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.