International Journal of Social Science Research (IJSSR)

Women in Politics: Barriers to Participation and Strategies for Inclusion

Women's participation in politics has long been a pivotal subject of discussion in the pursuit of inclusive and equitable governance. Historically, the political domain has been dominated by men, with women often excluded from decision-making processes due to cultural, social, and institutional barriers. However, the importance of women's representation in political leadership is increasingly being recognized as a fundamental aspect of democratic governance. The inclusion of women in politics is not only a matter of equity and justice but also a critical factor in shaping policies that address diverse societal needs. This article explores the barriers to women's political participation and proposes strategies for their effective inclusion in governance structures. Globally, there has been some progress in advancing women's participation in politics, with many countries implementing policies such as gender quotas and affirmative action. For instance, countries like Rwanda and Sweden have achieved remarkable strides in ensuring significant representation of women in legislative bodies. Yet, the global average of women in national parliaments remains below 30%, indicating that there is still a long way to go in achieving gender parity in political leadership. This underrepresentation is more pronounced in developing nations, where socio-economic, cultural, and institutional barriers are deeply entrenched. Even in developed democracies, women face challenges such as gender bias, unequal access to resources, and the burden of traditional gender roles that hinder their full participation in the political sphere.