LONDON INTERNATIONAL MODEL UNITED NATIONS

Study Guide : UN Women Committee

Co-authors: Jessica GHAZAOUIR and Elif Naz ARIKAN

Topic A: The Issue of Violence against Women and Girls

Topic B: Promoting Inclusive Political Participation of Women
 Introduction to the Committee Directors

Hi everyone! My name is Jessica Ghazaouir and I will be one of the directors of the
UN Women committee at LIMUN 2016. I have been born and raised in Lyon, France and I
am currently pursuing a law and political science double degree at the University Jean Moulin
Lyon III, where I am a third year student. I have been involved in Model United Nations for 3
years now, first as a delegate and later as a chairperson.

I attended LIMUN as a delegate the past two years and it was a great experience,
which is the reason why I decided to apply as a chair for LIMUN 2016. Committees related to
the social and cultural part of the United Nations, as well as committees related to human
rights and gender equality are the ones I am the most interested in. Indeed, being in
committees such as the UNICEF, the UNESCO or UN Women in my previous Model UN
experience lead me to turn myself to the topics tackling human and social protection issues. I
consider that being part of such a committee gives us a chance to open ourselves to the world
and its new challenges. This year, UN Women will focus on the fundamental topics that are
Addressing the issue of violence against women and girls and Promoting inclusive political
participation of women, both aiming gender equality. I cannot wait to see which way will take
the debates on these key topics.

Attending LIMUN 2016 is a real chance and opportunity for all of us: debating in the
wonderful city of London, experiencing the art of diplomacy, meeting people from all over
the world, having fun at the socials and much more. I am really looking forward to meeting
you all during this incredible Model United Nations!
 My name is Elif Naz ARIKAN. I am Turkish. I was born in Ankara, Turkey, but I am
currently living in stanbul and Im a senior Law Student in Galatasaray University a
francophone university in Turkey. Ive been to various conferences with different positions. I
met MUN world and got this addiction in my high school years and I worked in Galatasaray
University International Law and Diplomacy Club as MUN Coordinatior, vice president and
president and each year of my university life become unique with the conferences that we
organized as well as with the international conferences that I participated.

Currently I am working in the Supervisory Committee in International Law and

Diplomacy Club. Besides MUN, I also participated to a Moot Court in 2015, Ren Cassin
Moot Court in Strasbourg, involved in European Union Projects and I gained experience in
international commercial law with the internships that I made. This year I am one of the
Assistant Director in the UNWOMEN Committee of LIMUN 2016 and I am excited for what
will come from the conference.
 Introduction to the Committee : UN Women
The United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women

The United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of
Women, also called UN Women is working to reduce gender inequality, especially through
empowerment of women. The Entity was created in 2010 with adoption of Resolution 64/289
on July 2nd, and became operational in January 2011. It results from merging of four different
institutes, offices, and bodies related to women and gender equality issues. UN Women is also
part of the United Nations Development Group (UNDG). The current Executive Director of
the Entity is Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, the Deputy-President of South Africa.

UN Women activities are centered on the following:

To support inter-governmental bodies, such as the Commission on the Status

of Women, in their formulation of policies, global standards and norms;
To help Member States to implement these standards, standing ready to
provide suitable technical and financial support to those countries that request
it, and to forge effective partnerships with civil society ;
To lead and coordinate the UN systems work on gender equality as well as
promote accountability, including through regular monitoring of system-wide
progress.1

UN Womens action is divided in nine general areas: leadership and political

participation ; economic empowerment ; ending violence against women ; peace and security ;
humanitarian action ; governance and national planning ; the 2030 agenda for sustainable
development ; HIV and AIDS.

The Entity also has a fundamental place in the organization of the International
Womens Day, and in the coordination of the Commission on the Status of Women. UN
Women has produced a large amount a work and launched many actions and campaigns since
its creation. One recent example is the launch of the HeForShe2 with the Secretary-General
Ban Ki-Moon and Emma Watson.

1
UN Women, About UN Women, http://www.unwomen.org/en/about-us/about-un-women
2
HeForShe Campaign, http://www.heforshe.org/
 TOPIC A
ADRESSING THE ISSUE OF VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND GIRLS

Break the silence. When you witness violence against women and girls, do not sit back. Act.
Ban Ki-Moon, UN Secretary-General

I. Introduction

The issue of violence against women and girls is the direct consequence of two United
Nations prominent issues: first, gender and social equality and second, decent standards of
living. Indeed, these principles are some of the fundamental rights enshrined in the preamble
of the United Nations Charter (UN Charter), which defines the very first aims and objectives
of the United Nations Organization itself:
We the peoples of the United Nations determined [] to reaffirm faith in
fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person, in the equal
rights of men and women and of nations large and small and [] to promote social
progress and better standards of life in larger freedom []3

Furthermore, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) recalls the

Preamble of the United Nations Charter in its preamble, before affirming in its articles the
illegality of gender and social discrimination and the fundamental rights recognized to all
human beings, including women and girls :
Preamble:
Whereas recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of
all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the
world4
Whereas the peoples of the United Nations have in the Charter reaffirmed their faith
in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person and in the
equal rights of men and women and have determined to promote social progress and
better standards of life in larger freedom 5
Article 1:
3
United Nations Charter, 1945, Preamble, http://www.un.org/en/charter-united-nations/index.html
4
Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Preamble, http://www.un.org/en/universal-declaration-human-
rights/index.html
5
Ibid.
 All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights []6
Article 2.1:
Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration,
without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political
or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status.7

The following articles of the UDHR proclaim human rights, with absolutely no
distinction of any kind (including gender). As a result, women and girls should be protected
against any form of violence (physical, sexual, psychological, economic). Solving the issue
of violence against women and girls comes with the question of gender equality, which is one
of the main guidelines of the United Nations, along with its specialized bodies and agencies
(especially the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women
UN Women), its various programs and its entire work.

II. Definition and key resolutions/conventions

The United Nations established a general definition of violence against women as any
act of gender-based violence that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual or mental
harm or suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation
of liberty, whether occurring in public or in private life.8
There are different types of violence, the main ones being physical violence, sexual
violence and psychological violence. To these 3 main types can be added the economic
violence. Each of these types of violence can have dramatic effects on women and girls, their
health and life including.
As a response to these unacceptable violations of womens rights, the United Nations
and its specialized agencies and bodies decided to take measures to end violence against
women and girls. Many conventions and resolutions have been adopted as a result,
progressively building an international Law ensuring the protection of women and girls
against violence:

6
Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Article 1, http://www.un.org/en/universal-declaration-human-
rights/index.html
7
Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Article 2.1, http://www.un.org/en/universal-declaration-human-
rights/index.html
8
World Health Organization, Media Center, November 2014, Fact Sheet n239 : Violence against women,
Intimate partner and sexual violence against women : http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs239/en/
 1979 : The Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against
Women (CEDAW), originally not mentioning violence against women and girls
explicitly but clarified by the General Recommendations 12 and 199 ;
1985 : The General Assembly Resolution on Domestic Violence (A/RES/40/36)10 ;
1989 : The Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC)11 ;
The 1993 World Conference on Human Rights, recognizing violence against women
as a human rights violation and leading to the 1993 Declaration on the Elimination of
Violence against Women, explicitly and entirely addressing the issue for the first time;
1995 : The Beijing Platform for Action, identifying the end of violence as one of the
twelve areas for priority action ;
2011 : The Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence
against women and domestic violence ;
2013: The Commission on the Status of Women (CSW).

