On air: Why aren't there more women in politics?

Women And Politics in Islam

Absolutely.He gave Islam women through treatment with a mother or sister or wife or daughter of their full rights and impose obligations on it, so that these women in word and deed a Muslim woman in every sense of the word and so these Muslim women in word and deed a member of a useful and beneficial and thus complements the tender human for a Muslim woman.

The participation of women in political affairs large in Islamic history where the mosque is a house of the Consultative Assembly, the women were attending the mosque and participate in the opinion and advice, as women have participated in the migration and the pledge of allegiance, and the victory of Islam and defend it and say in peace and war and all things political

At this point in history, politics is an agressive occupation - who beats whom, who wins the war...
I suspect that women don't choose politics for the same reason that most of our architecture must be the tallest, the biggest. There appears little room in our society for "rounded" building or well-rounded, softer negotiations.
The female exceptions like Thatcher and Golda Meir were aggressive politians; they fit easily into a man's world.
Consider this:
Two female leaders - one from India and one from Paskistan (Forget about American interference for now, or better still - a female American President.) Is it more likely or less likely that a peaceful relationship, even a friendly relationship will be negotiated under these female leaders, including a resolution for Kashmir?

We've had more minorities and women in parliament after we ditched first past the post and moved to a proportional system (MMP in our case).

I believe there is still prejedical attitudes about men and women. For example Olwyn Enright's quote would be unexpected had it come from her husband (who does the same job and has the same young family).

"With a young family, I will not be in the position to give the enormous commitment required and that my constituents deserve."

Unless the children are so young that they need to be breastfed, this ought to be equally true of both husband and wife. But it is curious that is the wife that left her job and not the husband.

QUotas are the answer where there is a strong cultural disincentive for women to enter politics. I don't think this exists in the US or many places in the West. It does however exist in India.

If women have difficulty in doing certain jobs because of conflicts that arise with child rearing, then my suggestion would be, to women interested in those jobs, either have kids when you're very young, so they are grown enough to be more independent when the job demands become too much, or don't have kids at all.

After all, it's not like this planet needs the population to grow, is it? No denying that bringing up children and having a job that keeps you out of the house for long periuods of time may be incompatible activities.

The men are overriding politics in the world and this sometimes scare the women because women always want something which is quite flexible and they are very transparent which is the opposite of the men!This really gives a big challenge to the women that was in former times but now the trend has changed totally!A lot of women are going into politics because they have noticed the strategies can really help them go in.If for instance a woman who is very competent and skilled is involved in politics, she will will be able to identify most problems which sometimes the men will ignore!I belive strongly that every person should be a politician so that we can move our country forward in the right direction because everything that goes on in a particular country has its bedrock on politics!So why don't we all understand "politics" in a very broad way to effect changes in the political setting?

"Why aren't there more women in politics"

Because most of the smart ones aren't attention starved, self serving ego maniacs. Because most of the smart ones have a life and don't feel the need to interject themselves in everyone elses life.
Because most of the smart ones are modest and honest.

I'm curious what the various leftist solutions to this problem should be. Should more women be forced to enter politics? Should voters be forced to vote for women?

Does any of that sound democratic to you?

Just look how useless politicians are, and then look at how much worse the women in there are....prime examples...Harman and May.

Then you will have your answer. Can't wait to see which women Labour dredge up for their shadow of a Shadow Cabinet...

7. At 2:12pm on 27 Sep 2010, steve wrote:
I'm curious what the various leftist solutions to this problem should be. Should more women be forced to enter politics? Should voters be forced to vote for women?

Does any of that sound democratic to you?
......................................................................
You seem to be putting words into the mouths of 'leftists' and then deriding them for it.

Perhaps you should wait for an opinion before slating it.

I think it is down to attidue, both amongst fellow politicians and the general public (male and female). Unfortunately such entrenched opinions don't change quickly, but I would be very annoyed and disappointed if there was a forced policy of reserving spaces for women.

I consider myself left of centre and this seems absolutely the wrong thing to do. Women have helped themselves over the last century to positions of power, to abuse the system in such a way would be an insult to all those who battled prejudice to bring about progess.

