Women in Politics

Position of women has always been compromised and they are still undergoing the same trauma. Even though the number of women in politics has steadily increased it is painstaking to see the ratio still being so flimsy. Even the history of politics provides no more solace. Most surprisingly the country which brags about women’s rights and gender equality had no President from the fairer sex. The condition is no better in many other developed countries.

The World Economic Forum has come forth with its latest Global Gender Gap Index. According to the results Norway comes in first place and Yemen comes in last, but there are some surprising results along the way. The Philippines ranks sixth, Sri Lanka 12th and Lesotho, Mozambique and Cuba roll in at 16th, 18th and 25th respectively–all ahead of the US, at 27th place, and Canada, at 31st. I am sure many were outraged. But the equality does not lie in providing amenities rather in the social status of women.

I personally believe US deserves its place on the 27th spot even though the US media may throw innumerable tantrum. Why? Simple reason: I do not believe in the bra burning feminism that US epitomizes. Yes, the one which said “I will not look pretty or behave properly”. Well this way women are creating the “other” which men are playing with.

Lets see what happens in other countries in Europe. Italy’s president was not happy to see “too pink” a cabinet. The Italian cabinet has four women. BBC posts the profiles of these new MPs of Italy.

 

The glamorous new Minister for Equal Opportunities, 32-year-old Mara Carfagna, is a former showgirl from one of Mr Berlusconi’s television networks. She also came sixth in the 1997 Miss Italy contest.

A comment has been posted by an Italian newspaper, La Repubblica regarding a female MP,Maria Stella Gelmini who is the Education Minister believes that she believes in “grey quota” rather than “pink quota” is as follows:

Now we shall have the opportunity to find out how much ‘grey matter’ she has.

On the other hand, Spain – who coined the term macho – are doing a lot to set forth gender equality. The cabinet has more female ministers than male and there is a new minister for gender equality. Hats off to the Spanish government. I hope their implementations match their strategies.

Gender equality for women is a long way to go. In politics, even more so for it is where men dominate.  I believe  women’s participation in politics mirrors the level of social development.

In conclusion I will will simply quote Virginia Woolf in her book Three Guineas :

…to help women to earn their livings in the professions is to help them to possess that weapon of independent opinion which is still their most powerful weapon. It is to help them to have a mind of their own and a will of their own with which to help you to prevent war.