Furthermore, the United Nations General Assembly adopts bi-annual resolutions on

the issue of violence against women, and the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and
the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) has been created in 2010 to reach gender equality
and end all forms of discrimination against women, ending violence being one of the
frameworks of the Entity. Finally, in 2008 has been launched the major campaign UNiTE to
End Violence against Women, mainly to raise awareness and encourage political action on the
issue.

III. Discussion of the topic

Delegates must tackle the issue of violence against women and girls through the
different types of violence which exist (physical, sexual, psychological, all 3 being
interdependent), and the main phenomenon linked to these types of violence (intimate partner
violence, sexual violence, human trafficking and sexual exploitation, female genital
mutilation, and child marriage). Economic violence against women can also be brought into
debates, which may not be only limited to the point raised in this study guide.

9
Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination against Women,
http://www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/cedaw/text/econvention.htm
10
General Assembly Resolution on Domestic Violence (A/RES/40/36),
http://www.un.org/documents/ga/res/40/a40r036.htm
11
Convention on the Rights of the Child, http://www.ohchr.org/EN/ProfessionalInterest/Pages/CRC.aspx
 1. Definitions and key facts on different forms of violence

Intimate Partner Violence

Violence by an intimate partner can be define as a behavior by an intimate partner or
ex-partner that causes physical, sexual or psychological harm, including physical aggression,
sexual coercion, psychological abuse and controlling behaviors.12 It is the most common
form of violence experienced by women and girls worldwide and refers to women being
beaten, coerced into sex or abused in any other way.
In 2012, 1 in 2 women killed worldwide were killed by their partners or family, when
only 1 out of 20 men were killed in such circumstances, which illustrates the scale of the
problem.
Regarding internal laws, 2/3 of all countries have legislation regarding domestic
violence and only 52 countries have legislations recognizing marital rape as a crime, which
means that 2.6 billion women and girl are not legally protected.

Sexual Violence
Sexual violence is defined by the United Nations as any sexual act, attempt to obtain
a sexual act, or other act directed against a persons sexuality using coercion, by any person
regardless of their relationship to the victim, in any setting. It includes rape, defined as the
physically forced or otherwise coerced penetration of the vulva or anus with a penis, other
body part or object.13 As a consequence, sexual violence refers to rape (within marriage, by
stranger or during armed conflicts), unwanted sexual advances or sexual harassment, sexual
abuse of children, and forced marriage or cohabitation.
This type of violence is present in all countries. For instance, in the European Union,
studies have shown that 45% to 55% of women have faced sexual harassment by the age of
15.
Sexual violence comes with many health risks for women and girls suffering of this
violence. Indeed, there is a high risk of exposure to HIV/AIDS and possibilities of traumatic
gynecologic fistula for instance.
Human Trafficking and Sexual Exploitation

12
Ibid.
13
Ibid.
 Human trafficking is defined as the acquisition and exploitation of people, through
means, such as force, fraud or deception.14 This practice still occurs in the twenty-first
century and often results in sexual exploitation. On the 21 million people estimated to be
forced to labor, 4.5 million would face sexual exploitation, and 98% of these people are
women, according to UN Women.

Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)

Female genital mutilation refers to the procedures that intentionally alter or cause
injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons.15 This practice causes extreme
physical and psychological pain to women and girls enduring it. FGM is also a great risk to
health, especially regarding HIV/AIDS, and diseases or infections women could be subjected
to due to FGM. However, it is a common practice in 29 countries of Africa and Middle-East,
where more 133 million women alive have suffered of this practice.

Child Marriage
Child marriage refers to forced marriages of young girls without their consent. 700
million women worldwide were married before the age of 18, and a third of them before 15.
In many countries, child marriages results from poverty, and are a real threat to the education
of young girls. Furthermore, young girls married under 18 are more exposed to intimate
partner violence and sexual violence.

Other forms of violence against women and girls

Violence against women and girls is expressed in many different ways, not only
including the previously mentioned types of violence. There is also dowry murder, honour
killing, violence during pregnancy, sexual harassment, economic violence, and many other
forms of violence based on discrimination resulting from womens ethnicity, caste, class,
migrant or refugee status, age, religion, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, etc.

14
UN Women, November 6th 2015, Infographic : Violence against women :
http://www.unwomen.org/en/digital-library/multimedia/2015/11/infographic-violence-against-women
15
Ibid.
 2. Consequences of violence against women and girls
Violence can have a dramatic impact on the victim. Indeed, consequences are really
diverse and occur in many different areas : physical, sexual and psychological consequences
(highly linked to health issues) as well as economic, educational or cultural consequences.
Indeed, some types of violence lead to lower levels of education, exposure to child
maltreatment, antisocial personality disorders, or even to the acceptation of gender inequality
as a normal practice.
Many types of violence have direct or indirect consequences health. The main risk for
women and girls exposed to violence is the exposure to HIV/AIDS, especially in case of
sexual violence. It can also result in more dramatic circumstances such as homicide or
suicide.
Sexual violence in particular has many heavy consequences : injuries, unintended
pregnancies (and abortions), gynecological problems, sexually transmitted infections (STDs,
including HIV). Psychological effects of sexual violence are also very diverse : depression,
post-traumatic stress disorder, sleep difficulties, eating disorders, emotional distress and
suicide attempts. Studies have shown that alcohol problems and addictions can result of such
violence.
Moreover, health effects can include headaches, back pain, abdominal pain,
fibromyalgia, gastrointestinal disorders, limited mobility and poor overall health, especially in
countries where the access to healthcare is limited.
Finally, violence during childhood can impact the comportment and attitudes of
children regarding smoking, drug and alcohol issues. Children are also subject to mortality,
malnutrition or diseases. It can also lead to sexual or violent behaviors in later life, mostly as
perpetration for males and victims for females.

3. Response to the issue of gender-based violence

Prevention
Violence against women and girls is a gender discrimination based on multiple
stereotypes, which need to be deconstructed and eliminated. There are different ways to fight
this type of violence, and prevention is a key in the response to the issue. Indeed, through
prevention, violence can be reduced and avoided in many cases. Prevention is effective thanks
to education for boys and girls, men and women but also thanks to a larger access to
information and awareness campaigns.
 Education
Education is the key in the prevention of violent acts against women and girls. It
targets boys as well as girls. Indeed developing education in rural areas and countries
especially concerned by gender-based violence is fundamental. This type of prevention must
start in the early life of children in order to promote gender equality in a better and durable
way. It must concern boys in order to avoid them to perpetrate acts of violence, but also girls
to give them a sufficient knowledge of their fundamental rights. Education also comes with
the empowerment of women in order to reach gender equality.
Programs such as Voices against Violence must be encouraged by the United
Nations and Government. This program is a co-educational curriculum designed for various
age groups ranging from 5 to 25 years. It provides young people with tools and expertise to
understand the root causes of violence in their communities, to educate and involve their
peers and communities to prevent such violence, and to learn about where to access support if
violence is experienced.16 This way of educating young people provides large prevention,
covering the understanding of the issue, the ways of avoiding it, and even more important,
services related to victims of gender-based violence. Furthermore, this specific program can
be adapted to national context, translated into local languages, and rolled out in schools and
communities in partnership with youth organizations, UN partners and governments.17
Indeed, an educational program of prevention must be adapted to the population targeted in
order to be efficient and largely diffused to urban areas, as well as local and rural ones.