@ Suzie

I'm not the one who posed the question here. It says there are not enough women in politics. Wouldn't that mean that a solution is sought? What possible solutions could you have for this given in a democracy you cannot force people to run for office that do not want to nor can you force people to vote for who they do not want to. So what are the possible solutions besides forcing more women to run, or telling people they have to vote a certain way?

Would it be deomcratic to telll people that the legislative body has to be at least 50% female thus possible restricting people from voting for who they might have wanted to vote for due to some kind of quota?

Is that democratic?

or perhaps can you provide some alternatives since a solution is sought by merely having raised this question. What is your "Solution" to this problem?

Be serious,women have to much on their plates.What with the cleaning cooking and doing the washing up,to get involved in politics.

What percentage of our politicians come from the old boys school Eton?

It's not what you know it's who you know.

This will most likely get moderated and yet it should be considered because it is relevant.

Consider: Female President of the USA + THREAT + PMT = Armageddon

Women and men do not share equally in the responsibilities or benefits of society. Participation in government is an important manifestation of this; but it isn’t the only one. Excellent examples exist in organized religions, business, social clubs, sports, automobile driving, education, and child rearing. I’m a man; but not a silly enough one to suggest whether women should be happy or unhappy about this. Also, I’d like to say I’ve good explanations for the inequities; but I don’t. Either most people are comfortable with the current situation or insufficient societal stress exists to cause a change. Artificial means (specifying quotas) aren’t the answer because they always produce artificial (non-equilibrium) results. A paraphrase of Gandhi’s advice is probably best: ” “Be the change you wish to see in government.”
g

Could there be a simple reason why there are less women in politics like 'less women WANT to be politicians'? Its a fairly nasty business and most women who HAVE made it in politics have been extremely tough: who'd pick a fight with Mrs T or Hilary Clinton?.

For that reason I always laugh when people say the world would be peaceful is it was run by women. Mrs T, Golda Meir, Mrs Ghandi etc were all more than capable of going to war when it suited. Look at Britain's most famous female leaders before Maggie: Boudicca slaughtered the Romans, Elizabeth I butchered the Spanish and Queen Victoria oversaw Britain conquering 1/3rd of the world. Real peacenicks.

What to be done is simply allow people to do as they wish. Of course we should encourage women, but in reality everybody, to enter into public service. Being an elected official is a tough job, and privacy becomes non existent, which is the primary reason I would never consider running for office for any reason. Many of the women that I know are very private about their families, so would feel like I do. I don't agree that anyone, woman or man, should "have to choose" between career or family, but if one wants both a career and family then that person is obliged to think long term, and have most of the bits worked out before entering into the arena. If more women were interested in public service, you would see more, and you do see a steady increase in women in politics. I don't know where the US falls on the list of countries who have the most women in politics, but we are electing more women from all backgrounds (liberal, conservative and moderate) more and more. Patience is key for those who want to see more women in office.

Q. Why aren't there more women in politics?

A. Margaret Thatcher

I like JamesIan's point. This really is asking, why aren't there more women with personality disorders seeking political office?

Policians are narcissists. Do we really want more? Does it really matter if there is equality amongst the mentally ill who crave power?

Mrs THATCHER BROUGHT DOWN BY A CABAL OF POWER CRAZY GUTLESS MEN.WHO WAS THE ONLY PM TO SHOW THE PEOPLE OF THIS COUNTRY THE TRUTH.IF YOU AINT GOT IT YOU CANNOT SPEND IT.HAVING TURNED A DEAF EAR TO THIS ADVICE AND LISTENED TO THE VOICES.OF NANNY STATE CAN DO EVERYTHING FOR YOU.THATS IF YOU GIVE THEM MOST OF YOUR MONEY.HERE WE ARE BANCRUPT AND WITH A LOAD OF CARDBOARD CUTOUTS WHO HAVE NEVER HAD A PROPER JOB IN THEIR LIVES.NO WOMEN COULD HAVE MADE A SHAMBLES OF A ONCE GREAT COUNTRY AS THE MALE POLITICAL CLASS HAS.ALONG WITH A DOPY DISPIRITED BELIEVE ANYTHING PUBLIC OF TODAY.

