Stepping out of the shadows in politics?

For centuries women and men have had well defined and different gender roles, in society as well as in the intimacy of their houses. Then, little by little, the process to correct the disparity that has always weighed in disfavour of the female universe has started. Equality between women and men has become a commonly accepted value, at least in theory. Many have agreed that gender should not constitute a barrier and that the same opportunities should be available for both sexual categories.

The discrepancy between the recognition of gender parity as a universal value and its effective realisation reveals, nonetheless, the imperfections of our society. This is extremely evident when the participation of women in politics is taken into account. Even in highly developed countries such as the EU members.

The potential behind increased female participation in politics and first of all in the decision-making process is extremely important. Women constitute half of the world population and, therefore, should have a decisive role in promoting legislation that takes into consideration their needs and rights. In addition, women are endowed with specific qualities and skills that could only represent an additional value to society. Their capacities of deep insight and connection with their own and other people’s emotions could be an invaluable instrument in defining the priorities of society.

Yet women’s power is still underestimated. In the European Parliament, for example, only 35% of the members elected in 2009 are women. Even in national parliaments the role of female politicians is quite limited. Scandinavian countries usually score better. According to the comprehensive Database on Women and Men in Decision-Making built by the European Commission the best performing country is Sweden, with 47% of female representatives in its national assemblies. Denmark, Finland and Norway follow closely, with a female political presence oscillating between 38% and 40%. These results, although distant from the ideal fifty-fifty division of elective seats, are quite positive when compared to those scored by other European countries. In Spain a mere 34% of the members of the national parliaments are women. Italy does worse, with at most 20% of female members and only 5 women heading minor ministries in Silvio Berlusconi’s 27-ministry cabinet.

Even if we look at the issue of gender discrimination on a wider scale things are rather bleak. The Global Gender Gap Report published in 2009 by the World Economic Forum, that quantifies the levels of gender-based disparities around the world in different social, economic and political fields, reveals that Italy, Czech Republic, Cyprus and Greece are the lowest ranking EU countries in the list. This is certainly worrying, especially considered that even the majority of former communist countries, which usually register a certain degree of anti-feminism and apolitical attitude among the female population, scored better than them. While Italy ranks 72^nd and Greece 85^th, Lithuania (which in 2009 elected its first female president, Dalia Grybauskaitė), Belarus, Moldova, Romania, Bulgaria, Estonia and Poland do all better than them. Even Germany and the United Kingdom betray expectations, ranking only 12^th and 15^th, despite the former can boast a popular and successful female Chancellor such as Angela Merkel and the latter had its first female Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher, in the distant 1979.

A great number of people in Europe, however, are involved in the fight against gender disparity in politics. In 1996 the European Union’s Council of Ministers recommended the member states to introduce measures to promote more balance in the decision-making process from a gender point of view. Among the steps taken by the European Commission, on the other hand, there are awareness campaigns on the issue of sexual discrimination, the analysis of trends and data collection. In June 2008, moreover, the European Commission has launched the European Network of Women in Decision-Making in Politics and Economy that proposes to become an importation platform to stimulate debate and progress in the area. So far, European countries have been quite reluctant, nevertheless, to introduce the legal and political changes required for the system to become fairer to women.

Italian Minister Mara Carfagna

Although 19 out of 27 countries condemn gender discrimination in their Constitution, only five (Belgium, Spain, France, Portugal and Slovenia) have introduced some form of ‘pink’ quota to guarantee women’s representation in politics. France was the first in 1999 when Lionel Jospin’s government introduced a law that required the same number of men and women in some types of electoral lists. The response to this kind of legislation, however, has been extremely limited, and not only because of the obstructionism of the more traditionalist groups of society.

There is an ongoing debate on whether the introduction of ‘pink’ quotas is the best way to promote the so-called gender mainstreaming (the consideration of gender as a dimension to be taken into account in all political, economic and societal spheres in order for women and men to benefit equally from legislation and policies). A Euro barometer survey published in 2009 shows that 77% of women think that politics is still dominated by men, but only 10% are in favour of a ‘pink’ quotas system.

Some groups reject the introduction of quotas as an unfair advantage in a world that should be neuter-gendered. The truth is, however, that there are still many who do not share the idea that women should play a role in politics. This is often the result of a backward environment, still anchored to old stereotypes. The only way to fight this environment is to support a radical transformation of the society. ‘Pink’ quotas are a good idea only as far as they can help identify the need for a bigger change. To help women to empower themselves has to become the real priority, if we really want to achieve aware and mature gender equality.