Awareness campaigns
Raising awareness is a complementary action to education. Indeed, it provides
information, not only to young people, but more largely to men and women. The aim of such
an action is to change attitudes and behavior towards women and girls, and mobilize
populations to promote gender equality (through local projects, global petitions, information
on womens rights, etc.).
The United Nations Secretary Generals Campaign to End Violence against Women
(UNiTE campaign) has been implemented in order to fulfill awareness objectives but not
only. It aims the end of gender-based violence through different means and awareness is one
of the main ones. The campaign established 5 goals, the fourth one being Increase Political

16
UN Women, Ending Violence against Women, Focusing on Prevention to Stop the Violence:
http://www.unwomen.org/en/what-we-do/ending-violence-against-women/prevention
17
Ibid.
Awareness and Social Mobilization18, which proves the relevance of communication and
prevention through awareness campaigns.
This campaign is however not the only one which has been launched regarding
violence towards women and girls. Many more exist, added to the international days focusing
on the different types of violence. There are many specific awareness campaigns, regarding a
precise form of violence regarding women and girls.
Finally, awareness must adapt itself to countries and populations targeted. As a
consequence, in a globalized world, internet and social media represent a key point for the
prevention of violence against women and girls.

Direct support to women and girls victim of violence

Prevention is essential to reduce and eliminate gender-based violence. However,
numerous women and girls still experience violence everyday around the world. This is the
reason why, it is absolutely necessary to create structures which can bring help to the victims
of violence. These structures are implemented in multi-sectoral national action plans.19 It
means that each country must internally provide support to women and girls who experience
violence, through many different ways (multi-sectorial plans).
Direct support can be brought with centers providing health services for victims of
violence. Hotlines and helplines can also provide information to women and girls, but
essentially support to avoid any dramatic psychological condition for instance. The existence
of free legal services for women and girls into these centers is also required to organize a
complete support of victims. Finally, measures such as the creation of safe spaces or more
recently safe cities would provide women and girls the security they require, even if they
never experienced gender-based violence.
These fundamental and basic services must be accessible to any woman or girl victim
of violence, without any distinction on religion, sexual orientation, class, social status, etc.
Vulnerable groups such as refugees, women with disabilities, indigenous or women living in
rural areas must benefit equality of such services.

18
UN Secretary Generals campaign UNiTE to end violence against women official website :
http://endviolence.un.org/index.shtml
19
UN Women, Ending violence against Women, Services for All Women : http://www.unwomen.org/en/what-
we-do/ending-violence-against-women/services-for-all-women
Strengthening domestic legislations
At an international level, progress has been made in the past 20 years in order to create
a legal framework to protect women and girls from violence. As a consequence, the
international legislation has been largely enforced. However, this legal framework is useless if
countries do not take internal measures to punish the perpetrators of violence against women
and ensure womens fundamental rights.
Indeed, laws and policies of many countries do not criminalize some types of violence
against women and girls, arguing that it only relies on private matters. As a result, there is a
clear tolerance of gender-based violence. The United Nations bodies and specialized agencies
such as UN Women, and NGOs work to encourage the adoption of a legal framework
regarding gender-based violence by all countries. Indeed, the aim is the punishment of
perpetrators and the recognition of womens rights, but also to provide human and financial
resources to create awareness campaigns, ensure a direct support to women and girls victims
of violence, and provide security to all women and girls.

4. Cooperation of UN bodies and specialized agencies

The different responses to violence against women and girls can only be efficient in
the perspective of a cooperation between the United Nations bodies and specialized agencies,
but also with Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), national and local Governments, as
well as national and local associations and religious leaders.
The following UN bodies and specialized agencies, commissions and programmes
appear as essential for a cooperation on the issue of violence towards women and girls:
The United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN
Women) ;
The World Health Organization (WHO);
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO);
United Nations Childrens Fund (UNICEF);
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP);
United Nations Population Fund (UNFPD);
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR);
United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC).

IV. Bloc positions

 Case Study 1: Ethiopia
Ethiopia is an African country particularly affected by the issue of violence against
women and girls. According to the World Health Organization, in their lifetime, 55.9% of
women suffer of physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence and/or non-partner violence.
This represents more than half of women in Ethiopia.
This is a reason why UN Women has worked to improve the situation and provide
support to victims of violence. The Entity has helped in the creation of safe houses, especially
in the cities of Adama and Addis Ababa. These secure space are implemented in order to offer
women and girls health services, legal help, job-training and diverse assistance to the
survivors of violence such as psychological support.
These safe houses are created in targeted spaces or areas, for instance police stations,
to make easier the process of reporting a crime. Some others were created in camps of Somali
refugees, in order to provide safety and support to the most vulnerable women and girls. The
work of UN Women in the creation of such centers is fundamental and tends to assist with
institutional capacity-building20 to ensure essential services for women and girls in the best
possible and most adapted way.
In a different area, the Ethiopian police force responded positively to the needs in the
country and improved the criminal justice responses by revising its training programme to
comprehensively integrate womens rights and gender equality21. With the help of UN
Women and different other bodies of the United Nations, progress has been realized in
Ethiopia to reduce violence against women and girls and provide support to the victims.

Case Study 2: Central America

UN Women also provides support to Central American countries, especially Mexico
and El Salvador. Indeed, a survey established in 2006 that in Mexico, in a lifetime, 46.7% of
women suffer of physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence. In El Salvador, a survey
estimated in 2008 that on a lifetime, 26.3% of women experience physical and/or sexual
intimate partner violence.
The work of the Entity in these two countries focused on legal reforms in order to
ensure the punishment of gender-based violence perpetrators, and more precisely in the case
of femicide. In El Salvador, it resulted on the adoption of a protocol to guide the

20
Ibid.
21
Ibid.
investigations and make sure that perpetrators will be punished. In another Central American
country, Guatemala, the work of UN Women with national and local prosecutors enabled to
conduct more than 550 trials in cases of violence against women. The adoption of a protocol
at a regional level (Latin America) regarding femicide investigation has also been evocated.
In Mexico, support has been provided to the National Commission for the
Development of Indigenous Peoples, which led to the improvement of the response to
violence against women and girls. The UN Women work is therefore fundamental in Central
America, and further to reduce and eliminate gender-based violence.

V. Questions a resolution should address

How violence against women and girls is precisely defined? What are all forms and
types of such a violence?
What are the causes and consequences of gender-based violence? How important is
the impact on women?
What kind of support can be provided to the victims of this type of violence?
What are the main ways of action to reduce and end gender-based violence?
Are there precise examples of responses to the issue? What do the programs already
implemented can provide to create new and more efficient programs?
How to highlight the strong links of gender-based violence with gender inequalities?
How can education be one of the main ways of action regarding the issue?
Which areas are the ones being the most impacted by gender-based violence?
Why and how is the cooperation of the UN bodies and agencies with local and
national Governments, associations and religious leader a key in solving the issue?
How the implementation of strong and effective legislations in all countries is
fundamental to provide an efficient response to violence against women and girls?
 VI. Further reading

