22 DE MARÇO DE 2014

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Maybe we could describe it as an half-democracy, as the access of women to political representation is far

from being fair and balanced.

Parliaments look like mirrors of the political scene on each country. What do we see in these mirrors? We

see that women only represent 21,8 % of the parliamentary seats in the world.

Put your eyes on the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, where each national delegation has

the obligation to include, at a very minimum, one member of the under-represented sex appointed as a

representative. As a result, in the Parliamentary Assembly, women represent 34% of the total number of MPs.

This figure is quite good and encouraging if compared to the situation in certain parliaments in Europe,

where only approximately 23% of members of national parliaments are women.

However, if we consider each European country separately, this average figure of 23% hides in reality a

huge gap between a handful of countries in which women’s representation in parliament exceeds 40%

(Andorra, Finland) and many more countries in which it is under 20% (Malta, Russian Federation), or even

under 10% (Hungary, Ukraine).

Surely, we recognize there is not a single equation and a single solution. There are different paths and

speed are different. But we believe, as Mrs. Stavrositu emphasizes in her relevant report, the bottom neck, this

glass ceiling, lives in the heart of most of the existing political parties in Europe.

Yes! Quotas might be decisive. But we have to say there are countries without imposed quotas scoring the

highest women’s participation, and countries with quotas who did not achieved the objective of greater gender

equality in the political spectrum.

Quotas might not be indispensable, or even might not be sufficient in need of other complementary

measures.

There are voluntary quotas assumed by political parties, and quotas imposed by law.

We find weak sanctions, such as fines, and radical sanctions, as exclusion from electoral process.

We have weak incentives, as additional subsidies, but let me tell how much I have this conviction that the

strongest incentive of all could be additional broadcasting time during electoral campaigns for the parties that

achieve the best level of gender balance in their lists of candidates.

But the major problem is inside political parties. A lot of good practices could inspire them to run to the

Gender Equality Prize created by this Assembly, starting by changing their candidate selection bodies, usually

controlled by men, tending to choose other men.

Political parties need to attract more women to politics, giving them the opportunity to be protagonists in

equal opportunities such as men.

Women can be promoted by political parties, by creating internal women’s structures, developing mentoring

and training programs, improving women’s media skills, sharing broadcasting time during campaigns and

reconciling political activities with family responsabilities.

Formal commitments by political parties regarding gender equality are important but not enough. Political

leaders might play a relevant role on gender mainstreaming their camps.

I do believe talent has no gender, as intelligence has no gender. But equality of opportunities is far from

being achieved by political parties. Imagine how much it could be different.

Maybe one day, sooner than later, imagination might come true. And half-democracy could become a full

democracy.

A DIVISÃO DE REDAÇÃO E APOIO AUDIOVISUAL.