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A New Year for Women Leaders   
Jan. 9, 2007—When the gavel passed to Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi on Jan. 4, the newly elected Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives became the first woman to lead that chamber in its over 200 years of existence. She will have a lot of company from other women leaders in 2007. There are now more women serving in the U.S. Senate, House and State Legislatures than anytime in the nation’s history. Speaker Pelosi also may have more company around the world. Today, women hold only 17 percent of the seats in national parliaments around the world, according to the Inter-Parliamentary Union. But more than 13 nations will hold national parliamentary elections in 2007, presenting many more opportunities for women to vote, run and lead. Each election is an opportunity to put into effect changes that support women. Studies show that when women become active in politics, they advocate for the rights of children and families. A study in Argentina found that, though holding only 14 percent of parliamentary seats, women parliamentarians brought 78 percent of the bills regarding women and children to the floor. Women also will have the opportunity to increase their ranks among the world’s top leaders. Over 17 countries will hold presidential elections in 2007. Currently, women serve as the heads of only 13 nations, including Chile, Germany, Ireland and The Philippines. Senegal will hold presidential elections Feb. 25 to replace President Abdoulaye Wade, who has held office since 2000. In Nigeria, presidential elections will be held on April 21 to replace President Olusegun Obasanjo, who was the first civilian president since that country emerged from military rule in 1999. Some of the currently scheduled elections around the world are as follows:
Kenya, Laos, Mauritius, Nepal and Syria will also hold presidential elections in 2007.
These elections can bring changes that will improve the lives of women and girls in these countries and around the world. Until women are represented more fully in local, national and international decision-making bodies, their priorities will not receive needed resources. In most of the world, there are barriers that stand in the way of women’s participation in politics. A few of these barriers include a lack of role models, connections, donors, and political institutions that provide the backing necessary for viable candidacy. Overcoming these barriers was recognized as a top priority for countries around the world at the UN Millennium Summit held in 2000. CEDPA works to support women in efforts to exercise their political rights. For example in Nigeria, CEDPA has worked extensively to strengthen Democracy and Governance by mobilizing voters, training election monitors, and increasing women’s capacity to lead. CEDPA mobilized and registered over 750,000 people to vote in that country’s first election, and will be involved in voter education and training for the 2007 election. To read more about CEDPA’s work to support women’s political participation and leadership, visit our Gender and Governance page. |
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