A complementary infographic tackling the main types of violence against women and
girls: http://www.unwomen.org/en/digital-library/multimedia/2015/11/infographic-
violence-against-women
A comprehensive website affiliated to the UN Women Entity regarding leading initiatives,
which can be very useful to research case studies and their efficiency:
http://www.endvawnow.org/en/leading-initiatives
The official website of the UN Secretary Generals campaign UNiTE to end violence
against women, very complete for all types of information about gender-based violence:
http://endviolence.un.org/index.shtml
A detailed view of health consequences of violence against women and girls made by the
World Health Organization (WHO): http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs239/en/
The UN Womens information on ending violence against women, centered on facts,
figures and action lead by the Entity: http://www.unwomen.org/en/what-we-do/ending-
violence-against-women
A few complementary information about the role of the UN Trust Fund in the UNiTE
campaign : http://endviolence.un.org/pdf/factsheets/unite_untf.pdf
Complementary and brief information on the general action of the UN:
http://endviolence.un.org/pdf/pressmaterials/unite_what_is_un_doing_2011.pdf
A brief note from the UNiTE campaign regarding the action of men leaders in the fight
against gender-based violence:
http://endviolence.un.org/pdf/factsheets/unite_network_men_leaders.pdf
A very relevant database regarding violence against women and girls for most countries:
http://www.endvawnow.org/uploads/browser/files/vaw_prevalence_matrix_15april_2011.
pdf
A complete publication of the United Nations about Conflict-related sexual violence:
http://www.stoprapenow.org/uploads/advocacyresources/1291722944.pdf
The UNiTE Campaign Framework for Action : Programme of United Nations Activities
and Expected Outcomes, 2008 2015:
http://endviolence.un.org/pdf/unite_framework_en.pdf
 A Resolution adopted by the General Assembly (2006): Intensification of efforts to
eliminate all forms of violence against women, January 30th 2007 (A/RES/61/143) :
http://www.un.org/en/ga/search/view_doc.asp?symbol=A/RES/61/143&Lang=E
A comprehensive database of resolutions, reports and studies of the United Nations on the
issue of Violence against women : http://www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/vaw/
An introduction on the ICRW action to fight gender-based violence :
http://www.icrw.org/what-we-do/violence-against-women

VII. Bibliography

UN Women, November 6th 2015, Info graphic: Violence against women:

http://www.unwomen.org/en/digital-library/multimedia/2015/11/infographic-violence-
against-women
UN Women, Ending Violence against Women, Focusing on Prevention to Stop the
Violence: http://www.unwomen.org/en/what-we-do/ending-violence-against-
women/prevention
UN Women, Ending Violence against Women, Services for All Women:
http://www.unwomen.org/en/what-we-do/ending-violence-against-women/services-for-
all-women
UN Secretary Generals campaign UNiTE to end violence against women official website:
http://endviolence.un.org/index.shtml
The United Nations Charter: http://www.un.org/en/charter-united-nations/index.html
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights: http://www.un.org/en/universal-declaration-
human-rights/index.html
World Health Organization, Media Center, November 2014, Fact Sheet n239: Violence
against women, Intimate partner and sexual violence against women:
http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs239/en/
Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination against Women:
http://www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/cedaw/text/econvention.htm
General Assembly Resolution on Domestic Violence (A/RES/40/36):
http://www.un.org/documents/ga/res/40/a40r036.htm
Convention on the Rights of the Child:
http://www.ohchr.org/EN/ProfessionalInterest/Pages/CRC.aspx
 UN Women, Violence against Women Prevalence Data: Surveys by Country Compiled
by UN Women (as of March 2011):
http://www.endvawnow.org/uploads/browser/files/vaw_prevalence_matrix_15april_2011.
pdf
The UNiTE Campaign Framework for Action: Programme of United Nations Activities
and Expected Outcomes, 2008 2015:
http://endviolence.un.org/pdf/unite_framework_en.pdf
Press release, November 24th 2009, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon Calls
for Immediate Action to End Violence against Women:
http://endviolence.un.org/pdf/pressmaterials/UNiTE_PressRelease_FINAL.pdf
Press Release of the United Nations, December 14th 2012, Countries from every region
announce new initiatives to end violence against women:
http://endviolence.un.org/pdf/pressmaterials/press141212.pdf
UNiTE Campaign: A Promise is a Promise:
http://endviolence.un.org/pdf/apromiseisapromise.pdf
UN Women, Handbook and Supplement for legislation on violence against women :
http://www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/vaw/v-handbook.htm
 TOPIC B
PROMOTING INCLUSIVE POLITICAL PARTICIPATION OF WOMEN

Key terms and definitions

Inclusive Political Participation

The millennium declaration points out the necessity of equal political participation of men and
women. The political participation is not limited to voting or women representation in
parliaments but also active participation in public life.
Convention of the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against women (CEDAW)
CEDAW was adopted in 1979. All member states recognized the obligation of providing
equal opportunities in all spheres of life.
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)
ICCPR entered into force in 23 March 1976 and all member States recognized the equal and
inalienable rights of all members of the human family.
Vienna Declaration and Program of Action
Vienna Declaration and Program of Action was adopted as the outcome document of World
Conference on Human Rights in Vienna on 25 June 1993. The document is crucial in relation
to the protection of human rights and the emphasis of fundamental freedoms. The document
rejects any kind of gender-based discrimination.
Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action
Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action is adopted in 1995 as the outcome document of
the Fourth World Conference. It calls upon all institutions to provide equal opportunities for
women in political sphere.
ECOSOC resolution of 24 May 1990
It contains the recommendation for 30% quota for female political leaders.
UN Security Council Resolution 1325 (2000)
Landmark Security Council resolution, which emphasizes the important role of women in
peacebuilding and emphasizes womens active political participation in post-conflict
countries.
UN GA Resolution on womens political participation in 2011
UN General Assembly resolution on womens political participation notes, Women in every
part of the world continue to be largely marginalized from the political sphere, often as a
result of discriminatory laws, practices, attitudes and gender stereotypes, low levels of
education, lack of access to health care and the disproportionate effect of poverty on
women.22
GA Resolution 66/130
The resolution is based on the elimination of discriminatory applications/restrictions
regarding the womens political participation.

I. Introduction

Political participation of women have been an issue for many years and international
community is still discussing this subject. The reality that women in even 21st century,
continue to be marginalized from political institutions, the male domination in the political
sphere have been challenging societies for a long period of time. This is one of the reasons
why there are many institutions within the scope of the United Nations are tackling with this
issue. It is possible to pursue the perception and the evaluation of female participation in
political sphere via the international provisions regarding this topic.
One of the most important texts regarding empowerment of the political participation
of women is the Convention of the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against
women, which is entered into force in 1981. Article 7 of this convention regulates the political
23
participation of women and calls the Members States to take all appropriate measures. The
convention promotes the female representation and refers to the State obligations in order to
take the required measures which purpose to ensure the equality between male and female
participation.24 The foreseen measures are also in conformity with the articles in International
Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the Convention extended their scope25. In this
context, the international standards set by different entities played an important role in
relation to the substantial growth of the international commitment to fulfilling womens equal
right to political participation.26 To be more precise, the ECOSOC resolution of 24 May
1990, the 1993 World Conference on Human Rights and as its product document Vienna
Declaration and Program of Action, 1995 Fourth World Conference on Women and as its
product document the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, the landmark resolution of

22
UN Women, Leadership and Political Participation, http://www.unwomen.org/en/what-we-do/leadership-and-
political-participation
23
CEDAW, Article 7, http://www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/cedaw/text/econvention.htm
24
Ibid.
25
A/HRC/23/50,
http://www.ohchr.org/Documents/HRBodies/HRCouncil/RegularSession/Session23/A.HRC.23.50_EN.pdf
26
CEDAW, Article 7, http://www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/cedaw/text/econvention.htm
the UN Security Council in 2000, the UN GA Resolution on womens political participation
in 2011 and lastly the related part adopted in Millennium Development Goals constitute the
building stones of this equalization process. In 1990, the ECOSOC adopted the resolution
1990/15 and recommended a minimum 30% for women in politics and absorbed the aim of
equal representation. Moreover the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action constitutes a
benchmark document in order to set a visionary agenda for strengthening womens political
participation. The Beijing Declaration and Platform for action27 comes into prominence each
day, as States couldnt manage to ensure an absolute equality regarding the human rights of
women and girls. Secretary General BAN Ki-Moon also emphasized this urgency28 in relation
to the Millennium Development Goals29 that embraces the promotion of gender equality and
empowerment of women.
In pursuit of these developments the UN Security Council adopted its resolution 1325
(2000) and reaffirmed the important role of women in the resolution and prevention of
conflicts and in peace building. The resolution is also important by its content that stresses the
necessity of the empowerment of women in decision-making with regard to conflict
30
prevention and resolution. Finally, the resolution adopted by UN General Assembly
adopted on 19 December 2011 (66/130) regarding women and political participation
contributed to the international solidarity considering the promotion of the female
participation in political sphere. The resolution constitutes a landmark document by noting the
on-going marginalization of women from the political sphere often as a result of
discriminatory laws, practices, attitudes and gender stereotypes, low levels of education, lack
of access to health care and the disproportionate effect of poverty on women.31