"Why aren't there more women in politics?"

Disinterest
Preferring a lower key career
Not wanting a career in the first place

There could be hundreds of reasons. That fact of the matter is that creating tokenism to force an exact mix of men and women does more harm than good. Would you rather be thought of as someone who has got to where they are because they are good enough or is there to make up the quota? Add to the fact that 'quota fillers' are viewed as someone who is there for political reasons (sic) rather than because they are the best choice for the job and you lose all credibility. Sometimes it is a disaster as it leads to many more problems like putting someone in charge of something they are not equipped or capable of handling, etc.

Before the overreactionists jump on board and try to shoot me down by labelling me as sexist, hear me out. There ARE women out there who are the best for the job. There ARE things that women can do better than men (and vice versa). Quotas and 'women only' shortlists just create the impression that they are not good enough so have to have all competition taken out of their way artificially which is, frankly, insulting to those who have worked hard to get where they are today - both men AND women!

I'm afraid that Harriet Harman (or Harriet Harm-Man as she has been called) has created institutional sexism with her implementation of what I can only describe as sexist and racist 'equality laws'. It's a joke. In order to fall under the banner of equality, you have to be both sexist and racist to meet quotas. So hypocritical!

Why do that when you can have a Trophy Husband(WAG) or Trophy Baby instead ??

A lot of the women in politics are a much of a muchness ??

I definitely think more women should be involved in politics. The UK is behind other western countries, particularly with respect to Scandinavian countries and the United States.

It is difficult and I appreciate the difficulties female MPs have faced.

I find quota systems and positive discrimination, e.g. all women short lists, difficult to take, but I think it does help flood the system with capable women.

Then, once you have at least 1/3 of the legislative body being women, women can change the system to be more female and family friendly. The current UK system makes it hard to be a mother and an MP.

I'm at that age where family isn't an issue, so maybe I should run! :-)

Also, I just want to say I have been dismayed by the misogynist attitudes towards female candidates in the US. People like Hillary Clinton and Sarah Palin have faced a lot of sexist comments in the media and by bloggers. That needs to change. Comments made against these women would never be tolerated if they were made about people of a different race. But somehow it's okay if it's a woman.

I am a feminist and would like to see more women in positions of power in the different political parties in the UK. The Coalition Government is very male-dominated.

There are sooooo many reasons why the women are not predominate in politics worldwide. From simply many places women are either bared from voting or it isn't socially promoted. To women not choosing to enter the field or leaving politics before they achieve notoriety. One reality is fathers are the leaders of families, supplying financial support and security. Since that is what we want from our leaders, we often envision our fathers when voting. Boys grow up playing games of war and strategy. Girls are taught to nurture and comfort.

The real question is to ask, "why are there not more girls in chess club, debate teams, football, accounting, law school, or news anchors." These are the types of activities and occupations that lead to politics.

And then there is Sarah Palin, who did more damage to the image of women in politics in 6 months then ever will be fully realized. She keeps opening her mouth and confirming the stereotypes.

Politics works through connections, money and selling out to influential backers. Traditionally politics was male-only, the majority of the rich are male, and so the connections and influences are still male-dominated.
If politics was an open contest to determine the best person who can contribute to running and developing the country, then there would probably be a more even mix.
The first problem is politics itself.

20. At 3:51pm on 27 Sep 2010, RON HUTCH wrote:
Mrs THATCHER BROUGHT DOWN BY A CABAL OF POWER CRAZY GUTLESS MEN.WHO WAS THE ONLY PM TO SHOW THE PEOPLE OF THIS COUNTRY THE TRUTH.IF YOU AINT GOT IT YOU CANNOT SPEND IT

Which planet did that happen on? On Earth Thatcher lost her leadership because when Redwood called the vote of no confidence rather than canvas like hell she went to Germany. She also appointed morons to fight her corner.

