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| The ICPD Programme of Action stated that
countries should act to empower women as soon as possible by establishing mechanisms for
their equitable representation at all levels of the political process and in public life. Women constitute more than half of the electorate in almost all countries where democratic elections are held and have demonstrated leadership and a distinctive approach to decision-making. Nonetheless, both the judicial and legislative branches of government remain dominated by men. Worldwide, men make up the majority of individuals who pass, interpret and enforce laws. Many of these laws -- such as those related to violence against women, women's rights to own or inherit property, to divorce, to engage in commercial transactions and to numerous other issues -- are key to women's empowerment. Even within the United Nations, women continue to work at lower levels than men. In 1994, only 20 per cent of the 182-Member General Assembly was comprised of women; women hold only 32 per cent o professional posts at the United Nations. Since 1946, there have been only 24 female heads of state or government, although there were more at the end of 1994 than ever before. The percentage of women in parliamentary positions remains low: In 1994, the average percentage of women in the upper chambers of the world's parliaments was less than 9 per cent. The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) had been ratified by 138 countries as of November 1994. These countries have thereby declared their intention to work towards equal rights in all fields and their opposition to any discrimination, exclusion or restriction made on the basis of sex. Unfortunately, real change is slow to follow ratification -- and even ratification is far from universal. Men's role in improving the situation is clear: As leaders of government, legislators and judges, they can ensure that the CEDAW is not only ratified, but acted on, and that laws are enacted and enforced that are not only unbiased based on gender but that actively promote women's empowerment. They can also work to reduce male dominance of the political sector. Women's involvement in politics and the judiciary will benefit both women and society as a whole. |
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