II. International Framework

Even if the political participation of women is a fundamental question, which has been
discussed for a long time, and even if the international community has been trying to find
various solutions for this issue. Regrettably the main objective, the absolute equality, has not
been reached. Within this context, beyond any doubt, as the stability baseline of the
27
Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action,
http://www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/beijing/pdf/BDPfA%20E.pdf
28
The Millennium Development Goals Report, 2015,
http://www.un.org/millenniumgoals/2015_MDG_Report/pdf/MDG%202015%20rev%20(July%201).pdf
29
UNSC Resolution 1325 (2000), http://www.securitycouncilreport.org/atf/cf/%7B65BFCF9B-6D27-4E9C-
8CD3-CF6E4FF96FF9%7D/WPS%20SRES1325%20.pdf
30
Security Council Press Release SC/6942, http://www.un.org/press/en/2000/20001031.sc6942.doc.html
31
GA Resolution A/RES/66/130, http://www.un.org/ga/search/view_doc.asp?symbol=A/RES/66/130
international solidarity, the international instruments are required to be mentioned under this
section.
It is possible to ground the beginning of this process on the Charter of United Nations
and the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights expressing equal rights of women and
men. Article 1 of the Charter of United Nations determines one of its purpose as following:
promoting and encouraging respect for human rights and for fundamental freedoms for all
with- out distinction as to race, sex, language, or religion. In the same direction, the
Universal Declaration of Human Rights contributed to the concept of gender equality
precluding any kind of distinction such as sex.32 The discussions occurred while the drafting
of the declaration is remarkable considering the anti-discriminatory attitude of this benchmark
document. For instance as a result of these discussions, in the declaration instead of using the
expression all men, gender-neutral terms are used such as all human beings and
everyone.33
In 1979, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against
Women was adopted by the General Assembly. The preamble of this Convention is of capital
importance by emphasizing the urgency of the marginalization of women and the necessity of
enjoyment of equal rights with men. As it is already declared above, the article 7 of the
Convention is vital for the promotion of the political participation of women.34
As the outcome document of the Fourth Conference on Women in 1995, The Beijing
Declaration and Platform for Action can be also treated as another crucial international
instrument. We can clearly state that the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action had a
positive impact on the political participation of Women. Particularly the UN- ratified
documents such as The CEDAW and the Beijing Declaration and Platform For Action are
used as legitimate and effective tools for the future progress to redress gender
imbalances.35
Millennium Development Goals and their outcome have a positive role as well. For
instance 2015 Report on Millennium Development Goals gives us an overview regarding the
progress of the women representation and participation, which will be handled under the

32
OHCHR, Women Rights are Human Rights, p.3, New York and Geneva, 2014
33
Johannes Morsink, Womens rights in the Universal Declaration, Human Rights Quarterly, vol. 13, No. 2
(May 1991)
34
Further information and full text of the Convention :
http://www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/cedaw/text/econvention.htm
35
Beijing+20 Looking Back and the Road Ahead Reflections on Milestones in Womens Leadership in the 21st
Century ; TOHIDI Nayereh, Beijing+20 and its Impact on Womens Political Participation, p.24-26
following sections. Furthermore, the positive role of the entities within the structure of UN is
non-negligible.
III. The Role of the UN regarding the Promotion of the Inclusive Political
Participation of Women

The UN General Assembly constitutes a milestone institution. Particularly the

resolution 66/130 of 19 December 2011 on women and political participation adopted by
GA, is one of the most important legal production to be considered under this topic.
Moreover, Secretary General BAN Ki-Moon presented a report regarding the implementation
of this resolution. The report is remarkable with its exhaustive content including various data
and it notes the challenges affecting womens political participation. Moreover the Secretary
General Report points out the required measures to be tackled. The recommendations stated
within this report are crucial in order to set up a visionary road map. For instance, the
implementation of gender responsive applications are recommended and the urgency of the
enforcement of concerted actions are stated in the Report as following: A greater level of
concerted action is needed to overcome the challenges and to ensure womens equal
participation with men in political and public life. This is especially relevant in the light of the
20-year review appraisal and implementation of the Platform for Action, and the post-2015
development agenda and sustainable development goals.36
Within this Context the UN General Assembly, in July 2010, created UNWOMEN,
the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women.
UNWOMEN works on seven key issues focusing on the gender equality and womens
empowerment. Womens leadership and political participation is an exhaustive topic among
these seven titles. In the light of the international instruments stated above, UNWOMEN
determines various strategies including providing trainings, creating favorable conditions for
civic education and sensitization campaigns. UNWOMEN purposes establishing certain
awareness among the global community as well as facilitating the engagement in advocacy
around making gender equality measures central to public policymaking.37 Advocating for

36
UN General Assembly, Measures taken and progress achieved on the promotion of women and political
participation: Report of the Secretary-General (A/68/184), 2013,p.19
37
UN Women, Leadership and Political Participation, http://www.unwomen.org/en/what-we-do/leadership-and-
political-participation
legislative and constitutional reforms for the promotion of the womens political participation
constitute in good part of UNWOMEN works.38
Commission on Status of Women is another vital entity for the protection of rights of
women and for the promotion of the gender equality. CSW evaluated the theme of equal
participation of women and men in decision-making processes at all levels in their 50th
annual session.

IV. Womens Inclusive Political Participation

1. Types of Political Participation

Womens political participation cannot be limited to voting. Women can exercise
political participation by becoming advocates, activists, political party members and
candidates.39 As it can be inferred through the UN Reports, it is possible to examine womens
political participation under several categories. Women can demonstrate an active
participation within the legislative branch in national parliaments or by using their right to
representation/to vote. Female participation may be evaluated within the frame of the
executive branch in which Women occupy places in Government Positions or within the
scope of judicial branch in which women exercise their political participation as judges,
member of Supreme Courts. Beyond these, participation in other public bodies, in Non-
Governmental Organizations may also form criterions for the evaluation of this process.

2. Promotion of Womens Political Participation in Different Systems

The elections systems may have various impacts on the numbers of women that are
elected. For this reason, different system regarding elections must be treated as an important
element.
It is possible to distinct two main systems in most countries: proportional systems and
majority systems. In proportional systems the political parties submit lists of candidates and
voters must make a selection among the candidates determined in these lists. Pursuant to their
vote percentage, parties may obtain seats and the members at the top of the candidate lists
may also allocate seats in national parliaments. Thus the proportional systems can be used as
a tool for the empowerment of women in national parliaments. In other words, if women are

38
http://www2.unwomen.org/~/media/headquarters/attachments/sections/library/publications/2013/12/un%20wo
menlgthembriefuswebrev2%20pdf.ashx?v=2&d=20141013T121456
39
Women& Elections Guide to promoting the participation of women in elections, p. 13
placed on top of the lists, pursuant to the vote share, women can allocate seats without
manipulation.
On the other hand countries may apply majority systems. Generally a winner-take-all
logic rules over this system. A single seat may be allocated per constituency. For this reason
generally in such systems, parties are less likely to nominate women as their candidates.40
It is also possible to see in the mixed systems the opportunity for women to have great
numbers of seats.
Consequently, the promotion of womens participation in proportional systems
requires gender balanced lists. It is important to point out that certain countries have this in
their system as a legal obligation. Of course the implementation of the system may influence
the effectiveness.