As for showing us 'if you aint got it you cannot spend it': she oversaw the worst excesses of the city, had two vicious recessions and by flogging the council houses off cheap encouraged an insane property price surge which when it burst left tens of thousands in negative equity with 15% morgage rates!

I do hope people here realize that demanding quotas for elected office is iherently undemocratic. Right?

The difference in the UK is that with a parliamentary system, you can only have ministers who are elected officials. In the US, Department heads are appointed officials. The voters don't get to elect them. And it would honestly frighten me if people started advocating that for our representatives, we have to vote for at least 50% women or any other group. That's absolutely frightening.

harriet harman

if political women are the same as her then i hope to god none get it.

however if a woman would like to prove there not im all for it because harman cannot possibly be the best woman to potentially lead the country i mean cmon shes a moron! some of the things she says are like watching a squating dog

I can only speak for myself, we've got more interesting, more fun, and/or more important things to do.

Women are lazy and have little or no influence at all, they cant strongly stand and fight as men do.They wait for reserved seats in the name of gender balance.In Kenya; my country, this lazy gender always attribute their inability and laziness to their male counterparts who help them to achieve what they want.In fact in the recently approved and promulgated constitution(Which I deeply regret its approval), these ever complaining women have been given free seats in both parliament and senate with assurances of affirmative action if that will not do.As if that's not enough, political parties are obligated to nominate them if their numbers would still not be more than one third.. This is an indication that they are absolutely incapable and they should accept it.
When we try to point out their obvious weakness, they would term you sexist, chauvinist,African man minded e.t.c. What is happening in Britain would save the African men from constant accusation that they have no place for women; its not that there's no place for them, they are the people who do their work lazily,grudgingly and have no power to persuade or influence people.
its not that the women who hold high positions in the world today are deserving by merit, very able and deserving men were left out deliberately to just balance gender
my proposal is to split all the seats and positions into half, then women will contest separately as men ONLY fight for the other half, otherwise Gender balance is an illusion and we shouldn't be talking about it.

It’s always been an age old problem since women have had to catch up from inception of society but with many more being educated and given equal opportunities in some societies, women have progressed. Essentially, it will take some time for women to get there. It is the same argument about why there are fewer women in the Boardrooms? It is mostly down to personal reasons coupled with barriers to entry and difficulties faced by demands. However, I'll take myself as an example of someone who, given my interest in politics and society is capable of making tremendous contribution and a difference but chose not to go into party politics which I can't stand because of the nature of party politics which is about party allegiance, factions, soap operas, untruths, lies, fabrications and utter disrespect for voters. Rather than doing the right things for the right reasons and for the benefit of society and not just for the party. My husband, friends and colleagues have all told me that I would do very well in politics but do I really want to go into it with the all the circus that goes with it? If you stand for the truth, honesty and with very high integrity and ideals, it is going to be a very difficult decision to want to go into politics. Hopefully, the way politics is done will change in time as more accountability is demanded and expected form Politicians with many more wanting to join to make a real difference and not just in it for themselves and what they can get out of it. Until recently, it’s has been PLAIN OLD DIRTY POLITICS and one is better standing as an INDEPENDENT with a mind of one’s own and standing up for what is right, just and fair.

One look at the men in politics is enough to put any sensible woman off! Grey people lacking in passion, depth, honour, integrity or even self belief.

One look at the women in politics confirms it is not a place for lively minds, with one or two exceptions. Look at what is happening in the US with the Tea Party darlings and Sara Palin. Anyone would think they didn't have more brains than most of the men in their parties put together. It is too easy to shoot women down instead of allowing them to develop their own political roles.

Peter_Sym wrote:
Could there be a simple reason why there are less women in politics like 'less women WANT to be politicians'?


It's a possibility but I'd also say that most women never even get onto the first step of their political career because of the way our constituencies select candidates for elections.

I used to be a member of our local constituency committee and the only people who would ever get approved as candidates were middle aged men who happened to be the golfing partners of the other middle aged men who made up most of the constituencies executive committee. If you weren't "one of them" you had very little chance of being selected and even if you got past that phase of the selection process you were almost guaranteed to be beaten by the middle aged man you were running against for the candidature.

