women’s political participation. latvi a
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Women’s Political Participation. Latvi a. University of Latvia, Riga Feministica Lettica Ausma Cimdina. Womens’s Political Participation. Latvia. Theoretical standpoint - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Women’sPolitical Participation. Latvia
University of Latvia, RigaFeministica LetticaAusma Cimdina
Womens’s Political Participation. Latvia
Theoretical standpointPolitical participation and representation is a
precondition of democracy, sustainable development, social progress, justice and security
Women are under-represented in politics, decision-making and governance
Under-representation of women in politics and decision-making is a waste of social capital
Nature/Culture of Politics in Latvia
Women and the Institution of Family / Family Politics
Public Opinion/ Imagery
Main Research Areas
Share of women among deputies and ministers, % Latvia
1980/82 1985/87 1990 1993/94 1995/97 1998/01 2002 2005
Parliament 34.8 35.4 5.5 15.0 8.0 17.0 20.0 21.0
Municipalities49.2 48.7 35.8 37.5 38.7 41.2
42.3
c. 45.3
of them:
cities18.2 25.4 19.0 21.1
towns20.9 31.9 29.0 31.3
rural districts 41.3 40.6 41.2 43.9
Government 16.7 16.7 13.8 11.8 28.6 25.0 22.2
Female visibility. President of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga
Nature/Culture of Politics
Masculine by definitionNegative definition of politics, especially in Post-
Soviet society“High/hard politics” is considered dirtyWoman is not willing and being able to play
according to the rules of “hard politics”Woman is a site of conflicts and contradictions
managing different social roles (family, motherhood, job, career, politics)
Institutional barriers for women’s participation
Political partiesGender-created discourse of powerPosition, status, influence of woman in political partyMedia Do the media help or hinder?Image is more important than political vision Female politicians are being portrayed on the bases
of stereotypes old and newFamily- family politics, women’s role in family
Conclusions
Women’s under representation in politics and governance may be reducated or eliminated by :
- more purposeful activities towards the media and public opinion- conteracting gender stereotypisation in education - reorganisation of political and policy processesQuotas are not recognized as an instrument for
gender balance implementation
Thank you for your attention!