Example: Bosnia and Herzegovina

The provisions regarding election systems in Bosnia and Herzegovina includes a
gender-responsive approach. A gender balance on party lists is accepted as a legal
41
requirement in order to ensure balanced representation. According to the relative
provisions: The minority gender candidates shall be distributed on the candidate list in the
following manner: at least one (1) minority gender candidate amongst the first two (2)
candidates; two (2) minority gender candidates amongst the first five (5) candidates; and
three (3) minority gender candidates amongst the first eight (8) candidates et seq. The number
of minority gender candidates shall be at least equal to the total number of candidates on the
list, divided by three (3) rounded to the closest integer.
Promoting womens participation in majority systems may be more limited in
comparison with the proportional systems but the countries have a several useful ways to
apply. As an example, revisions for political party laws may be effective and require a certain
number of women in each part candidates. As well as the political party constitutions may be
revised in conformity with this voluntary target.
Furthermore, womens wings can have a crucial role for empowerment of women in
political sphere. These entities may be a baseline for women to be active and use their
political skills. The womens wing may also be an important element in order to gain
effectiveness in women movements.

40
Ibid., p.24
41
Application of Quotas: Legal Reforms and Implementation in Bosnia and Herzegovina, p. 3-6
 Womens participation in political parties is not the only option for women to be
active in the political sphere. Non-governmental organizations constitute a favorable area for
women to develop their political skills and exercise their participation. Non-governmental
organizations are the opening door for women to enter into politics via the women movements
that are crucial for determining the visionary agenda for womens political participation.
Womens movements ensure awareness in society but particularly it is a unique opportunity
for women to develop a political background. Womens movements, thus The NGOs are also
the instruments of pressure against the political parties and with this influence women can
address seriously to all political parties. For all of these reasons the role of the NGOs is non-
negligible regarding the advancement of womens political participation.
Within this context media is another key factor in this process. Particularly Internet
and social media have an important role for raising awareness as well as for shaping voter
interest. Media is one of the key issues in all election periods. The more media gives place for
women candidates / advocates,, the more we may observe an advancement for womens
political participation.

3. Obstacles Regarding Womens Political Participation

2011 UN General Assembly Resolution states that: Women in every part of the world
continue to be largely marginalized from the political sphere, often as a result of
discriminatory laws, practices, attitudes and gender stereotypes, low levels of education,
lack of access to health care and the disproportionate effect of poverty on women.
Unfortunately, even if there are legal provisions protecting womens right for political
participation, it is often possible to observe obstacles against active female participation in
politics. Especially the traditional and patriarchal values constitute generally the baseline of
these obstacles. Financial resources, lower levels of education, less access to information,
greater family responsibilities and a deprivation of rights constitute main points of these
obstacles.42
The UN Human Rights Council Report regarding the discrimination against women in
law and in practice (A/ HRC/ 23/50) states these obstacles under several titles. With regard to
this report firstly the discriminatory family status may have a negative influence on womens
active participation in political sphere. The report states Patriarchal and discriminatory
family law or practice may limit womens freedom of occupation and freedom of movement in

42
Women & Elections Guide to promoting the participation of women in elections, p.34
the public space.43 Overcoming this problem requires reforms of family laws. For instance
the Case of Morocco can be given as a positive example, which achieved significant reform
on many fronts in the family code.44
In addition unequal caregiving responsibilities have also a negative impact on
womens motivation for active political participation. For instance In Norway, a direct causal
relationship between the presence of women in municipal councils and childcare coverage
was found.45
According to the report the Stereotypes of womens capacities and roles that
negatively affect womens effective participation in political life.46 Gender stereotypes are
one of the issues that international community has to tackle.
Moreover violence against women is another obstacle which undermines womens
capacity to effectively engage in political life. In political life various forms of violence is
used to silence and discredit women. Gender specific violence is used as an instrument against
female political figures. The Internet is also used as an instrument of threat against women. In
2012, recognizing the importance of eliminating violence against women in public and
political life, the General Assembly, in its resolution 66/130, called for an environment of
zero tolerance for violence against women elected officials and candidates for public office.47

V. Legal Framework

A constitutional and legal framework that ensures equal civil and political rights to
every person on a non-discriminatory basis is a must for every country. Non-discrimination
and equal rights are fundamental concepts raised by international human rights law. For this
reason, in conformity with the international human rights law every country should complete
the required attempts in order to empower the place of women in political sphere.
First of all a countrys constitution should state the equal rights of every citizen
including civil, political and electoral rights. Moreover international human rights instruments
such as Universal Declaration of Human Rights, human rights treaties, International Covenant
on Civil and Political Rights and the Convention On the Elimination of All Forms of
Discrimination against Women must be taken into consideration by the countries and the legal

43
HRC Report regarding the discrimination against women in law and in practice (A/ HRC/23/50)
44
Ibid.
45
K. A. Bratton and L. P. Ray, 2002, Descriptive Representation: Policy Outcomes and Municipal Day-Care
Coverage in Norway, American Journal of Political Science, 46(2), pp. 428437.
46
HRC Report regarding the discrimination against women in law and in practice (A/HRC/23/50)
47
Ibid.
provisions must be regulated in conformity with these instruments. The domestic law must
comply with the international provisions. Furthermore, the election law is an important
provision regarding the female political participation. All kind of discriminatory provisions
shall be abolished, existing in national election laws. Gender-sensitive election laws can
create a favorable environment for a healthy election conduct.

Special Measures
Pursuant to article 4, paragraph 1, of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms
of Discrimination against women, adoption by States Parties of temporary special measures
aimed an accelerating de facto equality between men and women shall not be considered
discrimination. In many electoral systems it is possible to observe such measures and the
application of these measures are one of the most effective short-term solutions that increase
the number of women participating actively in political spheres.
One of these special measures is to set aside a determined number of seats in the
legislature for women.48 Reserving seats is an effective way to guarantee the female
participation. Another effective special measure is to require that party lists contain a certain
proportion of women. However, it is important to point out that without an effective
enforcement mechanism these measure wouldnt reach its aim in short-term. Lastly another
manner is to adopt legislation, which promotes gender equality in national systems. Laws
written in a gender-responsive manner would play an important role regarding the
implementation of an equal, active participation.
The Special Measures are not sufficient in order to ensure an effective political
participation but key issue is the implementation and enforcement of these measures. For this
reason the judicial system and dispute resolution mechanisms must be effective in order to
resolve the problems arising out of the election process. Within this context, voter education
must be treated as a vital element. Women must be educated about a basic understanding of
the election complaint system. The dispute settlement mechanism must function in
compliance with the international human rights law, thus it must function in conformity with
the right to a due process.

