Tag: Gender Equality

Representation and Leadership: The Role of Women in Contemporary Politics

In the majority of societies across the world and history, women have not played an important role in democracy. Throughout history, women have not been recognized as important figures due to the patriarchal structures that dominated many societies, which relegated them to domestic roles and limited their participation in public life.

This, combined with restricted access to education, gender stereotypes that viewed them as “less capable”, exclusion from positions of power and a lack of historical documentation, contributed to their achievements being minimized or ignored.

Nevertheless, the change started in 1791 with the French Revolution when women not only made a great impact but also they demanded a legal reform. Women played a fundamental role in the French Revolution, promoting legal and social reforms, fighting for equal rights and actively participating in political and social transformation, although they did not achieve all their objectives at that time.

This mobilization helped lay the groundwork for future movements that would seek women’s rights. That’s because the real difference would not come until the XIX century when suffrage was a real thing and later when they have gone from being individuals devoted to family life and procreation to actively joining and becoming involved in the political life of the country. Therefore, women’s participation is key to democracies, as they need women to preserve their authenticity, and women need democracy to change the systems and laws that prevent them and society as a whole from achieving equality.

Feminist leadership has not been easy, it has come a long way to achieve it and there are still obstacles that limit its progress towards true and complete gender equality in positions of power. However, the statistics are growing on their way to development. Since 2014 to 2024, the percentage of women holding seats in national parliaments has increased 5,6%. And regarding national governments they have experienced an increase of 7,4%.

Despite that progress there are some countries that have not grown that much so it’s a long journey to equity yet. As we move forward in 2025, the data obtained reflect both progress and barriers that persist and face women in today’s world.

Right now, women have managed to break barriers and occupy leadership positions that had historically been denied to them, but the situation of female leaders in Europe remains a minority on the continent. Of 50 countries, only 15 have a female prime minister or head of state, excluding monarchs.

There are numerous examples of women who have broken stereotypes and built outstanding political careers, dedicating their work to the fight for women’s rights and gender equality:

Bibiana Aido, Spanish PSOE politician:

Aído is a Spanish politician from the PSOE. Since January 2017, she has been the representative of UN Women in Ecuador. She was Minister of Equality of the Government of Spain from April 2008 to October 2010. In the following legislature, this ministry was integrated into the Ministry of Health, Social Policy and Equality, so Aído was Secretary of State for Equality until July 22, 2011, when she left her post to join UN Women as a special advisor in September of that year. She thus became the youngest minister up to that time: she was 31 years old when she took office.

Roberta Metsola, Maltese lawyer and politician:

She is a Maltese lawyer and politician specialising in European politics. She has been the President of the European Parliament since 18 January 2022. Since 11 January 2022, she assumed the interim presidency following the unexpected death of David Sassoli and is the third woman to hold the presidency of this institution after Simone Veil and Nicole Fontaine. She is also the youngest person to hold the presidency of the European Parliament and has been a Member of the European Parliament since 2013, re-elected in 2019. Also, in October 2020, Metsola assumed the first vice-presidency of the European Parliament.

Emma Bonino, Italian politician:

She is an Italian politician and member of the Italian Parliament. She is known for her Europeanism and her defence of women’s rights. Between 1995 and 1999 she was European Commissioner for Fisheries and Humanitarian Aid in the Santer Commission. She also worked especially on campaigns against female genital mutilation, the rights of Afghan women and the fight against child prostitution and in 1998 she received the “Prince of Asturias Award for International Cooperation”. In 2013-2014 she was Minister of Foreign Affairs of Italy.

Élisabeth Borne, a French civil engineer and politician:

She is a French civil engineer and politician who served as Prime Minister of France from 2022 to 2024 and is a member of the La République en Marche (LREM) party. She was Minister of Labour, Employment and Integration from 2020 to 2022; Minister of Ecological and Inclusive Transition from 2019 to 2020; and Minister of Transport from 2017 to 2019. In addition, she was Prime Minister of France from 16 May 2022 to 8 January 2024, becoming the second woman to hold the office after Édith Cresson. She declared herself a feminist and promoted measures for equal pay and the fight against gender violence.

Manuela Carmena Castrillo, Spanish labor lawyer, magistrate, judge emeritus and politician:

She is a Spanish labor lawyer, magistrate, judge emeritus and politician who was mayor of Madrid from June 2015 to June 2019. Prior to entering municipal politics, she also served as a member of the General Council of the Judiciary between 1996 and 2001. She fought for women’s rights and promoted gender equality in local politics.