As with many other aspects in life; it's not how good you are, it's how good a friend you are to the people making the decisions and if most of the people making the decisions are middle aged men then it's hardly surprising that most of the candidates they select are also middle aged men.

Admittedly I left the committee in disgust many years ago and things could well have improved since then, although from the candidates they've put up for election in our area since I left I very much doubt it !

The reason there are not more female politicians in westminster is because of Thatcher It made women look at themselves and politics and they realised they didnt want to be tarred with the same brush.
We all thought Harriet Harmen was going to run for leader of the Labour Party but she didnt but judging by the way she handled PMQs it is a loss to this country both as a leader and to undo some of the damage Thatcher did to the female electorate and I am a male

13. At 3:29pm on 27 Sep 2010, Charlie Patey wrote:

What percentage of our politicians come from the old boys school Eton?

It's not what you know it's who you know.

Actually in my experience of politicians I tend to find they're generally misfits as opposed to 'old boys'. It genuinely is one occupation that anyone with a strong-enough will can get into. You just have to be completely bloody-minded, stubborn, thick-skinned and in most cases a bit thick to make it as an MP.

Well I think Ed Milliband is rubbish, he's . . .
Oops, sorry, wrong HYS page.

Ah, the meek shall inherit the Earth.
If the strong let them.
Whatever became of Mrs T?

I love to see more female politicians.

The best one out there is Tania Derveaux!

More women like her, please.

I have a feeling this is just another example of feminists demanding equality only at the top. Recall in other news, those chilean miners trapped for weeks? Notice they are all men? Why aren't feminists demanding equality for undesirable and dangerous jobs like that?

When you demand equality only in the top positions, you are in essence, seeking out special privileges, and not equality

Simple answer - If your good enough it doesn't matter if your male, female, LGBT or of any race/religion!

Some just are not interested, live with it.

Thank you for the invitation to voice an opinion on women in politics.
At present, there are three women in the Government of Lithuania: the President Dalia Grybauskaite, the Chairman of the Seimas (Parliament) Irena Degutiene and the Minister of Defense Rasa Jukneviciene. Kazimiera Prunskiene, once a Prime Minister who resigned, is also a member of the Seimas. Although their ratings are fairly high, I do not have a strong impression of them. It seems to me they have certain relations and they keep up a satisfactory state for themselves. There has been a recent brief from the Experts EU in Lithuania who claimed that the President supports corrupt relations among the judges and lawyers. I have considered the opportunity of service in politics but nobody ever addressed me with a proposal. Missing relations, I suppose. Marija Liudvika Rutkauskaite

"On air: Why aren't there more women in politics?" - HYS:

In my experience:
-----------------
There are simply too few Women up to the job or are simply too Female biassed to be fair. Harriet Harman - the extremely anti - anything Male MP - is ONE case in point.

I challenge the Media to hold a Survey of the Political knowledge of any ordinary Woman living in any ordinary street and publish the Results.

The only acceptable exception was Margaret Thatcher - she worked for the whole Country - NOT just Women...

Basically I think there are too few women who are prepared to put themselves and their families through everything it takes to be a high profile, successful politician in the 21st Century. They probably have more sense!

Thatcher worked for the whole TORY country and sod the others just as all tories do

I_amStGeorge wrote:

Thatcher worked for the whole TORY country and sod the others just as all tories do

Actually its Mrs Thatcher. Please treat her with the respect she deserves as she brought this country into the 21st century.

We've had enough PC nonsense already - without Women creating yet more of it. On the other hand, I believe Women REALLY ARE of more benefit to their Families and Society as a whole - if they are at Home - that IS A VERY IMPPORTANT role for them.

