http://worldcat.org/entity/work/id/196736463

Women in Politics: A Global Review. Worldwatch Paper 3

The changing role of women worldwide and its impact on politics, economic development, and social structures is examined. Inadequate education, lack of access to channels of influence, and prejudice generally hamper women in exercising the political rights they are now given by most countries in the world. Priority should be given to those political areas which constitute meaningful exercise of political power, rather than simple, formal political equality, which is already by law extended to all but one-half of one percent of the world's female population. The implication of these findings is that future political development should focus on 1) appointment of women to high-level offices such as cabinet ministries, governorships, and subcabinet posts in not only the "sofe-issue" areas of health, welfare, and social services, but also in the fields of agriculture, planning, commerce, finance, and foreign affairs; 2) consideration of women's qualifications for high political leadership, other than close association with a prominent male politician; 3) a breaking down of the pyramid structure of Civil Service which exists in many countries and is exhibited by an underrepresentation of women in the higher executive and middle-ranking levels; 4) a greater commitment by state and local political units to encourage active participation by women; and 5) more representation by women in all realms of political parties, not just in women's divisions or clubs. It can be concluded that, in spite of prejudice and ignorance, the political status of women is in the process of major and lasting change. (Author/DB).

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