This was a lively panel, and the level of interest and energy in the room was high. Government delegates and members of civil society addressed the serious need for great representation of women in policy and decision making, calling for more effective participation, collaboration, networking and partnering. Women's political engagement brings idea leadership as we share knowledge and policy solutions that work. The obstacles women face include gender stereotypes, unpaid care work, unequal distribution of household responsibilities, and anti-gender groups. These are international phenomena so we need to join efforts at international level to destroy structural barriers to mainstream gender equality. Institutional mechanisms are needed: a person responsible for gender equality in every ministry. Women in political leadership will passing more laws which promote gender equality and against gender based violence.
The civil society representative from the European Women's Lobby, the largest women’s human rights organization in the EU, said that parity democracy goes a step further than quotas. Women are more than 50% of population, so there should be at least 50% women in government. In economic decision making, women are only 27% of board members of the largest corporations. This under-representation is a product of gender stereotypes norms and social roles, the messages we receive since childhood in media, in schools.
Participation in political decision making is a woman’s human right. CEDAW is the legally binding standard we must adhere to; states must make all possible efforts to foster participation of women in elections, women voting and voting for other women. There are mechanisms through CEDAW to hold non-compliant governments accountable. They should promote NGOs and associations that support women’s rights. Women’s organizations need long-term funding, especially in times of pushback against women's rights. Some governments do recognize the importance of civil society, bringing together organizations working on issues such as violence against women. To be most effective, different partners should do what they are best at. Civil society should keep up the pressure on governements, and hold them accountable.
Sisterhood means finding space to reinforce each other. We want to see and live equality in our lifetimes.