Women's Role And Role Of Women In Politics

2145 Words5 Pages

Historically, women have long been faced with gender inequality within the political sphere. The majority of societies worldwide are male dominated and have been throughout their past. Traditionally, women have had little involvement, participation and effect on politics because it has commonly been designated as a male task. In certain countries today, such as Britain and South Africa, government is predominantly made up of men, as a result of the countries inability to shed the tradition of male patriarchy and dominance. The limited acceptance of women in politics in both countries can be attributed to their unique history. In Britain, the tradition of male supremacy is still quite potent, with a limited number of female representatives in almost all sectors of government, including the House of lords and has also been criticized for its apathy concerning changing the role of women in politics (Annesley, Claire, Gains, 2012). Women are still working hard to increase their political participation by growing the number of women in government sectors through legislative action that would force government to meet a certain quota of women in each sub-category of government (Annesley,Claire, Gains, 2012). In South Africa the lack of women in politics, as well as lack of participation can be linked to the gender and societal norms that were enforced under colonial rule and apartheid. During British colonial rule of South Africa, men were given positions of power due to Christian patriarchal customs. This served to cement male dominance, which has made it difficult for women to engage politically in the country today (Longwe, 2000). The march towards gender equality in South Africa requires casting aside long-standing colonial rules th...

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...inking of British society in order to find ways to galvanize the youth and to open the minds of the traditionalists that have allowed male dominated gender roles to exist. In South Africa, the unbalanced gender norms and lack of women’s participation in politics are still a result of the influence of its British colonizers. Unfortunately, these gender norms that promote male dominance in society and in the political spectrum, present during colonial rule, are deeply entrenched in the thinking of South African society. Women in South Africa continue to be marginalized and treated as a subordinate in society and in politics. As a result of this treatment, their will to participate has never been effectively encouraged. Efforts must be made to question and hold society and government responsible for trying to maintain, unequal gender norms and male-dominated politics.

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