Women’s participation in politics lauded

The increased participation of women in politics has made a difference in the lives of many children worldwide, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) reported recently.

Based on the UNICEF’s State of the World’s Children (SOWC) 2007 report, which was recently launched at the UNICEF office in Makati City, women who hold positions in the government have brought relevant issues on women, children and families to the forefront of local and national agendas.

"In several cases across Latin America, Africa and in industrialized countries, the presence of women legislators were reported to result in the introduction and passage of laws and policies that protect children from sexual assault and abuse, support children with disabilities and promote other child-related benefits," the report said.

"Women’s participation as peacemakers, mediators and negotiators in forging peace agreements in conflict areas have also translated in greater protection of women and children," it added.

The Philippines is among the 13 nations that currently have women presidents or heads of the government. Liberia and Chile have elected women presidents for the first time, the UNICEF report said.

However, the report showed that women remain under-represented in national parliaments. The SOWC revealed that women accounted for no more than 17 percent of parliamentarians worldwide.

Countries in northwestern Europe showed the highest number of women in parliament, with 40 percent of women in the parliament both in upper and lower chambers, the report said.

The report also said Arab States have the lowest number of women in parliament, with a regional average of less than eight percent.

"At the ministerial level, women are less represented. As of January 2005, women accounted for only 14.3 percent of government ministers worldwide. Nineteen governments had no women ministers at all," it said.

The report also cited a survey covering 25 countries across five regions which shows that a majority of the public believes men are better political leaders that women.

"From being children’s caregivers to being secondary income generators for the home, women’s work burdens generally are much heavier than (that of) men. This often leaves little time or energy for political involvement," the report said.

However, the study found that, in the US, the household duties of women have decreased, while their interest in running for public office has increased.

The UNICEF study also showed that a country’s culture is a factor that indicates why women have failed to join politics.

"Another barrier for women is education. Women who run for office successfully, especially in developing countries, must have at least reached tertiary level," the report said.

The report said that a survey done by the Inter-Parliamentary Union revealed that, of 187 women in parliament in 65 countries, 14 percent hold graduate degrees, while 73 percent hold undergraduate degrees. — Helen Flores, Sheila Crisostomo