Asian nations seek gender equality
Thailand and 10 other Asian nations have pledged to find ways to enhance gender equality in politics, according to a statement from a regional conference in Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia.
Former justice minister Phongthep Thepkanjana, who represented Thailand at the April 4-5 conference organised by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the National Committee on Gender Equality of the Government of Mongolia, said the pledges were made by all Asian participants and that he took the opportunity to express the status of women in Thai politics.
Mr Phongthep told the conference that both men and women in Thailand have equal rights to enter politics but the number of women remains low both at local and national levels.
He said it is now a good time for Thailand to foster gender equality in politics as the constitution is under discussion. There could be a chance, for example, to put in place some kind of quota system to increase the number of female candidates in various political contests.
Asian participants also explored ways of drafting gender quota laws, building the skills of women to take part in elections, making parliaments more gender-sensitive and strengthening political party decision-making and recruitment processes for women, said the UNDP.
They discussed the importance of seeking alliances with male politicians to increase gender balance in representative bodies, it also said.
While there is no simple formula that works for every country, the statement said the participants concluded that a comprehensive approach is needed for women's equal political participation. Change will not happen overnight.
Despite Asia's impressive economic progress in recent decades, gender equality is still a distant reality for many in the region. Globally, the Asia-Pacific region is second from the bottom on women's political participation, with women holding on average only 18.2% of legislative seats.
The issue of quotas for women in politics was a recurring theme throughout the conference.
"It is not just a simple formula of add women and stir," Pippa Norris from Harvard University said outside the meeting hall.
"There are many other windows of opportunity for countries to improve the situation of women in politics."
Ms Norris said constitutional debates open up new possibilities, and changes in party rules can provide new opportunities for women, while reforms that provide public funding for elections can help women who otherwise would not have financing to run for office.
Political parties need to step up and reform and be institutions that include women and other excluded groups, said Winnie Byanyima, director of the UNDP Global Gender Team.
Political parties are the gatekeepers for political leadership and women remain on the outside, Ms Byanyima said.
Eighty delegates from Cambodia, China, Kyrgyzstan, Malaysia, Mongolia, Vietnam, Indonesia, Myanmar, Philippines, Thailand and Timor-Leste participated in the regional event.
Delegations included members of parliament, representatives from political parties, government ministries, civil society, media and UN agencies.
Former justice minister Phongthep Thepkanjana, who represented Thailand at the April 4-5 conference organised by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the National Committee on Gender Equality of the Government of Mongolia, said the pledges were made by all Asian participants and that he took the opportunity to express the status of women in Thai politics.
Mr Phongthep told the conference that both men and women in Thailand have equal rights to enter politics but the number of women remains low both at local and national levels.
He said it is now a good time for Thailand to foster gender equality in politics as the constitution is under discussion. There could be a chance, for example, to put in place some kind of quota system to increase the number of female candidates in various political contests.
Asian participants also explored ways of drafting gender quota laws, building the skills of women to take part in elections, making parliaments more gender-sensitive and strengthening political party decision-making and recruitment processes for women, said the UNDP.
They discussed the importance of seeking alliances with male politicians to increase gender balance in representative bodies, it also said.
While there is no simple formula that works for every country, the statement said the participants concluded that a comprehensive approach is needed for women's equal political participation. Change will not happen overnight.
Despite Asia's impressive economic progress in recent decades, gender equality is still a distant reality for many in the region. Globally, the Asia-Pacific region is second from the bottom on women's political participation, with women holding on average only 18.2% of legislative seats.
The issue of quotas for women in politics was a recurring theme throughout the conference.
"It is not just a simple formula of add women and stir," Pippa Norris from Harvard University said outside the meeting hall.
"There are many other windows of opportunity for countries to improve the situation of women in politics."
Ms Norris said constitutional debates open up new possibilities, and changes in party rules can provide new opportunities for women, while reforms that provide public funding for elections can help women who otherwise would not have financing to run for office.
Political parties need to step up and reform and be institutions that include women and other excluded groups, said Winnie Byanyima, director of the UNDP Global Gender Team.
Political parties are the gatekeepers for political leadership and women remain on the outside, Ms Byanyima said.
Eighty delegates from Cambodia, China, Kyrgyzstan, Malaysia, Mongolia, Vietnam, Indonesia, Myanmar, Philippines, Thailand and Timor-Leste participated in the regional event.
Delegations included members of parliament, representatives from political parties, government ministries, civil society, media and UN agencies.
Comments
Post a Comment