VIEW FROM THE CPA CHAIRPERSON
WOMEN AND POLITICS
View from the CPA Chairperson
As democracies evolve throughout history, there has been a growing call for political participation for all genders, races and social class. The inclusion of women in the political sphere and growth of democracies either through conventional means of participation such as running for office, unconventional ways such as sit-ins and participation at rallies or even on descriptive or substantive bases of participation, though very vital, has been sidelined. These and more have engendered a continuous debate on the issue. All over the globe, though women are continuously breaking through this glass ceiling, their voices are still not heard. In Parliament and in the realms of policy making, women are still being
stereotyped in many ways including the gender distribution of labour as women are often placed in female-related roles and Committees. To enhance the democratization of governance in transitional and consolidated democracies, it is pivotal that gender equality (especially with regards to the inclusion of women) is put at the forefront of the political agenda. We all do agree that political activities require time, money and a lot of sacrifice and which many women are ready to make. However, access to financial resources is a major setback for women. Hon. Emilia Monjowa Lifaka, There are very few programs designed at the level MP, Chairperson of the CPA of governments and by financial institutions to Executive Committee and Deputy Speaker of the National provide financing for women and also, women do not have the collateral to access loans from financial Assembly of Cameroon institutions. In addition, women because of gender bias have a greater workload within the family and no economic or financial value is attached to this. As an Association, the CPA will work in close collaboration with different legislatures across the Commonwealth to encourage Parliaments to hold their respective governments to account, to mainstream gender into public policy making because the absence of clear gender policies give room for misinterpretation, and to combat discrimination, which if clearly defined will foster gender equality and gender balance. Political will is required, not only to ratify the international conventions relating to the advancement of women but to actually put in place the legal instruments for its implementation. We shall also encourage our governments to create a national organ (through an ombudsman) to monitor the implementation and mainstreaming of gender policies at the local and national levels. From a ‘fish-eye’ viewpoint, the inclusion of women across the board, in general and in Parliament, in particular, serves not just as a bridge connecting young women to a more assured future where the sky is the limit, but also as a conscious awakening to solving issues faced in today’s society. First, given that the ratio of women to men in leadership positions is 10:1 within today’s population, it is but befitting that women play an increased role in making decisions which affect them.
“As democracies evolve throughout history, there has been a growing call for political participation for all genders, races and social class. The inclusion of women in the political sphere and growth of democracies either through conventional means of participation such as running for office, unconventional ways such as sit-ins and participation at rallies or even on descriptive or substantive bases of participation, though very vital, has been sidelined. These and more have engendered a continuous debate on the issue.” 86 | The Parliamentarian | 2018: Issue Two