Political discrimination against women refers to the systematic denial of equal participation

and representation in political processes and institutions based on gender.womens are

beings discriminated worldwide. This form of discrimination manifests in various ways:
1.Underrepresentation: Women are significantly underrepresented in political offices and
decision-making bodies globally. Despite some progress, women hold only about 26% of
parliamentary seats worldwide.
Global Data: As of 2023, women hold approximately 26% of parliamentary seats worldwide
.Country Examples:Rwanda has one of the highest representations with women holding 61%
of seats in the lower house of parliament .The United States, despite being a developed
country, has only about 27% of its Congress composed of women .
2.Barriers to Entry: Cultural norms, societal expectations, and gender stereotypes often
discourage women from entering politics. Additionally, women may lack the same access to
resources, networks, and support that men have.For example, in the Middle East and North
Africa, only about 18% of parliamentary seats are held by women, partly due to cultural and
societal barriers .
3.Electoral Discrimination: Women candidates may face biased media coverage, unequal
campaign funding, and electoral systems that disadvantage them. Voters and political parties
may also harbor biases that favor male candidates.➡Media Bias: Studies show that female
candidates receive less media coverage and are often portrayed in a more negative light
compared to their male counterparts. For instance, a study in the UK found that male
politicians receive twice as much coverage as female politicians .➡Campaign Funding: In
the 2020 U.S. elections, female candidates on average raised less money than male
candidates, making it harder for them to compete effectively .
4..Violence and Harassment: Women in politics frequently face gender-based violence and
harassment, both online and offline. This can deter women from participating in political life
and can undermine their effectiveness once in office.
5.Policy Marginalization: Even when women are elected, they may be sidelined in legislative
processes, with their concerns and priorities receiving less attention. Women politicians
often face challenges in influencing major policy decisions.For example, in India, women
occupy less than 10% of ministerial positions, limiting their influence on major policy
decisions .
6.Legal and Institutional Barriers:Discriminatory Laws: In some countries, legal barriers
explicitly limit women's political participation. For instance, in Saudi Arabia, women were only
granted the right to vote and run for office in 2015 .
7.Historical Inequities: The long history of political systems designed and dominated by men
means that institutional practices and norms have been shaped in ways that disadvantage
women. This historical exclusion continues to influence current political dynamics.
8.Social Attitudes and Bias:Voter Bias: Societal biases against women in leadership can
result in fewer votes for female candidates. Studies have shown that both men and women
voters can harbor implicit biases that favor male candidates.Party Bias: Political parties often
prioritize candidates they believe are more likely to win, leading to the selection of male
candidates over equally qualified female ones due to perceived electability.
➡Addressing Political Discrimination:Legal Reforms: 1.Implementing and strictly enforcing
gender quotas can help increase women's representation. Countries like Sweden and
Norway have successfully used quotas to achieve near gender parity in their parliaments.
2.Education and Advocacy: Campaigns to change societal attitudes towards women in
politics are crucial. Organizations like UN Women work globally to promote gender equality
in political participation.
3.Support Systems: Providing training, mentorship, and financial support to aspiring women
politicians can help overcome barriers to entry. Programs like the Women’s Political
Leadership Program by the National Democratic Institute offer essential support.