Women are prone to bring transparency, responsibility and fair attitudes in politics. Researches on behalf of World Bank have indicated that there is lower rate of corruption in nations with greater number of women in parliament. Similarly, various other surveys have concluded that women are more trustworthy than men. Nigeria is epitome. In 2003, after the corruption watchdog Transparency International ranked it as the most corrupt nation in the world, Ngozi Okanjo- Iweala left her post as a vice-president at World Bank to overcome the country’s finance minister, and by 2005, Transparency International termed Nigeria as one of 21 most improved states. Thus, women’s involvement in government enables every politician to be aware of corruption and unfair attitudes.-128
Female politicians act as backbone of conflict resolution and foreign policy. As Francis Fukuyama wrote in Foreign Affairs in 1998, “Women’s political leadership would bring about a more cooperative and less conflict-prone world”. They usually seem to focus on ways how to bring global peace rather than to go for war. As Pumla Gobodo- Madikizela, a South African clinical psychologist says, “If we put women in leadership, they have degree of tolerance, an understanding that allows them to persist even when things seem to be very bad.” She further says, “Unlike men, they have the power and emotional inclination to hold onto hope when it comes to negotiating with former enemy countries.” Similarly, women seem more likely to adopt broad definition of security and to come forward with wide aspects of conflict management and international relations.-134
Women are naturally and emotionally more conscious about human rights and environment. Eleanor Roosevelt came ahead with the idea of human rights for the first time in human history in 1948 in UN and thus helped in the formulation of Universal Declaration of Human Righrs-1948. Similarly, Wangari Mathai, Noble Peace Prize- 200 winner started Green Peace Movement in1977 through which she has been able to plant ten million seedlings to date with the help of Kenyan women. Likewise, her women groups in Kenya stood bravely in against of one-party dictatorship so as to save Uhuru (Freedom) Park in downtown Nairobi which inspired whole people of Kenya to skirmish for human rights and democratic government. So, once such women have place in politics, human welfare and environmental preservation can yield great output to mankind.-135
Even if women have so much to contribute through politics, present statistics indicates miserable data. As per a recent World Economic Forum report covering 115 countries, women have reached only 15% regarding political empowerment at highest levels. Even if some nations have some sort of quota system, Inter- Parliamentary Union showed that women fill only 17% of parliamentary seats worldwide and 14% of ministerial level positions. Similarly, it is a huge plight that in many Arabic countries like Saudi Arabia, female still do not enjoy right to vote. In 2005, in Afghanistan, women running for parliament reported several attacks and many others ever blame of abuses and rape cases. So, it is indeed necessary to create proper atmosphere for women to participate in politics freely.-120
So, world cannot sideline females to march for betterment. Unlike men, women possess special qualities that help in maintaining fair and corruption free politics, peace environment and social welfare. Their efforts in governing can be a milestone for globalization and cooperation bringing unity among the global people for rational development, keeping our paradise earth still green. Hence, women’s involvement in politics should not be boycotted rather welcomed universally because world can only be a better place if more politicians are female.-81
Total words in the essay: 810
-The End-
References:
- Foreign Affairs, May/June, 2007; Let Women Rule- Swanee Hunt
- A rising Public Voice, Women in Politics Worldwide, Edited by Alida Brill;Women, Information and The future- Wangari Mathai
