Women’s minimal leadership role in national and local political spheres remains a serious concern worldwide. The Commonwealth Gender Plan of Action for Gender Equality 2005–2015 calls on governments to introduce measures to promote at least 30 per cent representation of women in parliament, government and business. The Impact of Women’s Political Leadership on Democracy and Development describes the barriers to women’s political participation and explains why the contribution of women is so crucial to democracy. It identifies established strategies – electoral reform (New Zealand), party voluntary quotas (South Africa), and legislative quotas (Bangladesh and India) – that have helped these Commonwealth countries to meet the global target of 30 per cent and thus to effectively advance the participation of women in decision-making at all levels.

The empowerment of women by their increased participation in all aspects of political, social and economic life has become one of the major goals of democratic and participatory movements, as well as women's organizations, throughout the world. This book examines the vital interaction of women's increasing participation, decision-making and empowerment. Marilee Karl also examines the legal, economic and social obstacles faced by women around the world. She provides vivid examples of women responding to those challenges. Beyond offering an understanding of what participation and empowerment are and can be, this book seeks to promote women's participation whether at the grassroots or at national and international levels. The book looks at the growing involvement of women in different organizations, politics and public life, development programmes and international decision-making. It outlines the strategies, mechanisms and tools that women are using for their empowerment and explains new priorities and perspectives that women are bringing to today's key issues.

This book examines women’s participation in social, economic and political development in West Africa. The book looks at women from the premise of being active agents in the development processes within their communities, thereby subverting the dominate narrative of women as passive recipients of development.

Development Is Not Sex Neutral. It Is Biased Against The Fair Sex. Of Course, The World Has Progressed And Some Benefits Are Percolated To Women. But An Inferior Rol Is Ascribed To Them In All Societies. The Are Alienated And Discriminated Everything At The Criminal Wastage Of Halt Of The Human Resources. At Present, The Common Sense Of Participatory Development Compels Planners As Well As Policy Makers To Extend The Same Logic To Involve Women To Accelerated The Pace Prosperity.

Annotation Makes recommendations for removing the barriers women face in contributing to and benefiting from sustainable economic development. International experience has proved that support for a stronger role for women in society contributes to economic growth through improved child survival rates, better family health, and reduced fertility rates. Nevertheless, women still face many barriers in contributing to and benefiting from development. These include low investment in female education and health and restricted access to services and assets. This study highlights five areas that could help change this inequitable situation: education, health, wage labor, agriculture and natural resource management, and financial services. A gender and development strategy is suggested that would take into account the relative roles and responsibilities of women and men, implying that the actions and attitudes of men must change. The ideas presented in this paper are an example of the World Bank's commitment to mainstreaming gender concerns into its operations. Although significant steps have already been taken in this direction, there remains a long road ahead. Also available: French (ISBN 0-8213-3023-3) Stock No. 13023; Spanish (ISBN 0-8213-3024-1) Stock No. 13024.

From women's participation in national elections to female decision-making in community livelihood initiatives, this book highlights three main approaches to strengthening women's leadership and participation: Overcoming structural barriers, supporting women, and encouraging women to carry out leadership roles effectively for progressive purposes.