Base Line Study on the Situation on Women in Politics, Sweden

Swedish gender equality policy

Main objective Women and men must have the same power to shape society and their own lives.

Main strategyGender mainstreaming!

Swedish gender equality policy

Interim objectives• Equal division of power and influence. Women and men must

have the same rights and opportunities to be active citizens and to shape the conditions for decision-making.

• Economic equality. Women and men must have the same opportunities and conditions as regards education and paid work which give economic independence throughout life.

• Equal distribution of unpaid housework and provision of care. Women and men must have the same responsibility for housework and have the opportunity to give and receive care on equal terms.

• Men's violence against women must stop. Women and men, girls and boys, must have the same right to, and possibility of physical integrity.

Quantitative and qualitative gender equalityQuantitative gender equality is the aim in all spheres of society. An equal distribution exists when sex ratio is within the range of 40% to 60%.Qualitative gender equality means that both women's and men's knowledge, experiences and values are utilized and affect all spheres of society.

Gender segregation in society The horizontal segregation in politics means that women and

men are represented in different policy areas. Women are relatively well represented in the so-called "soft“ areas while you find men in the “hard” areas.

Vertical segregation means that you find men at the leading positions in society.

EU• Sweden joined the EU in 1995.• Sweden has currently 20 members of the EU

Parliament, 9 women and 11 men.• In 2009, women and men voted roughley to the same

extent.• The proportion of women elected has increased in the

last two elections (2004 and 2009) and are now over 50%.

• The Swedish EU commissioner is a woman, Cecilia Malmström, responsible for the Home Affairs portfolio with the focus on two main policy areas: migration and security.

National level• The Government

Of the government's 24 ministers 13 are women (54%) in 2013.

• The Swedish parliament The distribution according to gender

Local levelThe share of women and men among the elected representatives in

municipalities after position and level 2003-2011. Percent . 2003 2007 2011 .

F M F M F M Position Chairperson 30 70 31 69 33 67Vice chairperson 35 65 38 62 41 59Members 42 58 42 48 43 57Subsitutes 42 58 43 57 44 56LevelMunicipal executive board 36 64 39 61 41 59City council 42 58 42 58 43 57Other boards 43 57 44 56 44 56

Regional level

The share of women in the county councils 2011. Percent F M .PositionChairperson 48 52Vice chairperson 47 53Other board members 50 50Subsitutes 49 51 .

Factors affecting the gender distribution

• List placement

• First name

• Turnover

• Drop-outs

• Personal votes

Participation in elections

Measures undertaken to get a quantitative gender equality i politics

• Alternating lists. ”Varannan Damernas”• List placement• Gender quotas

• Education• Mentorship• Networking• Role models

Gender distribution Swedish Liberal Party

Women % Men%• All members 45,00 55,00• Government 50,00 50,00• European Parliament 66,67 33,33• Parliament 41,67 58,3• Members of the municipal assembly 42,00 58,00• Members of the municipal executive board 38,00 62,00• Mayor/deputy mayor 39,00 61,00• Municipal group leader 32,00 68,00• Member of local housing committee 29,64 69,40• “ social “ 57,00 43,00• Chairperson/vice cp, municipal companies 24,00 76,00• Members of county/regional councils 47,59 52,41• County council, executive committee42,00 48,00• Vice chair/opposition leader County council 44,44 55,56• County council, group leader 35,00 65,00• Chairperson, local association 34,04 65,96• Chairperson, municipal association 33,50 66,50• Chairperson, regional association 36,00 64,00