pols 3620 presentation gender quota
TRANSCRIPT
TO BE DISCUSSED
• Introduction:• Definition• Origin
• Arguments for and against
• Result: changes on the horizon
• The Chinese perspective
• Conclusion
DEFINING QUOTA SYSTEM
• An affirmative measure: • establishes a fixed percentage or
number for the nomination or representation of a specific group, i.e. women
• Goal: • to increase the participation of under-
represented groups in decision-making positions
CHEN Ying
A TYPOLOGY
• Two dimensions: • where the quotas system is mandated• The level of the selection and
nomination process
CHEN Ying
THE EUROPEAN EXPERIENCE
The European Parliament:
19% 27% following the 1994 election
30% of the enlarged parliament elected in 2004.
The Nordic countries: Average of 39.7 percent.
Isabel Naucler
‘QUOTA FEVER’
• A dynamic quota development happening around the world.-Legal quotas
• Only reached a few countries in Europe
Isabel Naucler
WOMEN´S ROLE
• Europe: individual focus compared to the family oriented focus in Asia.
• Education and career is often as important to male as to female, since women wish to support for themselves and not rely on theirhusband/partner.
Isabel Naucler
PROGRESS CAUGHT IN
BOTTLENECK
• Viviane Reding, European commissioner for justice
• Legislation to install a gender quota of at least 40% in company boards across EU
• The great division
• Plan suspended for more discussion, till TODAY
CHEN Ying
ARGUMENTS AGAINST THE USE OF
QUOTAS
• Quotas are undemocratic & goes against the principle of equal opportunity for all.
• Politcal representation: about ideas & interest, not gender.
• Quotas imply that gender is more important that qualifications.
• Quotas can cause conflict within the parliament/organization.
• Do not change the view of women’s roles.
• Women often do not want to get elected just because of their sex.
• Instead of quotas: improve education, give more financial support and use flexible maternity leave.
Isabel Naucler
ARGUMENTS FOR THE USE OF
QUOTAS• Equal representations are women's rights as citizens.
• ‘Real equality of opportunity’
• Election is about representation not about educational qualifications.
• Conflicts from introducing quotas are likely to be temporarily.
• Quotas compensate for the barriers that are preventing women from their share of the political seats.
• Women's experiences are needed in politics.
• Women are as qualified as men, but that is not visible in a male-dominated political system.
• Improving education and training skills, giving more financial support and to use flexible maternity leave should not be used instead of quotas, but together with a quota system for the desired outcome.
Isabel Naucler
WOMEN IN TRADITIONWords for you:1. Ignorance is bliss2. “Three Obediences”
and “Four Virtues”
CHEN Ying
HOLDING UP HALF THE SKY?
• Central decision-making• NPC: around 21% since 1983• CCP Portfolio: 1 out of 24 (LIU Yandong)
• 10% vice-ministerial or provincial-level leaders
• 1-2 % of the local decision-making positions
• 7.2% of board directors
CHEN Ying
A MIXED PROSPECT
• Legal ground:• Principle of equality as stated in Constitution
and other laws• YET
• Ambiguity: eg. In electoral law, “appropriate amount” instead of mandated quota
• Lack of ratification of relevant international laws
• Institutional: • Lack of enforcement, petition, and
supervision mechanism • Lack of effective elections at all levels
CHEN Ying
A MIXED PROSPECT(Cont’d)
• Societal value: "Men should mainly focus on career and women should be family oriented.”
• 62% of men and 55% of women agreed• Increased by 7.7% and 4.4% for men
and women respectively, compared to views in 2000
A resurgence of traditional gender roles?
-- invalidating economic recession and gender role reversion?
CHEN Ying
CONCLUSION
• EU experiences: Utility and Necessity• With appropriate implementation, quota
system increases women representation, changes women’s role, AND improves decision outcomes
• Quota system as a means, not an end• To break the “glass ceiling”• To be removed/replaced after achieving
genuine gender equality
CHEN Ying
CONCLUSION (Cont’d)
• China perspective: • Feasibility: Legal, institutional, societal constraints• Fundamental obstacle: political system
• Differences with EU countries a slow track first• Raise social awareness (woman’s self-
actualization) and understanding of quota system• Enhance women’s core competences
• Political Reform: pressure on top leadership
CHEN Ying