Role of Women in Politics
Many people would attest that women are important in the social and political sphere currently, during the World War II and before the 19th century. In World War II, the capable men joined the army, and most of the women took up their roles in factories, farms besides caring at home. Many note that this was the beginning of women in the working force and their demands for equal rights. Thus, their position in the labor force was felt. However, this was not the initiation of women in the political arena. Women started featuring in the political sphere during revolution where American leaders used women in the economic boycotts in their struggle against the British rule. The goal of the boycott was to cease the purchase of goods imported from Britain hence women were to increase production of the homespun and finding alternatives instead using the products that would only be obtained through importation. This domestic was realized to be playing a significant role in the political field at the time. It was this advent that culminated women’s discussion of politics which led to their political participation. Thus, women’s role in politics has been geared towards change for all in the society.
The dimension of women’s participation in politics is on the rise at the global level. More and more women are currently winning political seats as well as deciding on the election outcome due to their empowerment and reduction of conventional politics in the male dominated society. Due to such environments, women have been on the forefront struggling to solve issues affecting them especially their rights to vote, right to own property, equal pay rights and the nursery provision in the 20th century.
The first real participation of women in politics was through money donation. The trend was initiated by Esther Reed and other women groups in the USA. These women collected money for donation to the American war efforts. General Washington accepted These funds. Later on, New Jersey adopted an election law that referred to voters as “he or she” hence gave women the right to vote. This act was adopted many years before the 19th-century amendment of the USA constitution.
Countries such as India have been experiencing a change in the political landscape for a long time where women gained their political rights, especially the rights to vote without a political movement. On the same note, women such as Vijay Laxmi Pandi from India was UNO Secretary while Indra Gandhi became the Prime Minister and Sucheta Kiplani, Jayalalitha, Uma Bharati, Mayawati and Vasundhara becoming Chief Ministers at different times. These women have gained respect in the society and have improved on their self-esteem besides elevating the status of their communities due to their abilities to make decisions.
Other nations such as USA, Brazil, and Liberia just to mention a few, women have been instrumental in the parliament where policies are adopted affecting the society. For example, Ellen Johnson Sir-Leaf who is the first Africa’s female president in Liberia has played a significant role in reviving the country’s economy. Hillary Clinton of the USA became a senator and had made a positive impact in the American politics while Sarah Palin, the Governor of Alaska was picked by former U.S Presidential candidate John McCain. All these examples illustrate the strong will to include women in the political fields. However, their numbers in comparison to men are still wanting. For example, Sweden has about 45 percent of the seats occupied by women in parliament. On the same note, the IAS has 592 women officers out of 4,671 officers. This number is minimal compared to men who have more than 4,000 officers.
In conclusion, the current society is appreciating the role of women and their participation in politics deciding on the election outcome besides contributing to the development of the nations. On the same note, women are striving to attain equality in their rights to all aspect such as voting, education and right to own property. Therefore, different governments should allow women to participate in politics just like men and should be provided with positions since they are also agents of change in the society.
