We need rules assuring that candidates and legislators are paid a family wage, so women can seek political office as a viable career choice, and be able to feed themselves and their families, whether or not they win.
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