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Papers by Jacqui True
United Nations Department of Political Affairs. New York, 2013
Report for United Nations Department of Political Affairs. New York: Social Science Research Coun... more Report for United Nations Department of Political Affairs. New York: Social Science Research Council Conflict Prevention and Peace Forum.
Despite the differences between the four subregions described above, the
entire Asia-Pacific region shares common traits. For example, in all subregions
a strong resistance to women’s participation in public life is evident
in the formal statements of leaders and politicians and in the publicly expressed
attitudes of the broader societies. Cultural, customary, and religious
discourses are frequently used to moralize that the “rightful” place of
women is not in politics. Furthermore, violence against “political” women
who speak up in public, defend human rights, or seek political office is very
common, especially in conflict-affected countries and regions across Asia
and the Pacific. Both that violence and the constant threat of it strongly
dissuade women from participating in public life, let alone seeking political
office.
Although the present discussion has highlighted significant obstacles to
women’s equal political participation in the Asia-Pacific, it has also taken
note of some encouraging signs coming from the region. For example,
women’s mobilization about electoral systems and politics through political
parties, civil society, and church and other religious organizations can build
alternative pathways for their political representation. This is particularly
important when we consider that women’s representation in all of the four
subregions discussed here is below the global average.
United Nations Department of Political Affairs. New York, 2013
Report for United Nations Department of Political Affairs. New York: Social Science Research Coun... more Report for United Nations Department of Political Affairs. New York: Social Science Research Council Conflict Prevention and Peace Forum.
Despite the differences between the four subregions described above, the
entire Asia-Pacific region shares common traits. For example, in all subregions
a strong resistance to women’s participation in public life is evident
in the formal statements of leaders and politicians and in the publicly expressed
attitudes of the broader societies. Cultural, customary, and religious
discourses are frequently used to moralize that the “rightful” place of
women is not in politics. Furthermore, violence against “political” women
who speak up in public, defend human rights, or seek political office is very
common, especially in conflict-affected countries and regions across Asia
and the Pacific. Both that violence and the constant threat of it strongly
dissuade women from participating in public life, let alone seeking political
office.
Although the present discussion has highlighted significant obstacles to
women’s equal political participation in the Asia-Pacific, it has also taken
note of some encouraging signs coming from the region. For example,
women’s mobilization about electoral systems and politics through political
parties, civil society, and church and other religious organizations can build
alternative pathways for their political representation. This is particularly
important when we consider that women’s representation in all of the four
subregions discussed here is below the global average.