Sanna Mirella Marin, finnish politics:

She is a Finnish politician who was Prime Minister of Finland from December 2019, and Chairwoman of the Social Democratic Party of Finland from August 2020 to 6 April 2023. Following the 2023 Finnish parliamentary election, in which the SDP came third, the Marin government formally resigned. She had previously served as Minister of Transport and Communications, from June to December 2019. She was the youngest head of government in the country’s history. Since retiring from politics in 2023, she has worked as a consultant for former British Prime Minister Tony Blair’s Institute for Global Change.

To sum up, the rise of women in politics is the result of progress in education, policy reforms, and activism. Education empowers women with the skills and confidence to lead, breaking stereotypes and fostering future female leaders. Policy changes, such as gender quotas and equal pay laws, have created opportunities for women to access leadership roles. Meanwhile, activism has driven these changes, challenging biases and advocating for greater representation.

While progress has been made, challenges remain. Continued efforts in education, legal reforms, and activism are essential to achieving true gender equality in politics.

2025-03-11
Promoting Gender Equality: Inspiring Stories of Women Driving Change in Europe

In recent years, the European Union (EU) has placed significant emphasis on promoting gender equality within its institutions and across its member states. This effort to foster a more inclusive and equitable society is grounded in the belief that everyone—regardless of gender, sexual orientation, religious beliefs, or other aspects of diversity—deserves the opportunity to lead the life they envision, succeed both socially and economically, and actively participate in shaping the society in which they live.

Historically, women have faced greater obstacles in securing leadership positions and becoming key agents of development and change. Despite these challenges, many have broken barriers and achieved remarkable success. Today, thanks to more inclusive legislation and shifting societal attitudes, we see an increasing number of women in leadership roles, making significant contributions to their communities and across Europe.

In this article, we highlight the inspiring journeys of three extraordinary women who have made a meaningful impact through their work and dedication.

Danila De Stefano

Danila De Stefano exemplifies how personal experience can inspire impactful change within a community. Leveraging her expertise in psychology, De Stefano has dedicated herself to dismantling the stigma surrounding mental health. After earning a degree in Clinical Psychology from Sapienza University in Rome, she worked as a research assistant at Goldsmiths, University of London, and gained hands-on experience in various psychiatric clinics and charities. When she encountered significant difficulty in finding a therapist who spoke her native language, she conceived the idea of Unobravo—an online therapeutic service.

In just three years, Unobravo expanded rapidly, employing over 2,500 psychologists and psychotherapists, and supporting more than 80,000 patients. In 2021, Unobravo was recognized in Forbes Italia’s “Under 30” list in the Healthcare category, and in 2022, it received the prestigious “Entrepreneur of the Year” award in the start-up category from EY.

Today, Danila De Stefano serves as an inspiring figure for women seeking to revolutionize their fields through innovation and vision.

Cristina Bentué

Cristina Bentué offers a visionary perspective on the future of technology, emphasizing collaboration, inclusion, and narrowing the gender gap in STEM fields.

Currently a leader in the cybersecurity sector, Bentué is the co-founder and Chief Operating Officer of IriusRisk, a start-up that employs 150 people across three continents and counts major clients like IBM Security and Red Hat. Born and raised in Spain, she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish Language and Literature from the National Distance Education University in Madrid.

Her interest in technology was sparked after moving to Barcelona, where she immersed herself in the city’s vibrant start-up ecosystem. Motivated to empower young women in STEM, Bentué has spearheaded numerous initiatives designed to inspire girls to pursue careers in technology, equipping them with both the skills and confidence to succeed.

Cristina Bentué stands as a role model for women navigating male-dominated industries, demonstrating that perseverance and dedication can lead to success in even the most challenging fields.

Sofija Todorović

Sofija Todorović, a feminist and human rights advocate from Serbia, is another powerful example of a woman working to improve European society.

A law graduate from the University of Belgrade, Todorović currently serves as the Program Director of the Youth Initiative for Human Rights (YIHR) in Serbia. She is deeply involved in educating the public about transitional justice, human rights, and conflict resolution.

Despite facing personal risks, including physical injury, Todorović remains undeterred in her fight against authoritarianism and nationalism in the Balkans. She organizes pride marches and advocates for greater equality for people of all genders and sexual orientations in Serbian society. Over the past decade, her articles and workshops have reached more than 10,000 people, spreading her message of inclusivity and justice.

In recognition of her tireless commitment to human rights, Todorović has received numerous accolades, including the Ledolomac Human Rights Prize from Serbia’s Liberal Democratic Party in 2018, the Feminist Achievement Award from BeFem in 2019, the Ordinary Heroes Recognition from the Post-Conflict Research Centre in Bosnia and Herzegovina in 2020, and the Human Rights Defender Award from Civic Initiatives in Belgrade in 2021.

