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By Iuga Daria
The path to women's political participation has been more than difficult, typified by numerous struggles for equality and awareness. The right to vote, often viewed as a fundamental democratic right, wasn’t always bestowed on women. Historically, politics was discerned as an exclusively male domain, and it required decades of steady advocacy, organized protests, and global reforms for women to break these barriers and acquire their merited place in the sphere of governance and decision-making.
The voting journey began in the mid-19th century, with the Seneca Falls Convention in 1848 in the United States serving as an incitation for the women’s suffrage movement. Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony played leading roles in advocating for voting rights. Similar movements emerged in Europe, such as the Women's Social and Political Union (WSPU) in the United Kingdom, led by Emmeline Pankhurst. After years of protests and civil disobedience, some countries began to permit women the right to vote, the first one being New Zealand in 1893. Other states followed suit, for instance Finland in 1906. There were also major victories in the U.S. (1920) and the UK (1918 for partial suffrage, 1928 for full suffrage). These milestones were burdensome gained, representing a significant change in the political and social landscape, only marking the beginning of an improved future for women.
Although there’s been significant progress made, gender discrimination remains a pervasive issue, often made worse by deeply rooted patriarchal beliefs and media portrayals that reinforce stereotypes. Women in politics are judged more harshly than men, facing critiques not only of their policies, but also of their appearances and actions concerning their personal lives.
In addition, women are more likely to experience violence, threats, and harassment because of their gender, both online and offline. This unhealthy environment can demoralize women from pursuing political careers or hamper their ability to perform effectively in their election.
Regardless of these problems, the progress has been substantial over the recent years. As of 2024, 27% of worldwide parliamentary seats are occupied by women, far away from equal but incredibly improved compared to decades ago.
Women’s journey into politics has been marked by numerous obstacles, but their determination has achieved significant advancements.With continued commitment, the vision of equal representation for women in every area of political leadership becomes increasingly attainable.
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