Women’sPolitical Participation. Latvia

University of Latvia, RigaFeministica LetticaAusma Cimdina

Womens’s Political Participation. Latvia

Theoretical standpointPolitical participation and representation is a

precondition of democracy, sustainable development, social progress, justice and security

Women are under-represented in politics, decision-making and governance

Under-representation of women in politics and decision-making is a waste of social capital

Nature/Culture of Politics in Latvia

Women and the Institution of Family / Family Politics

Public Opinion/ Imagery

Main Research Areas

Share of women among deputies and ministers, % Latvia

1980/82 1985/87 1990 1993/94 1995/97 1998/01 2002 2005

Parliament 34.8 35.4 5.5 15.0 8.0 17.0 20.0 21.0

Municipalities49.2 48.7 35.8 37.5 38.7 41.2

42.3

c. 45.3

of them:

cities18.2 25.4 19.0 21.1

towns20.9 31.9 29.0 31.3

rural districts 41.3 40.6 41.2 43.9

Government 16.7 16.7 13.8 11.8 28.6 25.0 22.2

Female visibility. President of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga

Nature/Culture of Politics

Masculine by definitionNegative definition of politics, especially in Post-

Soviet society“High/hard politics” is considered dirtyWoman is not willing and being able to play

according to the rules of “hard politics”Woman is a site of conflicts and contradictions

managing different social roles (family, motherhood, job, career, politics)

Institutional barriers for women’s participation

Political partiesGender-created discourse of powerPosition, status, influence of woman in political partyMedia Do the media help or hinder?Image is more important than political vision Female politicians are being portrayed on the bases

of stereotypes old and newFamily- family politics, women’s role in family

Conclusions

Women’s under representation in politics and governance may be reducated or eliminated by :

- more purposeful activities towards the media and public opinion- conteracting gender stereotypisation in education - reorganisation of political and policy processesQuotas are not recognized as an instrument for

gender balance implementation

Thank you for your attention!