Background Document - Danish Institute for Parties and Democracy

“The problem and challenges facing humanity are global but occur and have
to be dealt with at the local level. Women have the equal right to freedom from
poverty, discrimination, environmental degradation and insecurity. To fight these
problems and to meet the challenges of sustainable human development, it is crucial
that women be empowered and involved in local government as decision makers,
planners and managers.”
While the participation of women in local politics has been poorly documented
till specific studies were commissioned such as the UNESCO study of 2000 to document
and increase awareness of the issue in Asia Pacific and the study conducted by
the Council of European municipalities and regions of 2008, it appears that despite
being under represented in positions of power worldwide, women across the world are
better represented in local politics and government as compared to the national one.
We now examine why this is so more closely.
ENABLING FACTORS
The basic factor that has enabled women to access local politics more felicitously as
compared to national politics is because participation in local government is probably
easier for women to accommodate in their daily lives along with their multiple roles
in the family, household and employment. Local government is also seen as more accessible
in terms of the number of positions available and perceived to be less threatening
as it is an extension of the work they already do in the community.
“Women councillors can make a difference
for the women they represent, and could introduce
a feminized view to local governance more broadly,
something that has the potential to
aid all constituents.”
Once the process of women being elected at the local level gained momentum
the environment became more open for them, and to women’s issues being on the
agenda. Of course much of this culture of acceptance in the last two decades has been
prompted by an active women’s movement and by statutory requirements for quotas
of women. 5
The report ‘Comparative study Women in Local Government in Asia and the Pacific’
has identified some key factors that create an enabling environment for women
to enter local politics. These are:
Positive laws, practices and initiatives that ensure participation including statutory
provisions guaranteeing women the right to participate, signing of CEDAW; national
policies and programme such as specific women’s departments and plans; participatory
local government structures even if these are not specifically gender specific;
participation of NGOs in encouraging women to participate; training to participate;
regional and international conferences that provide support, training and initiatives
that increase the number of women; encouragement by women within local government
to other women to participate and support them and collection of data that enhances
the visibility of women.
5 Comparative study of Women in Local Government in Asia and the Pacific.
WOMEN IN POLITICS DANISH INSTITUTE FOR PARTIES AND DEMOCRACY PAGE 26