Womens Political Participation In Post Conflict Countries

48
Women & Elections Guide to promoting the participation of women in elections, p.34
 The marginalization of women is often more piercing in post-conflict countries
because of the security situations, large numbers of refugees and other circumstances. Legal
frameworks and electoral processes in these countries must be formed in gender-sensitive
manners and ensure gender-balance in all bodies regarding elections. The United Nations
recognizes the need to protect and promote the right of women to participate electoral process,
particularly in post-conflict countries.49 Moreover, GA resolution 66/130 calls upon states in
situations of political transition to take effective steps to ensure the participation of women on
equal terms with men in all phases of political reform, from decisions on...reforms in existing
institutions to decisions regarding transitional governments, to the formulation of government
policy, to the means of electing new democratic governments.50

VI. Current Situation

Even if the equal political rights and equal political participation have not been
ensured, the advancements are non-negligible regarding the womens political participation.
However empowerment of active female participation still constitutes an urgency for todays
world. The gender inequality still persists in political sphere.
Women have gained ground in parliamentary representation in nearly 90 % of the 174
countries with data over the past 20 years. The average proportion of women in parliament
has nearly doubled during the same period. Yet still only one in five members are women.51

49
Ibid.
50
UN General Assembly, Women and political participation (A/RES/66/130), 2011, p. 3.
51
Millennium Development Goals Report 2015.
 There are wide variations between different regions. According to the data submitted
by Inter-Parliamentary Union and UNWOMEN, As of August 2015, these were: Nordic
countries, 41.1 %; Americas, 25.5 %; Europe excluding Nordic countries, 24.4 %; sub-
Saharan Africa, 23.0 %; Asia, 18.4 %; Middle East and North Africa, 17.1 %; and the
Pacific, 15.7 %.52
Single House Upper House Both Houses
or lower House or Senate combined
Nordic countries 41.1% --- ---
Americas 27.4% 25.7% 27.2%
Europe - OSCE member countries
25.9% 24.3% 25.5%
including Nordic countries
Europe - OSCE member countries
24.4% 24.3% 24.4%
excluding Nordic countries
Sub-Saharan Africa 23.4% 22.0% 23.2%
Arab States 19.0% 12.3% 17.9%
Asia 19.0% 13.2% 18.4%
Pacific 13.1% 36.0% 15.7%
According to the Inter-Parliamentary Union Worldwide, womens average share of
parliamentary membership nearly doubled between 1995 and 2015, from 11.3 % in 1995 to

52
Inter-parliamentary Union, Women in National Parliaments
 22.1 % in 2015.53 The worlds highest ranking countries have become more diverse: the top
10, dominated by eight European countries in 1995, now include four in Sub-Saharan Africa
and three each in the Americas and Europe.54

High representation countries and the use of gender quotas, 2015 55

Country Total seats Total women % women Quota

1. Rwanda 80 51 63.8 Yes#

2. Bolivia 130 69 53.1 Yes***
3. Andorra 28 14 50.0 No
4. Cuba 612 299 48.9 No
5. Seychelles 32 14 43.8 No
6. Sweden 349 152 43.6 Yes*
7. Senegal 150 64 42.7 Yes**
8. Finland 200 85 42.5 No
9. Ecuador 137 57 41.6 Yes**
10. South Africa 400 166 41.5 Yes*
11. Iceland 63 26 41.3 Yes*
11. Namibia 104 43 41.3 Yes*
12. Spain 350 144 41.1 Yes***
13. Mozambique 250 99 39.6 Yes*
13. Norway 169 67 39.6 Yes*
14. Belgium 150 59 39.3 Yes**
15. Nicaragua 92 36 39.1 Yes***
16. Timor-Leste 65 25 38.5 Yes**
17. Denmark 179 68 38.0 No
17. Mexico 500 190 38.0 Yes***
18. Netherlands 150 56 37.3 Yes*
19. Angola 220 81 36.8 Yes**
20. Slovenia 90 33 36.7 Yes***

* Political party quota ** Legislated quota *** Legislated and party quotas # Reserved seats

53
Women In Parliaments: 20 years in review, IPU, 2015
54
ibid
55
ibid
 According to the UNWOMEN calculations; As of August 2015, 13 women served as
Head of State and 12 served as Head of Government56

VII. Bloc Positions

1. Europe & the United States of America

Countries in Europe, aiming to follow EU gender equality laws and measures, saw a
remarkable progress regarding the womens inclusive political participation. However
substantial difference between West and East is non-negligible. From a regional perspective
Andorra saw a big jump in relation to the numbers of the seats in national parliament. (from
3.6% to 50% over the last 20 years). 4 countries applied legislative quotas as France, Portugal,
Spain and Belgium. Nevertheless the trends between Eastern and Western Europe differ. The
only European country to have fewer women in 2015 than in 1995 is Hungary, where
womens proportion dropped from 11.4% to 10.1% (-1.3 points).57 After the civil wars and
ethnic conflicts, the Balkan States also contributed to the great progress in Europe. Legislative
quotas adopted in these States as well.
In the United States of America, even if both two major political parties have quota
applications, quotas for women in elected positions have never been evaluated within the
scope of the political agenda. Nevertheless a possibility of having a female president in the
2016 elections is creating an active debate in the country.

56
UN Women calculation based on information provided to Permanent Missions to the United Nations
57
Women In Parliaments: 20 years in review, IPU, 2015
 2. Russia and Commonwealth of Independent States
Russia and CIS are still having an irregular progress. Generally women are not
included in policy and security issues and women are not allocated in high level in political
sphere. The progress is slow but this doesnt mean that the reforms are not introduced
regarding the empowerment of women.

3. Asia
In comparison with the other regions, Asia has a slower rate of change in womens
representation. By 2015 only Timor-Leste elected 38.5% of women. This is followed by
Nepal with 29.5% and Afghanistan with 27.7%. China elected 21% and Democratic Peoples
Republic of Korea elected 20.1% of women. Unfortunately in Afghanistan violence against
women is a serious factor regarding the marginalization of women considering the existing
attempts to remove women parliamentarians through assassination, kidnapping, threating etc.
After the revision of Afghanistan, the rate of reserved seats saw a reduction from 25 to 20%.
However in Singapore the women parliamentarians saw a substantial increase. Particularly
Japan saw a great progress regarding the issue. Especially Prime Minister Shinzo Abes
gender-sensitive approach played a critical role. The Prime Minister aimed to have 30 percent
58
of women leaders in government and in private sector by 2020. India also saw a weak
progress in relation to the womens political participation. The political parties approaches
required to be revised in a gender-responsive manner. Indonesia, in contrast saw a fall from
18.2 % to 16.8. The national election system still has negative effects on the proportionality

58
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2015/12/09/national/role-models-needed-abes-womenomics-work-
panel/#.Vm8pvzZppc4
between women and men in political sphere.

4. Africa
As a result of constitutional quotas and institutional changes African countries saw a
great progress regarding the issue. 12 countries have elected more than 30 women to their
lower or single houses; five have elected more than 40%; and one (Rwanda) has elected more
than 60%. Four of the worlds top 10 countries, in terms of womens share of single or lower
houses of parliament, are in Sub-Saharan Africa: Rwanda, with 63.8%; Seychelles, with
43.8%; Senegal, with 42.7%; and South Africa, with 41.5 percent.59

5. Arab States
Considering the womens political rights, it is possible to say that these rights and
opportunities for women are expanded. However, the differences between Arab States remain.
According to the Inter-Parliamentary Union data the State that has the highest proportion of
women in representation is Algeria.60 As advancement, in Saudi Arabia, women obtained
their right to vote in 2011 and female voters voted this December in Municipal Elections.61
On the other hand the expectations arose from Arab spring have not been realized yet.

6. Latin America and Caribbean States

There is a great progress regarding womens political participation. This progress can
be evaluated with the applied quota legislations. For instance, recently Chile, Colombia and
Uruguay adopted gender-responsive legislations. The first State which managed to increase its
30 % quota to 50 % was Ecuador. This followed by Costa Rica, Bolivia, Nicaragua, Panama
and Mexico. In the early 1990s the political parties in Mexico adopted quota regulations for
their candidates. Brazil, however constitutes a counter-example, as it saw a decrease by the
application of quotas. Although the expected increase couldnt be provided by this
application, women lobbies play an important role for Brazil.

