2021-12-04
Women to Men - Political Participation and Underlying Patriarchy
I have been following politics closely for at least a couple of years now and there has been a very concerning phenomenon that I noticed, notice and will notice in the political structure of almost all the countries. A lot of us men and women walk past the patriarchal society we live in. And the few who talk about it either get suppressed, go unnoticed or termed "feminists" easily and that just reduces their statement to be uncommon thereby demeaning its importance. Still, I will be portraying several aspects of patriarchy that exists at macro and micro levels in different sections of the society in this series of Blogs.
In this Blog, I would like to bring across some facts that blatantly will bring about my view without me having to explain. In this modern world, Politics is one common existence that is common to almost all the countries. The political core could vary across every country - some of them follow Democracy, some Monarchy and more. But there will invariably exist a political structure that is responsible to create laws, make amendments and enable people's development. Let us get to some statistics now showing something that is common in every country's political structure.
United States of America
Overall across the world:
I could carry the list on and on but it only worsens the fact. Pretty much any developed country amidst all their differences, have a common agenda. Under representation of Women in Politics. The statistics are so pathetic that there is no hopeful change possible in the near future to overturn this mismatch. The numbers above are about as latest as possible. The even more worrying part here is that the number of women holding seats in their country's Parliaments has nearly doubled in the last three decades. The World Average for Women holding seats in Parliament is 24% (Compared to 12% in 1990). With all the modernization and the need to feel equal greater than ever before, this rate of increase is not sufficient. Voices have to get louder ad louder from both men and women. This should not come from just feminist groups or a specific sect of people. Common public of every country should bring up this issue in as little way as possible. It is quintessential to start this change at the grassroots. At you workplace, at school, at a large scale industry, in politics, in a regular household. This is not just a numbers game. Equal representation is critical in ensuring equality among people and in turn pave way for a better developed society in general. From a personal view point, I believe there are several different sections of patriarchy that has infiltrated in the world from ancient times. Some mislead by the name of religion, some by power, some by practice and some just because it is common. I really hope common men and women become more vocal to eradicate this and drop their small bit to the fire that is long overdue to burn out. Share or add to this thought / blog / point of view.
- Members of Congress - 435 | Men - 333 | Women - 102
- Members of Senate - 100 | Men - 75 | Women - 25
- Overall Population - Men - 49.2 % | Women - 50.8 %
- House of Commons - 338 | Men - 250 | Women - 88
- Members of Senate - 105 | Men - 59 | Women - 45
- Overall Population - Men - 49.6 % | Women - 50.4 %
- House of Commons - 650 | Men - 442 | Women - 208
- Overall Population - Men - 49.3 % | Women 50.7 %
- Members of Parliament - 543 | Men - 477 | Women - 66 :-(
- Overall Population - Men - 51.47 % | Women - 48.53 %
Overall across the world:
- Number of countries with over 50 % of women in their major political body = 3
- Number of countries over 40 % of women in their major political body = 13
- Number of developed countries with over 40% of women in their major political body = 0
I could carry the list on and on but it only worsens the fact. Pretty much any developed country amidst all their differences, have a common agenda. Under representation of Women in Politics. The statistics are so pathetic that there is no hopeful change possible in the near future to overturn this mismatch. The numbers above are about as latest as possible. The even more worrying part here is that the number of women holding seats in their country's Parliaments has nearly doubled in the last three decades. The World Average for Women holding seats in Parliament is 24% (Compared to 12% in 1990). With all the modernization and the need to feel equal greater than ever before, this rate of increase is not sufficient. Voices have to get louder ad louder from both men and women. This should not come from just feminist groups or a specific sect of people. Common public of every country should bring up this issue in as little way as possible. It is quintessential to start this change at the grassroots. At you workplace, at school, at a large scale industry, in politics, in a regular household. This is not just a numbers game. Equal representation is critical in ensuring equality among people and in turn pave way for a better developed society in general. From a personal view point, I believe there are several different sections of patriarchy that has infiltrated in the world from ancient times. Some mislead by the name of religion, some by power, some by practice and some just because it is common. I really hope common men and women become more vocal to eradicate this and drop their small bit to the fire that is long overdue to burn out. Share or add to this thought / blog / point of view.