More women in politics should neither be a slogan NOR a quota! It must be a goal though; but one to be achieved at an 'evolution' pace i.e. naturally and not through artificial boosters.
Leaders are mostly made NOT born and the lack of education, disenfranchisement in the recent past etc. were the factors why women could not enter politics.
Now; education and equal opportunities (almost) are available to a larger and ever growing percentage of females. Of course there are exceptions as regards educating women in certain specific parts of the world.
So we all need to facilitate the process subtly but NOT in terms of percentages of a cabinet or a parliament etc.
It also depends on whether we want quality or quantity and .... whether we are willing to accept a possibly larger percentage of delinquent children if mothers in general are too involved in social or political activities outside the home.

I wonder if women are generally less corruptible and so are less likely to be allowed in.

We have a Conservative Republican group in Washington, DC, which calls themselves "The Family", which specializes in installing and supporting corrupt dictator type strong man thugs in leadership of foreign nations and they probably would not allow women into power.

Sure, I acknowledge that some women have gotten into positions of corrupt power, but its seems to me that most women, the greatest percentage of women, who get into power are and have been pretty decent Progressive leaders.

she deserves the same respect she showed to the miners, the steelworkers that made tis country great and lets not forget the respect of the Wapping newspaper workers. just how many enemies can you make in 8 years

Hello,

Quite interesting that such a conversation could be going on in a country that a struggling democracy like mine (Kenya) and many others look up to. Societies worldwide are patriarchal to the core since time immemorial. That's why it is news even in the world's only superpower when a woman is selected to the Federal Supreme Court.

FOR THEM oh my you really do know how to make friends and influence people dont you

Harman,Blears,cooper,smith are not exactly shining examples of political women.As soon as we can get one with the Balls of dear old Maggie(incidently she still has more balls than all the males in politics put together)She would win my vote hands down.Mind you i am warming to Teresa May.She has a bit of Maggie in her.

Ms. Harman even admitted on air that she was upset that there aren't enough women in top positions. Again, why do women seek equality only at the top? There are plenty of undesirable and even dangerous positions that are filled completely by men, such as miners. Why don't women seek equality everywhere, and not just at the top?

ooh yes. I made a critical observation in my society that women always deal with current issues... I mean day by day while men deal with capital issues. Leadership requires people who are strategic and proactive. Those are majority of men and a handful of ladies.

I have a feeling this is going to turn into a demanding or even legislating respect thing. What certain groups don't seem to understand is that you cannot require people to respect others, you cannot legislate respect. Respect only can be earned.

The phone line of WHYS is still on 'answering machine' mode!
I guess that it will just be described as a mistake or a technical glitch or perhaps a woman is in charge of the phone line!
I therefore feel fully exonerated as regards my decision to relinquish my citizenship of Amazonia! One heck of a hellish place for a man to stay in. Women make better managers, AND politicians and everything else. Bah!

Wow, there are still alot of sexist people in the world, women need to be barefoot and in the kitchen. I think their are numerous reasons more women are not in politics. I think women are just as capable as men, but here in the US, there is still alot of the old boys club involved with politics. And for any of the women who make the grade, if they are strong then they are called alot of ugly names. I think for alot of women, they are not willing to put their families through the media scrutiny that goes with being a politician in today's world. My state has had women governors and women mayors, but how much power they really have I do not know. I would like to see the best person for the job no matter what sex, race, religion etc. But that doesn't always seem to be the rule.

Maybe we should have a 30% quota for women in jails as well since it is mostly men who are imprisoned. Does that sound ridiculous? I bet it does; and so does the quotas in the parliament.

Encouraging quotas is unproductive. In fact we should encourage women to be in politics as a matter of pride/practice and not as a matter of birth right due to fact that they belong to a particular gender. At the end of the day it should be a personal choice and not a national mandate. If there is more qualified man to do the same job the quota system seems unfair and discriminatory to him.

Because once you start with quotas for women, next this is quotas based upon ethnics differences. Such a quota system for the parliament led to the bloody 16 year civil war in Lebanon.

Yes We need more women as leaders. Preferably mothers of more than one child. They can deal with most issue with a much more logical, intelligent approach than us lowly men.

I didn't vote for their husbands, but I would have voted for Barbara Bush or Michelle Obama over the opposition in a heart beat.