59
Women In Parliaments: 20 years in review, IPU, 2015
60
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/eplibrary/EPRS-Background-Notes.pdf
61
http://edition.cnn.com/2015/12/11/world/saudia-arabia-women-vote/index.html
 VIII. Questions to Consider in A Resolution

What kind of additional special measures can be taken in order to provide womens
inclusive political participation?
Do the local particularities have an effect on womens political participation? Would it
be possible to found a certain coherence and unification under this local
particularities?
Would it be beneficial to provide a prioritization regarding different levels of womens
political participation? If yes, how this prioritization will be managed and what would
be the UNWOMENs role in this process?
What kind of attempts by UNWOMEN are required in order to provide a strong
progress in the countries which have a slower increase or which have a fall about the
rate of women participation?
What are encouraging strategies for promoting womens inclusive participation?
What kind of support can be provided for post-conflict countries for promotion of
womens active participation in political sphere?
What kind of solutions can be proposed for precluding the obstacles as violence
against women, gender stereotypes, education etc.?

IX. Further reading

A good start for research would be the review of Inter-Parliamentary Union regarding the
Women in Parliament: http://www.ipu.org/pdf/publications/WIP20Y-en.pdf
An Article compilation regarding the impacts of Beijing Declaration and Platform for
Action: Beijing +20: Looking Back and the Road Ahead; Reflections on Milestones in
Womens Leadership in the 21st Century:
https://www.wilsoncenter.org/sites/default/files/beijing%2B20_looking_back_and_the_ro
ad_ahead.pdf
A research about women and political participation, including regional comparisons:
https://idl-bnc.idrc.ca/dspace/bitstream/10625/43896/1/130393.pdf
A research analyzing the legislative recruitment process and includes data related to
electoral systems. Information can be found in the document about different regions:
 http://www.idea.int/publications/wip2/upload/3._Enhancing_Women's_Political_Participa
tion.pdf
The Report Regarding the Millennium Development Goals 2015. The Document is
beneficial in order to obtain a perception about the current situation:
http://www.un.org/millenniumgoals/2015_MDG_Report/pdf/MDG%202015%20rev%20(
July%201).pdf
A beneficial document regarding the reconstruction and development in post-conflict
countries and womens role in peacebuilding:
http://www.unwomen.org/~/media/Headquarters/Media/Publications/en/05APlanningand
Financing.pdf
A comprehensive guide addressing inequalities in electoral process; it includes strategies,
experiences of individuals. The document can be used in order to get a deepened idea
about the concept of inclusive political participation:
http://www.unwomen.org/~/media/headquarters/attachments/sections/library/publications/
2015/gender_equality_electoral-eng.pdf
A guidebook handling the range of actions by political parties in order to support women
in political sphere; it is beneficial to get some idea about the role of the political parties in
this process:
http://www.undp.org/content/dam/undp/library/gender/gender%20and%20governance/Em
poweringWomenFor%20StrongerPoliticalParties.pdf

X. Bibliography

Convention on the Elimination of All Forms Of Discrimination Against Women Full Text :
http://www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/cedaw/text/econvention.htm#article7
Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action Full Text:
http://www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/beijing/pdf/BDPfA%20E.pdf
UNWOMEN High-level Review on Women, Peace and Security: 15 years of Security
Council resolution 1325 : http://www.unwomen.org/en/news/in-focus/women-peace-
security
Human Rights Council, Report of the Working Group on the issue of discrimination
against women in law and in practice:
 http://www.ohchr.org/Documents/HRBodies/HRCouncil/RegularSession/Session23/A.HR
C.23.50_EN.pdf

The Millennium Development Goals Report 2015:

http://www.un.org/millenniumgoals/2015_MDG_Report/pdf/MDG%202015%20rev%20(J
uly%201).pdf
UN Security Council Press Release SC / 6942:
http://www.un.org/press/en/2000/20001031.sc6942.doc.html
United Nations Human Rights Office of the High Commissioner Womens Rights are
Human Rights : http://www.ohchr.org/Documents/Publications/HR-PUB-14-2.pdf
Beijing +20 Looking Back and the Road Ahead, Reflection on Milestones in Womens
Leadership in the 21st Century , Wilson Center:
https://www.wilsoncenter.org/sites/default/files/beijing%2B20_looking_back_and_the_ro
ad_ahead.pdf
The Institute for Inclusive Security, Strategies for Policymakers:
https://www.inclusivesecurity.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Negotiations_FINAL.pdf
Johannes Morsink, Womens rights in the Universal Declaration, Human Rights
Quarterly, vol. 13, No. 2 (May 1991)
UN General Assembly, Measures taken and progress achieved on the promotion of women
and political participation: Report of the Secretary-General (A/68/184), 2013:
http://daccess-dds-
ny.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/N13/406/99/PDF/N1340699.pdf?OpenElement
UNWOMEN, Womens Leadership and Political Participation:
http://www2.unwomen.org/~/media/headquarters/attachments/sections/library/publicatio
ns/2013/12/un%20womenlgthembriefuswebrev2%20pdf.ashx?v=2&d=20141013T121456
Women& Elections, Guide to promoting the participation of women in elections,
Published by United Nations:
http://www.un.org/womenwatch/osagi/wps/publication/WomenAndElections.pdf
Application of Quotas: Legal Reforms and Implementation in Bosnia and Herzegovina,
Besima Boric , National Gender Task Force Office, Bosnia & Herzegovina:
http://www.quotaproject.org/CS/CS_BiH-boric.pdf
 K. A. Bratton and L. P. Ray, 2002, Descriptive Representation: Policy Outcomes and
Municipal Day-Care Coverage in Norway, American Journal of Political Science, 46(2),
pp. 428437.
UN General Assembly, Women and political participation (A/RES/66/130):
http://www.un.org/ga/search/view_doc.asp?symbol=A/RES/66/130&Lang=E
Inter-Parliamentary Union, Women in National Parliaments : http://www.ipu.org/wmn-
e/world.htm
Inter-Parliamentary Union, Women in Parliament 20 Years in review:
http://www.ipu.org/pdf/publications/WIP20Y-en.pdf
UNWOMEN, Facts and Figures: Leadership and Participation:
http://www.unwomen.org/en/what-we-do/leadership-and-political-participation/facts-and-
figures
UNWOMEN, Global Norms and Standards : http://www.unwomen.org/en/what-we-
do/leadership-and-political-participation/global-norms-and-standards
UNWOMEN, Constitutions and Legal Reform : http://www.unwomen.org/en/what-we-
do/leadership-and-political-participation/constitutions-and-legal-reform
Japan Times, Role models needed for Abes womenomics to work: panel:
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2015/12/09/national/role-models-needed-abes-
womenomics-work-panel/#.Vm_VnjZppc5
European Parliamentary Research Service, Background notes on 12 countries:
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/eplibrary/EPRS-Background-Notes.pdf
Saudi Women Set For Historic Vote : http://edition.cnn.com/2015/12/11/world/saudia-
arabia-women-vote/index.html
Womens participation and inclusive peace processes: lessons learned from Mindanao
and beyond March 2015, Submission to the Global Study on Women, Peace and Security:
http://www.c-r.org/downloads/CR%20submission_1325%20Global%20Study.pdf
Conciliation Resources, Gender in Peacebuilding: http://www.c-
r.org/downloads/CR_Gender_peacebuilding.pdf
Inter-Parliamentary Union, Women Politicians in the Media : http://www.ipu.org/wmn-
e/media.htm
Mansbridge, J. (1998). Feminism and Democracy. In: A. Phillips (ed.), Feminism and
Politics. Oxford, New York: Oxford University Press
 United Nations Development Programme; Power, Voice and Right: A Turning Point for
Gender Equality in Asia and the Pacific: http://hdr.undp.org/sites/default/files/rhdr-2010-
asiapacific.pdf