The problem of ensuring that women are at the heart of political
decision-making is now very topical in Europe. This is because, despite
all of the international agreements, the research, the recommendations
and the untold other efforts, the participation of women in political
bodies remains low in most European countries. European governance, in
short, still fails to include 50 per cent of women in its political
decision-making.
Why do political leaders attach importance to this issue? The
under-representation of women in national parliaments poses a problem in
terms of both the practice and the theory of politics. In practical
terms, the under-representation of women in political leadership is even
more remarkable when one realizes that women have succeeded in gaining
access to other sectors of society in many European countries. Moreover,
equality between men and women is now a leading political principle all
over Europe. Taking part in decision-making however, in politics as well
as in the private sector, typically remains a male privilege.
This book explains the high level of current concern for the
under-representation of women in politics. It explores the reasons
behind recent favourable attitudes towards sharing political power with
women in the Netherlands, and in other European countries. It identifies
the many obstacles and strategies and it points out future expectations
about the representation of women in Europe. Under which circumstances
can political players be influenced to change institutions and
procedures in favour of newcomers to politics. The current 'crisis of
politics' opens a window of opportunity for changing the underlying
male-biased structures.
