Barriers to women’s effective participation in the electoral process
Throughout the electoral
cycle, women can face numerous barriers to their effective participation and
the fulfillment of their electoral rights. Although this is not an exhaustive
list, some of the obstacles that women in different capacities may encounter
during the electoral process can be found below:[1]
As
candidates, political party members and political activists:
- Traditional
gender roles, gender-based stereotypes and discriminatory attitudes and norms.
- The
male-dominated model of politics that tends to undermine the value of women’s
contributions and their participation.
- Lack
of party support and exclusion from decision-making party structures.
- Gender
blind legal framework.
- Unfavorable
electoral systems and lack of TSM.
- Lack
of campaign funds.
- Lack
of financial resources to be considered as meaningful members of political
parties.
- Lack
of formal or political education and limited access to information.
- Lack
of political experience.
- The
dual burden and a disproportionate share of domestic work.
- Lack
of media coverage and gender-based stereotypes and bias in the media.
- In
countries where candidates are responsible for deploying their own party
monitors during Election Day, lack of party monitors safeguarding the interests
of women’s candidatures.
- The
perception of politics as “dirty”.
- Violence
from within and outside the party.
As
voters:
- Traditional gender roles, gender-based
stereotypes and discriminatory attitudes and norms.
- Lack of ID and documentation required for voter
registration, registration centers that are not accessible, near or open in
adequate time and lack of information and awareness about voter registration
procedures.
- Lack of information and awareness about voting,
electoral processes, and overall political rights.
- Insufficient targeted civic and voter education
programs, or lack of access to existing ones.
- Location of polling stations.
- Lack of effective procedures to ensure vote
secrecy.
- Family voting and pressure from family and
community on the exercise of their political rights.
- Invasive identification procedures (for
transgender voters, voters wearing a veil, etc.)
- The perception of politics as “dirty”.
- Violence from within and outside the household
As
electoral administrators:
- Traditional gender roles, gender-based
stereotypes and discriminatory attitudes and norms.
- Lack of representation among EMBs staff,
especially in leadership positions.
- Exclusion from decision-making structures within
the EMB.
- Lack of opportunities for career development.
- Lack of reconciliation measures for personal and
professional life.
- Lack of gender training and sensitization for
electoral staff.
- Lack of internal policies to fight sexual
harassment and bullying within the EMB.
- Violence from within and outside the EMB.
As
civil society representatives (electoral observers, mediators, human rights
defenders, social activists, etc.):
- Traditional gender roles, gender-based
stereotypes and discriminatory attitudes and norms.
- Lack of representation among electoral observers,
mediators, etc.
- Exclusion from decision-making structures within
civil society organizations.
- Violence from within and outside the
organization.
Several models have been
proposed to better understand how these barriers affect women in their
political careers and professional development. Women politicians, as well as
those working in EMBs and other organizations, frequently encounter the “glass
ceiling”, an organizational barrier understood as the “obstacles faced by women
who aspire to hold high positions under equal pay and working conditions […].”
Another organizational barrier is the “glass wall”, consisting of the
horizontal segregation that relegates women to minor roles or denies them
access to certain fields. The “cement ceiling”, a barrier of psychological
nature, refers to women’s refusal to accept leadership positions because they
think it would be difficult to balance personal and work life. Finally, the
“sticky floor” is a cultural barrier that pushes women to deal with domestic
chores and caregiving roles, which hinders their professional development.[1]
From a regional perspective, UNDP’s 2019 “Reference
Guide on Women’s Representation and Political Participation for the Arab
Region” offers a broad overview of the status of women in political life in the
Arab region, the challenges they face and possible strategies and tools put in
place in different countries to promote their participation in politics and
elections.
[2]
[1] Virginia Garcia Beaudoux
(2017): “Dancing Backwards in High Heels: Women, Leadership and Power.”
Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy.
[2] UNDP (2019): “Reference
Guide on Women’s Representation and Political Participation for the Arab
Region.”