These three exceptional women have turned their personal challenges into opportunities for growth and societal change, whether by building successful enterprises or by shaping their communities for the better. What sets them apart, however, is their commitment to sharing their success with others—particularly women who may lack the resources or confidence to pursue their goals.

True empowerment is achieved not through individual success alone, but through collective action and support. By fostering a culture of collaboration and inclusivity, we can ensure that no one is left behind. Real societal progress will come when every person has access to the tools and opportunities they need to pursue their dreams.

Bianca Finessi, student of the University of Bologna.

2024-12-06
Why Gender Equality Matters in Civic Engagement

Over the past year, citizens across various nations have participated in critical elections. In June, Europeans cast their votes for a new Parliament, while more recently, the United States chose its next President. Despite the distance between these elections, a shared theme emerged across debates: the vital role of women’s voices in today’s political landscape. Candidates increasingly recognize that, in tightly contested races, a commitment to gender equality can be a deciding factor.

The European Union has made notable strides toward gender equality, including the ratification of the Istanbul Convention in 2023, a significant step in the fight against gender-based violence. Despite this progress, many societal and structural barriers continue to hinder women’s full participation in politics and impede career advancement. Women often face unique challenges that limit their access to leadership roles. From a young age, many women are raised in environments that undervalue their potential, leading to self-doubt and deterring them from pursuing positions of authority. Additionally, women frequently have limited access to critical resources like time, financial support, and political networks. Domestic and caregiving responsibilities also tend to fall more heavily on women, restricting the time they can dedicate to their careers.

The scarcity of female role models in mainstream media further compounds this issue, making it difficult for aspiring female leaders to envision a path in politics. Patriarchal structures within political parties often make it challenging for women to achieve leadership roles in male-dominated fields.

On a positive note, these challenges mean that when women do pursue political office, they often do so with significant resolve and careful consideration. Female candidates who succeed tend to be exceptionally qualified and often excel in their roles, achieving notable progress and innovation. This is, in part, because the obstacles they face drive them to be exceptionally well-prepared and focused.

Gender equality is critical for a robust democracy. When more women assume influential roles, legislation better reflects the needs of the entire population. For instance, female leaders are more likely to champion issues often overlooked, such as healthcare inequalities, where conditions affecting women frequently lack adequate research. Additionally, increased representation helps combat patriarchal norms, leading to enhanced protections for women against domestic, sexual, and economic violence.

A society with laws that support gender equality is more likely to invest in equal educational opportunities for young girls, which can contribute to a reduction in poverty levels. Access to education and opportunities has a profound effect on women’s socio-economic stability, especially for single mothers, who often face financial hardship.

Currently, despite the European Union’s commitment to gender equality, women remain underrepresented in government and parliaments across the EU. Yet, the EU has achieved more substantial progress than many other governing bodies. As of February 2024, women accounted for 39.9% of the European Parliament, surpassing the EU national parliaments’ average of 31.6%. [1] However, disparities in female representation persist among Member States, both at the European and national levels.

One effective way to tackle women’s underrepresentation in politics is through changes to electoral systems. Today, eleven Member States enforce binding gender quotas for European elections—Belgium, Greece, Spain, France, Croatia, Italy, Luxembourg, Poland, Portugal, Romania, and Slovenia. While these quotas have helped increase female representation, biases still linger, with voters often underestimating women’s leadership potential.
Educating voters could help counter these biases. Encouraging citizens to become informed about candidates and discussing influential female political figures can foster positive role models for future generations.

One initiative making an impact in this area is DemocrAid, a project that empowers young women in politics through civic education, mentorship, and exposure to female role models. By addressing topics such as equality and women’s rights, DemocrAid provides young women with a comprehensive understanding of the political landscape and how they can make a difference. Through events, participants interact with accomplished female leaders, offering both inspiration and practical examples of leadership. DemocrAid’s mentorship program further supports young women, helping them build confidence and navigate political spaces. The project’s mission is to inspire a new generation of informed, empowered female leaders ready to make a difference in their communities.
In conclusion, while it can be discouraging to observe the current rates of female representation in political leadership, individuals and initiatives like DemocrAid are working to change this reality. As citizens, we have the power to shape our communities, making it worthwhile to support and engage with projects that advance gender equality and women’s leadership in politics.

Bianca Finessi, student of the University of Bologna.

Reference

1) I. Zamfir, Women in politics in the 2024 election year, “Epthinkthank”, 2024.

2024-11-12