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More women needed in politics: Expert
Web posted at: 11/14/2009 7:10:54
Source ::: THE PENINSULA
Qatar's delegate at the conference.
By Joyce C Abaño
DOHA: An expert said women in the Middle East and North African (MENA) Region
should be encouraged to assume more roles in politics.
Ines Selvood, an official of the Mujeres en Igualdad (MEI), a non-government
organisation (NGO) from Argentina which is a member of the United Nations
Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC), said Latin American women's
participation in politics has increased. Women in the MENA Region should also
be encouraged to enter politics.
Selvood said various countries in different continents have benefited from the
increased participation of women in politics and it may be argued that similar
successes could also be replicated in the political arena of this part of the
world.
"Studies have shown that women are less corrupt than men and these studies have
also shown that women are really good organisers and are very much receptive to
the plight of the people," Selvood said in an interview on the sidelines of the
3rd Session of the Conference of the State Parties to the United Nations
Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) held at the Doha Sheraton Hotel, which
concluded yesterday.
According to her, the NGO MEI Argentina is encouraging women to have more
access to information and should be better educated to seriously penetrate
politics.
Selvood said their organisation is continually aiming to provide information
and recommendations to show opportunities for increasing women's political
participation, like revising education, and establishing quota systems, among
others.
"Latin America was a male-dominated society not so long ago and the men were
the ones who ran and got elected to office. We have seen that corruption then
was terrible, so the people thought we needed to bring some new people with new
ideals. and the women started raising their voice and asked for equal roles in
politics."
Selvood said their organisation is "happy to share our expertise if invited to
have a talk here."
To start a career in politics, Selvood suggested women could participate in
civil society organizations, be trained and educated, and have access to
information. Selvood divulged MEI Argentina has "identified the lack of access
to information as a major source of corruption and therefore has focused on
supporting women to exercise this right."
"I am glad women are now taking active roles in politics in Latin America . two
countries now have female presidents there . Unlike before, women in Latin
America now do not just quit school, get married and be a housewife, they have
degrees and professions and fill public spaces that are mostly filled by men."
MEI works for political equality, anti-corruption strategies, gender violence
and women trafficking, among others, said Selvood.
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