Challenging the status quo

World War One played a significant part in developing women's political rights - so it is frequently assumed. However, World War One may well have stymied the drive by women to gain political rights or its part may have been overstated. 

The picture on the right shows a female African leader making a pledge at  Inaugural 

 The women of today want to play an equal political role in any country.Politics in modern societies are linked to both gender and class and  it is important to note that male chauvinism in African societies limits opportunity to study about women in politics.

 The political participation of women tends to be erratic, informal and organized around men with whom they are connected in socially legitimate ways.For example,the  leadership of the Sudanese Women’s Union was appointed by the male-run Central Committee of the Sudanese Communist Party. Palestinian women activists in the various revolutionary organizations take orders from their male-dominated leadership.

Some gender activists also argue that quotas may constitute a "glass ceiling" beyond which women cannot go unless they engage in additional struggle. - See more at: http://www.un.org/africarenewal/magazine/april-2004/women-break-african-politics#sthash.OzpYGUca.dpuf

 We need to  need to see the character of women’s political participation in a cultural and historical context

According to Ms. Birgitta Dahl, a Swedish parliamentarian, "Political parties, the educational system, non-governmental organizations, trade unions, churches - all must take responsibility within their own organization to systematically promote women's participation, from the bottom up." - See more at: http://www.un.org/africarenewal/magazine/april-2004/women-break-african-politics#sthash.OzpYGUca.dpuf

The fact that Iranian women gained legitimacy for their participation from the clergy, and most acted in the name of religion during the revolution, has meant that with the success of an Islamic revolution women are subjected to the clergy’s definitions of what is appropriate political -- and non-political -- behavior.

South Africa is not far behind, ranking eighth in the world, with women taking 42% of Parliament’s seats, almost double the rate in 1994 when the ruling African National Congress (ANC) created a voluntary party quota, allocating 30% of posts to women. And they run some of the country’s grandest ministries, such as home, defence and foreign affairs. The central bank governor is a woman, too.

According to some critics like Eleanor Roosevelt ,men play politics a little more like a game. With the men, it becomes a serious occupation for a few weeks before election; whereas women look upon it as a serious matter year in and year out. It is associated with their patriotism and their duty to their country. This shows us that women have the potential to perform much better than men in issues of politics.

ccording to Ms. Birgitta Dahl, a Swedish parliamentarian, "Political parties, the educational system, non-governmental organizations, trade unions, churches - all must take responsibility within their own organization to systematically promote women's participation, from the bottom up." - See more at: http://www.un.org/africarenewal/magazine/april-2004/women-break-african-politics#sthash.OzpYGUca.dpuf