Women’s participation and influence in politics is about strengthening the rights and opportunities of women to affect society. It also deals with representation in formal and informal decision-making forums and procedures on all levels.
Political representation deals with the ratio of women in government but even more so, their actual power and influence in decision-making, legislation and conflict management. It further aims to increase the physical freedom of movement for women and girls and the opportunity to become organised so women can act as agents of change to the same extent as men. Increased gender equality in politics on national and local levels is vital for fair representation and heightened democracy. Women’s political participation and representation increase the prerequisites for political content also reflecting the needs and rights girls and women have based on existing power structures.
The number of women in parliaments is increasing
In 2010 the average share of female members in global parliaments was 19 per cent, the highest figure ever. Implementation of quotas is one reason for this increase of women politically participating in countries which cooperate with Sweden. Rwanda established a minimum female member quota of 40 per cent although in 2010 the actual number was 56.3 per cent, a higher figure than Sweden. The Southern African Development Community (SADC) has in its guiding regional development strategy set up indicators which call for those countries having signed the strategy to attain at least 30 per cent female representation in their national parliaments. This lead to 30.7 per cent female membership in Tanzania’s parliament in 2010 compared to 16.4 per cent in 2000 (the majority, however, are elected to seats reserved for women only).
