Women in Politics
Introduction:
Madeline Albright, Hillary Clinton, Eva Peron (Evita),
Indira Gandhi, has anyone ever wondered why the previously mentioned names
are of great significance? These women politicians are considered
outstanding; they are classified as “extraordinary” due to their
personalities, influences and abilities. Is the world aware of the
importance women politicians present? Are they receiving what they deserve
of honor and respect? We, at Datamatix believe that women have tremendous
potential to succeed in various fields, especially in politics. We believe
women have the ability to make a big difference in the world if they are
given a chance to prove themselves. The stereotypical belief that many
people hold about women in politics has become an unfair and unbearable
phenomenon. Some people believe that politics is an unsuitable profession
for women and that woman should be universally excluded from the political
process. This, as we assume, resulted from the stereotypical beliefs about
sexes: a few people are influenced by the idea that women are less motivated
to hold high political positions and the ability to effect change is
limited. However, if we display the accomplishments of only a few women
politicians that succeed in their domain we will see that this assumption is
not true. Although several problems acted as stumbling blocks that prevented
a few women from succeeding in the field of politics. However, some were
able to overcome the intricacy they encountered.
Gandhi, Thatcher, Bhutto
In 1959, India accepted its first woman prime minister.
Indira Gandhi was elected president, and then she started her journey of
success. Indira’s involvement in the independence movement was due to the
inspiration she got from her parent’s political activism. One of the
significant stages of her life was 1947, when she acted as her father’s
“First Lady” at important events, such as, speeches, funerals, important
meetings and conferences with leaders from all over the world. She was
always ready to fight and was always willing to improve India’s relation
with other countries.
Mentioning Margaret Thatcher is required to provide
support and a great image of an extraordinary woman. She was the first woman
to hold the position, “more than any British prime minister in 150 years.”
Margaret was considered the youngest person to run for parliament; she was
the first lady appointed secretary of state for education and science. In
addition, she was chosen to serve in Prime Minister Edward Heath’s Cabinet,
the first and only women to receive this position. She held great
responsibilities and was a hardworking person. Thatcher embodied ideal
leadership, where she tightly held her beliefs despite strong public
opposition.
Having a strong will, along with unthinkable courage,
Benazir Bhutto was able to seek her position as the first prime minister as
the first prime minister of a Muslim nation in 1987. Since Muslim women, in
countries or regions that have religious fundamentalists, have few rights,
her accomplishment is outstanding. Although she struggled to maintain her
position as prime minister, she was removed out of office in 1990, but was
able to regain her position few years later in 1993.
Women and political participation the Middle East
Just as the rest of the world has had great women leaders, the Middle East
also has had its fair share of women leaders, who have fought for raising
the status of women in a predominantly Islamic society. One such example is
Hoda Sha’rawi, pioneer of the feminist movement; Hoda Sha'rawi was an early
pioneer of Egyptian Feminist movement. One of the few women who participated
in the national resistance against British occupation of Egypt, she also
advocated equal opportunity for women. The head of the first women's society
in Egypt, she was also elected vice-president of the international women's
association and president of the Arab women's association. She was an ideal
for many other feminist leaders who followed her. She led the first women's
demonstration in Egypt in 1919, formed the ‘Wafd Party's Central Committee
on Women’, advocated girls education and equal opportunities for women in
education and employment, represented Egyptians in about 14 international
women's conferences. She formed the Arab Women's Association to discuss the
Palestine issue, and she called for the prevention of nuclear weapons,
particularly after the Hiroshima bombing and many other major achievements.
Another example is Hanan Ashrawi, a politician and
academic, she graduated from American University of Beirut and University of
Virginia. She was the spokesperson for the Palestinian Liberation
Organization, a member of Palestinian Legislative Council in 1996. In
1996-98, she became Minister for Higher Education, Human Rights Commissioner
for Palestine; in 2001, she became the Media Director and Spokesperson for
Arab League, and in 1974 activist for Palestinian women's movement. "A
passion for peace" (1994), and "This side of peace" (1995) are some of her
publications.
Suzanne Mubarak of Egypt is another example; She attended
the UN Fourth International Conference on Women in Beijing, September 1995,
the UN University Meeting, Tokyo in April 1995, UN International Conference
on Population and Development NGO Forum, Cairo, September 1994 and Cairo
Africa First Ladies Seminar on the Status of Women and Children in Cairo,
June 1993. She won many international awards, such as World Intellectual
Property Organization (WIPO) award on June 24, 2000, International Tolerance
Prize awarded by the European Academy for Sciences and Arts on August 15,
1998. Soka University bestowed upon Mrs. Mubarak its Award of Highest Honour
in April 1995. Mrs. Mubarak received the ‘International Book Committee,
International Book Award’ in April 1995, in recognition of her outstanding
efforts to promote reading in Egypt. The Health for All Gold Medal, the
highest distinction awarded by the World Health Organization has been
conferred upon Mrs. Mubarak.