But I also thought Margaret Thatcher was great, and I'm not even British.

Please America, lets elect a useful female leader next time! Enough with the Testosterone for once! Women have made great leaders in other countries. They can here also!

The biggest delinquents I know have stay at home moms. I am not attacking stay at home moms, I am a stay at home mom, but I don't see a correlation between delinquency and moms who are too busy with their career. There is more of a correlation between weak mothers and delinquent kids whether they stay at home or work outside the home. But back to the subject, I don't think quotas do anyone any good. I would like more representation by women in government, but they need to be elected on a level playing field to be effective. Quotas can be removed as easily as they are imposed and a woman who gained a position as a result of an imposed quota is, in a sense, a lame duck.

Also there should be a quota for women in preisthood too as it is among elected members.
The time is ripe for a woman Pope after all the pope is democratically elected to his post.

I think we still see guys dominating because of the fact that equal rights were only really getting going in the 1970s, and I expect that over my generation things will progress.

I'm a male language student in university, in an environment where 60 to 70 out of every 100 language students are female. It doesn't matter what gender they are, the same as race or nationality don't matter. Everybody here has the same goal - getting a good degree - and both genders are very much on an equal footing results wise.

As for women in politics, well, it's their choice. They are free to choose what they study, what careers they go into and such. If they are prepared to work hard then the credit for that work should never be denied them. Same with discrimination in the other direction. I do not want to be denied work or help because I am male.

I suspect that much of the world is still mired in the old Conservative colonialist ideas of women and children as property, to be owned and "managed" by men.

The Progressive idea of women and children having their own individual human rights is fairly new and only much advanced in a few countries in the world. Even here in the US, the right of women to vote is less than a hundred years old. And Conservatives are still against the ERA, Equal Rights Amendment, for women.

But we have made progress in getting more women into politics and even the Conservative Sarah Palin owes everything she has as a woman and as a woman politician to the efforts of Progressive Liberal Feminists who fought for and established her Rights. Sarah Palin owes a huge debt of gratitude to Progressive Liberal Feminists.

I believe that as the world continues making Progress in Human Rights, we will see more women in politics and as we get more women into political power the Progress in the Human Rights of women and children will accelerate.

Women never look serious to do anything serious, but when the very few put there mind into something serious - the like of Margret Thatcher and some others they really do a hell of good job.

"And Conservatives are still against the ERA, Equal Rights Amendment, for women.
"

Um Tom, you realize that liberal women were against the ERA as well because it would have required women to register with the selective service and possibly be drafted. Also the ERA would impact the heavily biased in favor of women family courts. Sure you really want it?

Also, Tom, you seem to care so much about the human rights of women and children, but not so much about the children you think women have an unrestricted right to abort? I suppose the more vulnerable the child is, the less rights it should have, right?

there is nothing wrong in having women as PM or in politics or the highest position in religion, what is wrong is activly trying to get them involved wheather they want to or not, you can't drag them into Westminster screeming but a government of all women or all men is acceptable if they are up to the job.

Re: 62 6:35pm on 27 Sep 2010, Chintan in Houston wrote:
"Also there should be a quota for women in preisthood too as it is among elected members.
The time is ripe for a woman Pope after all the pope is democratically elected to his post."

I like that! But why stop at Catholicism or the Pope? What about Muslims? What about other religions? (Though most of them other than Catholicism and Muslims allow women priests!)
And as 'Steve' sez at '#40' what about equality as miners? Then again, what about equality in being garbage collectors? And so on for all the dirty and dangerous jobs!
Oh yeah! Women! Bah!
I am NOT a MCP but NEITHER am I going to bend over backwards and submit when I see a fallacious proposition with an Amazonian agenda behind it!

I think the Labour party is very wrong for having "quotas" of women, gays or non whites etc in their jobs. I agree that anyone should be able to have any job (including jobs within the military, government and religion) but these jobs should be given to the best person for the job - not just given to people to fill quotas. Having such quotas is a form of discrimination and I despise all forms of discrimination.

