International Women’s Democracy Network: Towards 2020: Strategies for Realizing Democracy

Printer-friendly versionSend to friend

The Sixth Assembly
Solidarity Across Cultures

International Women’s Democracy Network – IWDN: Towards 2020: Strategies for Realizing Democracy

Organizer:
 
Moderator:
 
Rapporteur:
Jennifer Pendleton – WLP (U.S.)
 
Presenters:
Kim Campbell – Member (Canada) and Chair, World Movement Steering Committee
Rose Quintana – Human rights activist and union leader (Uruguay)
This workshop was the fourth meeting of the International Women’s Democracy Network (IWDN), a network of women’s organizations and activists engaged in the promotion of women’s political participation, empowerment, and human rights. The IWDN, for which the Women’s Learning Partnership (WLP) serves as secretariat, also provides tools and virtual resources for exchanges of information and ideas to support these goals within and across the African, Asian, Latin American, and Middle Eastern regions. This workshop aimed to explore the current context in each region, as well as strategies and solutions looking ahead to 2020.
 
The workshop began with presentations by the Rt. Honorable Kim Campbell and Carl Gershman on the global state of affairs, and Lina Abou Habib’s presentation of WLP’s newest training tool, the manual Leading to Action: A Political Participation Handbook for Women. The manual was developed in response to requests for a resource that went beyond more technical, skill-based toolkits and instead offered practical and culturally adaptable case studies addressing a range of social and ethical questions that affect women’s ongoing formal and informal engagement in political processes.
 
Ms. Campbell noted that while much progress has been made on issues affecting women, including dramatic breakthroughs, such as the record percentage of women in the Parliament of Rwanda and, in some countries, increasing numbers of women in ministry positions, more work remains to be done. Women must be visible in positions of power in order to set examples for younger generations, and we need to make clear arguments for the increased efficacy and inclusive outcomes that result from women’s participation in decision-making processes. Through their participation in policy making, women can ensure that their daily needs and concerns are not overlooked. In the area of peacekeeping and conflict resolution, for example, women’s participation can lead to more gender-aware and inclusive protections in programs such as de-mining, and violence against women during conflicts would be acknowledged during reconciliation processes. As women have shown, they have been "on the lines," so no one can question their right to be at the table.
 
Mr. Gershman reflected on the need for the Leading to Action manual and its potential to support the goals of the World Movement for Democracy, including the importance of women’s political participation as a means of raising policy issues in socio-economic areas that more directly affect women and families. A consensus- and communication-based model of leadership is key to demonstrating that women’s participation is not a threat to men, to broadening networks, and to encouraging women to engage more fully in political processes. A core objective is the building of solidarity—not just gender solidarity, but a deeper sense of moral purpose and compassion demonstrated by women activists.
 
Regional Priorities
 
Africa
 
Hannah Forster noted specific issues in The Gambia that are related to the need to bridge the gap between the local and the global in democracy building. Key concerns include the minimal presence of women in political positions, despite the absence of constitutional or legal impediments. Women themselves are reluctant to engage in political processes within an environment that remains far more conducive to men’s participation and in which women may be subject to verbal abuse. Proposed strategies include implementation of local and national quotas of 30 percent women; working to eliminate the gap between law and reality regarding gender discrimination; enhancing civil society’s role; and positioning women to speak with a common voice on gender issues.
 
Latin America
 
Rose Quintana pointed out that while there has been political advancement of women in countries such as Argentina, even where women hold political positions, the government workplace fails to accommodate women with families, and the capacity of women to perform their duties is frequently questioned. The political system itself often operates on a patriarchal model, and a more fundamental change in the notion of leadership should be cultivated so such models are not reinforced. A glass ceiling remains, but there is an ongoing learning process for women political activists about how to engage as women. Ms. Quintana urged women to come together to document a unified vision.
 
Eurasia
 
Inna Pidluska spoke about the changing demographics in the former Soviet bloc that reflect women’s increasing numbers in the population overall, as single mothers, and in the educational system as both students and teachers. The educational system is thus an important place to tap into the future potential of women to engage in political processes. Poverty remains a particular concern for women, but there are no women serving in the cabinet or as governors in Ukraine, and while they are represented in civil service, the majority of them are in lower ranking positions that require longer work hours. Quotas have created some backlash from women themselves who are concerned that they cannot identify a sufficient number of women candidates. Women have spoken out in court against discriminatory stereotypes expressed by the Prime Minister of Ukraine, and Ms. Pidluska encouraged women to refrain from self-censorship.
 
Middle East
 

Asma Khader noted that the Middle East reflects some of the lowest levels of women’s political participation as a result of both wider contextual obstacles and direct gender discrimination. The political climate in countries such as Palestine, Iraq, and Lebanon, has led to delays in efforts and opportunities to make improvements. Women’s issues frequently take the back seat to "emergency" situations. Equality is constitutionally enshrined, but issues affecting women, such as poverty and access to education, have not been fully addressed. There is a significant variation in women’s education and literacy levels across the region, and health care remains a problematic issue for women and girls. There is a link between private-public power relations and the status of women, such as the need for government accountability for violence against women. Regional coalitions, such as the Claiming Equal Citizenship and Equality without Reservation campaigns, work to bridge that gap. In terms of women’s participation in elections, limited resources continues to be a factor, so economic empowerment is also important for increasing women’s political participation. In many countries, women are visible in the judiciary, education, and women’s rights activities, and for 2020 our dream should be to attain full equality and participation with 50-50 female-male membership in government. We can accomplish this by cultivating grassroots leadership, technological capacity, and youth engagement.