The role of women in policy-making and decision-making in European national and regional parliaments

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 PHD in student, Department of Political Science, Faculty of Political Science, Shahreza Islamic Azad University, Shahreza, Iran.

2 Associate Professor, Department of Political Science, Faculty of Administrative Sciences and Economics, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran.

Abstract

In today's modern world, one of the most important prerequisites for the development and stability of countries is the optimal use of all human resources, especially understanding the relevance of women's role in social and political affairs. Although equal participation and leadership of women in political and public life is necessary to achieve the goals of sustainable development in the world; However, the available evidence and data indicate that women are underrepresented at all levels of decision-making around the world, and the achievement of gender equality in political and social life is still out of reach. In the meantime, Europe is the only region in the current era that, within the last two decades and in the light of relatively appropriate policies in the field of women, have had this relative opportunity to increase their political participation at the national and regional levels, while trying to increase their competence and credibility. Defend at the highest political, legislative and judicial levels. The present article, by applying the theory of feminism and benefiting from Jones' policy model, tries to answer the central question that the experience of women's presence in the field of policy and decision-making in the European continent, especially in the parliamentary field, refers to what issues and considerations and its output. What dimensions and consequences did it include? The current research was conducted with the aim of investigating the role of women in policy-making and decision-making in European national and regional parliaments. And the research method is qualitative and using library documents and resources.The research findings show that the discussion of gender equality as one of the main indicators of feminism in the European Union has found its real place and women have taken steps on an equal footing with men in political and economic decision-making. In Europe, in the last decade, many women have taken the most important positions of power. This shows that Europe is moving faster in gender equality in the political field. Europe has been pursuing gender equality in a targeted way for years. Therefore, in the field of politics, by paving the way for women, they tried to make the voice of half of the society heard. By assuming executive and legislative positions, women have found an opportunity to show their political expertise and competencies. Women politicians who may have gender biases support policies and policies that remove formal and informal obstacles from their path in order to involve and participate more women and play a role model for the future generation of women provides. The presence of women in the political positions of the presidency, prime minister and ministerial positions, along with the approval of laws such as the abortion law, family support and child protection, women's leave and child care, health and treatment, policies related to workers' compensation and social welfare budget.; Among the determining factors and effective legislative measures, which gradually provided a suitable platform to stabilize the position of women in accepting high political and parliamentary responsibilities.

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References

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Woman in Development & Politics
Volume 21, Issue 3
September 2023
Pages 661-691

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