In my country, you can see many women in a variety of job places, even in severe construction sites. I guess this traditional gender discrimination issue now only exists in politician. But we must not set quotas of women’s member of parliament, if we set, it will become an incapable parliament.

17. At 3:43pm on 27 Sep 2010, Michael Howard wrote:
What to be done is simply allow people to do as they wish. Of course we should encourage women, but in reality everybody, to enter into public service. Being an elected official is a tough job, and privacy becomes non existent, which is the primary reason I would never consider running for office for any reason. Many of the women that I know are very private about their families, so would feel like I do. I don't agree that anyone, woman or man, should "have to choose" between career or family, but if one wants both a career and family then that person is obliged to think long term, and have most of the bits worked out before entering into the arena. If more women were interested in public service, you would see more, and you do see a steady increase in women in politics. I don't know where the US falls on the list of countries who have the most women in politics, but we are electing more women from all backgrounds (liberal, conservative and moderate) more and more. Patience is key for those who want to see more women in office.
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Totally agree, couldn't have put it better.

More women in politics would risk more Maggie Thatcher clones and do we really want that to happen? A recent survey found that the majority of women prefer to work for male bosses so that must tell us something!

46. At 5:40pm on 27 Sep 2010, PC_Hitman wrote:

I_amStGeorge wrote:

Thatcher worked for the whole TORY country and sod the others just as all tories do

Actually its Mrs Thatcher. Please treat her with the respect she deserves as she brought this country into the 21st century.

Actually it is Baroness Thatcher.

I have lived in the Middle East since 1977. The Koran dictates how ALL Muslims WILL lead ther lives. It places men as dominant & women as followers. The Taliban are a good example of a strict following of "the rules".

However, the spreading of Islam around the world as a policy is also leading to dilution and many young people now see that Islamic teaching has many flaws. They want Western lives with a bit of Islam thrown in and they treat it more like a take-it-or-leave-it religion than as a total lifestyle.

No shortage of them in the US......but many fall short, with voters.

Why aren't there more women in politics? Could it be that perhaps they have more sense?

In the UK, of course, they have the Blair Babes syndrome to live down. That should take a couple of generations!!

In my opinion we don't have many women in politics because they either feel threatened to be in a mostly male environment or just don't want to be. I don't think that it is because they are women and feel they are held back because of that. I do not care if a politician is a man or a woman, sex is irrelevant, how they do the job is what I care about. I do not want to see women put into place due to some quota that a lot of people seem to think is necessary.

45. At 5:32pm on 27 Sep 2010, I_amStGeorge wrote:

Thatcher worked for the whole TORY country and sod the others just as all tories do

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Not quite, she worked for the whole country. Whereas Labour PM's such as Blair and Brown worked for themselves. Do you honestly think Blair got us involved in Iraq for the defence of the country? No, most likely to get his green card to live in the US.

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Probably because of the same reason that there are less women in physics and engineering. It's not a subject or career that appeals as much to women, just as nursing is not a career that appeals as much to men.

Women in power scare me. Have you ever asked a women in power something and it seems she says no just because she can? Also, i think that the public looks to men more for their leadership. When you think of some official, what comes to mind, a woman or a man?

No wonder you're always fighting!
Never mind adding men or women to politics...
You humans should get the politics out of both sexes.

Thatcher was an intellectual lightweight who ruined the UK with austerity focussed cuts on the working class (95% of population). She sold off British industry, destroyed most of England, all of Scotland and Wales. It was difficult to walk down Oxford Street or along the Strand during the 1980`s due to the hundreds of people sleeping on the pavenment.She rubished the concept of society and sadly destroyed the fabric of Britain and its people. Sadly, mainly due to Thatcher, the UK now has a large un-educated population who know little about the world and survive on a diet of US-style celebrity garbage. Hardly someone worthy of respect.

Women get a rough treatment from paternalistic government. A woman in my office suffers from verbal, physical, and sexual abuse from her family. Her father, brother, and significant other feel that her money is theirs. The male attitude is exploitive, manipulative, and criminal.

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