Question 1
As far as empowerment of women in the field of politics is concerned, Spain is one of the countries that were pioneers. From the 1990’s the number of women in parliament increased to 55 in the 1993-1996 government. This was approximately 16% of the members of parliament in congress. This was a significant increase, compared to percentages as low as 6% in the 1970’s. Their numbers and representation in the senate has also increased markedly over time. Women also became more participative in the community parliaments that were held at the local level. The long dictatorship of General Francisco Franco had brought strict rules that did not favor the freedom of women living in Spain. This included strict catholic laws that became enforceable countrywide under the dictator’s rule.
However, once women started getting roles in positions of government, after the dictator’s death, all this changed. This included legalization of abortion and divorce. Initially, women were not employable and hence that meant that they could not have a job. They were reduced to mere homemakers under the control of their husbands entirely. Education was another privilege that women did not enjoy. The representation of women in politics has allowed them to express their views on various issues affecting them. Laws have changed in their favor and their empowerment has allowed for women in Spain to enjoy equal rights and freedoms as their male counterparts. This has enabled women to become a major part of the workforce in the country, as high as 40%. Globalization had a major role to play in the enablement of women and their involvement in active politics (Kershaw & Kimyongür, 2007). In 2004, Spain had its first woman vice president. At the same time, there was an appointment of equal numbers of men and women into the cabinet.
Question 2
The European Union, like many other corporate organizations is bound by challenges of gender imbalance as far fair representation of both genders is concerned. The union in its effort at encouraging the inclusion of women in top levels of management passed legislation to that effect. This was through the European Parliament that passed these legislative measures to be followed by member states. In 2011, several states, including Italy and France, enacted legislative measures in line with those passed by the European Parliament. This would help improve the representation of women in top levels of management including the boards of firms.
The European Union ensured that it practiced what it purported by introduction of strategies aimed at inclusion of women in the decision-making process of the E.U. This was through having a woman for the position of vice president of the E.U. The E.U hopes that its initiative will accomplish a representation of at least 30% by the year 2015 with a progressive increase onwards.
Statistics show that more than half of Europe’s graduates are women and hence there is a need to ensure that are included in positions that allow them to be involved in decision-making since they are technically equipped to do so. Failure to do so would result in underutilization of their talent. The current statistics show that over 45% of the persons employed across the E.U are women. However, over 55% of the persons with tertiary education are women. This discrepancy is what the E.U hopes will be resolved in the future.
Question 3
As concerns the representation of women, Europe is miles ahead of Africa. In Europe, women have risen to great positions of leadership (Threlfall, 1996). This includes the position of vice president and a 50-50 appropriation of gender roles in most cabinets in Europe. In Sub-Saharan Africa, women have not risen to such high ranks. However, many African countries have made constitutional changes to ensure that women hold at least a third of the public or political offices. This is a positive move towards the empowerment of women. Cultural beliefs about the male ego prevent most citizens, including women, from voting for women representatives. This is the most influential factor in determining the acceptance of women as competent leaders. This comprises of a cultural isomorphism and even legislation has little effect in changing people’s perceptions.
Modernization, and its effect through education, is expected to enlighten people on the importance of gender equity. However, this is where the European Union and Sub-Saharan Africa differ. In Europe, the effect of culture is significantly weaker than that in Africa since do not have a diverse and rich sense of culture and ethnic practice. Furthermore, education became readily available at an earlier period hence making these countries to be more competent in being aware of the importance of women in politics (Fallon, 2008).
Researchers say that it will still take time before any country in Africa allows a woman to take the highest position of leadership- president. They are yet to overcome ethnic differences and its influence on politics. Empowering women to such high levels may take a longer period than it will in the European region.
References
Threlfall, M. (1996). Mapping the women's movement: Feminist politics and social
transformation in the North. New York: Verso.
Fallon, K. M. (2008). Democracy and the rise of women's movements in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press.
Kershaw, A., & Kimyongür, A. (2007). Women in Europe between the wars: Politics, culture
and society. Aldershot, Hants, England: Ashgate.
