Introduction
The participation of women in politics in the traditional days was wanting and unfathomable. Women were extensively marginalized, yet under the circumstances they managed to establish themselves and jostle for the few spaces that were available in the political parties. For instance, women were only allowed less than 20% of the seats in the political parties or other outfits. Ideally, the women were condemned to the periphery because of their perceived naivety and lack of insight on certain issues in the society. Women in Party Politics exposes the struggle of women through the party politics in the 1970’s and puts into perspective the cultural propensities that were being pushed in those days. Though the participation of women in politics has been diminished by the stereotypical connotations, it is imperative to enhance equity to enhance the establishment of women party politics
MacKerras et al. (1977) note political party parts did not envisage the rise of women to the upper echelons. As a result, the establishment of women brought into perspective a new dimension on how the women were supposed to be treated. The ‘Australian Institute of Policy and Science’ sponsored this article. The cultural relevance of this article is the fact that it tries to push the agenda of women not just in elective politics but also in political party orientation. In the ancient days, there were stereotypical tendencies that were manifest in vast societies. For instance, it was intimated that women could not venture into elective politics because their responsibilities could not allow them to engage in political practices (MacKerras et al., 1977). Consequently, some noted that women do not vote, and if they do, they are not able to vote for the women. Such notions were popular perceptions in the ancient days, yet they did not provide a proper perspective on the dynamics and engagement of women in political matters.
The article seeks to deconstruct the notion that women are not electable and do not actively participate in political matters. The political biases of the text are that it tries to front women as key components of any political set up, especially in the party politics. This article provides a broad perspective over which some issues can be painted. The article narrates that the women need to be given space in the political arena as a measure allowing them to flourish in that particular jurisdiction (MacKerras et al., 1977). The women, however, decry the attitude of the society towards the women in electoral politics. This article seeks to dismantle the notion that has been perpetuated by many individuals that women are not a cut out for politics.
Even though the magazine does not make an impact on the popular culture where men are dominant, it narrates the challenges that women go through while in politics. The stereotypical tendencies that have compelled the women to the periphery need to be deconstructed as a consequence of increasing the participation of women in party politics. It is imperative to underscore that even though the women have indicated and demonstrated their willingness to engage in politics, their participation has been extensively curtailed (Ford, 2011).
Conclusion
The article puts into perspective the alienation of women in the political affairs of nations, especially in Australia. The text indicates that women have demonstrated their prowess in politics, though they are held back by the stereotypical propensities that affect their progress. The article suggests that there needs to be a paradigm shift, especially how the women are being viewed in terms of their participation politics.
References
Ford, L. E. (2011). Women and politics: The pursuit of equality. Boston: Houghton Mifflin.
MacKerras, M. et al. (1977). ‘Women in Party Politics’. The Australian Quarterly. Vol. 49, No. 3. Pp. 3-66