Women and Politics in Kuwait
One of the most pressing issues in Kuwait today is women's suffrage. In May
1999, the Amir issued a decree granting women the right to vote and hold
elected office, but the measure was struck down by the National Assembly in
November 1999. Supporters have vowed to continue to push for full political
rights, and the government has indicated it will again submit a bill to
parliament in the next term. Not only did women play a major role in
liberating their country during the Gulf War, but they have also proven
active in several social and cultural organizations that routinely call for
political rights. Many of these organizations such as the Women Affairs
Committee, Kuwait's Union of Women Societies and other predominantly female
organizations, have organized campaigns and conferences to protest the
exclusion of women in the political arena. Kuwaiti women have been members
of international women's rights organizations as well, and participated in
the 1995 Women's Conference in Beijing. Kuwaiti women have on several
occasions protested against their political ban; they have routinely marched
on the National Assembly holding signs and banners demanding political
rights; on other occasions, they have marched into voter registration
centers in police stations demanding to receive their political rights.
Islam is not against women's political rights; in fact, under Islamic Law
all human beings are equal. Despite the obstacles, however, women are
fighting their way into politics. Recently, Kuwaiti lawmakers approved a
bill allowing women to vote and run in local council elections. A second
vote is needed, followed by the Kuwaiti ruling emir's signature, but this is
generally a formality.
Some of the prominent Kuwaiti women are Dr. Rasha Al-Sabah,
Under-Secretary of Higher Education and one of the Amir's most trusted
advisors. Named International Woman of the Year for 1996-1997 by the
International Biographical Center (IBC) in Cambridge, England, Dr. Rasha Al-Sabah
has exerted most of her efforts in the fields of education, culture, and
women's causes. Nabila Al-Mulla, was Appointed as Kuwait's first female
Ambassador. She was formerly a deputy permanent representative of Kuwait at
the United Nations. She is presently serving as Kuwait's Ambassador to
Austria. Fayza Al-Khorafi, She was distinguished scholar and professor. She
is an accomplished scientist, and the first Arab woman to be appointed
Rector of an Arab university (1993). Sara Akbar, a Petroleum engineer,
member of the Kuwait Oil Company since 1981. Played a distinguished role in
extinguishing the oil fires following the Gulf War and cleaning up one of
the worst environmental disasters in history. She received the 'Global 500'
award from the United Nations Environmental Program in recognition of her
work. Badriya Al-Awadi is considered the top legal expert on human rights
and women's rights in Kuwait. She holds a Ph.D. in international law, has
published over ten books, and has taught law at Kuwait University for the
past seven years. Ms. Al-Awadi's concerns include eliminating illiteracy and
raising awareness of women's legal and political rights.
Conclusion
Many people are talking today about the crisis in both the economy and
in the financial-banking sector, as well as in politics. Issues like the
population's patience come up; some forecast a societal revolt, and so on.
But it is odd that when discussing a crisis in popular trust, the subject of
"women and power" is not discussed. They assure women that politics is not
for them, and that to be involved in politics is a male affair. It is true
that one cannot say women have no responsibility for this situation: after
all, they themselves allowed others to decide their fate without their
active political participation in deciding their country's destiny.
Meanwhile, the burden of daily life under conditions lies precisely on
women's shoulders.
Today it is important to understand: what benefit can
society overall gain from a state and political leadership that is based on
the partnership of men and women in politics? The answer is simple: the
partnership of men and women in politics is the source of a more full and
representative democracies, in as much as it creates real opportunities to
take into account multiple interests in society.
Women are not only better than men are at representing
their own interests, but are able to influence the political system by
taking decision-making roles. "Finally, the time has come when it's become
an advantage not to be a man. After all, men achieved the state budget
deficit, radioactive dumps, the financial collapse of credit banks and many
other misfortunes. Women turned out to be in a beneficial position - they
were not involved in deciding on all these issues," so wrote the American,
Margaret Carlson, characterizing the situation in her own country. Today,
the defense of women's rights as human rights is a general task for all
women, without regard to their social status and ideological preferences. |
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