OBJECTIVE
•To understand the
political context
and opportunities
for women within
this environment
Photo: Amy Hamelin , NDI
POLITICAL CONTEXT TOPICS
•Political actors and institutions
•Status of women in politics
•Access points and opportunities for
women in politics
POLITICAL ACTORS
•Media
•Private sector
•Government
•Political parties
•Civil society and international NGOs
•Academia
•Institutions
MEDIA
•Freedom of the press?
•Diversity and types of media
•Ethics and gender-sensitivity
Photo: National Democratic Institute
MEDIA
•Reports political developments
•Covers elections and candidates
•Opinion-editorials can influence public
•Informs the public
GOVERNMENT
•Daily administration of the state
•Provide basic services to citizens
•Implement policies of party/platform
POLITICAL PARTIES AND
COALITIONS
•Competing in elections to gain influence
•Aggregating and representing social
interests
•Providing a structure for political
participation
•Providing policy
alternatives
•Training political
leaders
Photo: National Democratic Institute
WOMEN IN POLITICAL PARTIES
•Importance of women as party members
and leaders
•Benefits to the party
•Women’s wings
Photo: Amy Hamelin, NDI
CIVIL SOCIETY
•Advocacy
•Citizen participation
•Bridge between the
public and government
•Government
monitoring
•Voter and civic
education
•Service provision
Photo: National Democratic Institute
WOMEN IN CIVIL SOCIETY
Women as agents of change
Photo: NDI
OTHER POLITICAL ACTORS
•Private sector
•Academia
•Religious leaders
•Regional/international
organizations
•Institutions
WOMEN IN POLITICS
•1935: Women’s political rights
recognized
•Advances in parliament: From 9% to 14%
•1 parliamentary committee chair
•1 of 26 ministries headed by a woman
•Men hold 82% of executive positions
EXERCISE
Women’s political participation:
identifying helping and hindering forces
Image: Inter-parliamentary Union
MINIMUM CONDITIONS FOR
POLITICAL PARTICIPATION
•Access to positions
of power
•Transparency
•Changing cultural
norms
•Women’s
economic
empowerment
•Political will
Photo: Amy Hamelin, NDI
OBSTACLES TO WOMEN’S
POLITICAL PARTICIPATION
•Structural
–Legal
–Economic
–Educational
•Social/cultural/religious
•Time and space
•Physical security
•Lack of confidence
MOBILIZING WOMEN FOR
CHANGE: MECHANISMS
•Women’s parliamentary caucuses
•Women’s wings within political parties
•Civil society organizations
•Cross-sector groups
Photo: NDI
POLITICAL CONTEXT REVIEW
•Roles of political actors
•Status of women in politics
•Access points and opportunities for
women in politics
Questions?
Feedback?