Women in Parliament: Beyond Numbers

by Azza M. Karam (Editor), Frene Ginwla (Contributor), Nadezhda Shvedova (Contributor)

Now that women have made some inroads into this political arena, how are they impacting on it? What obstacles impede women from impacting? By what means can women overcome these obstacles? What are the strategies women can and have used to change policies and the political process through parliament? What are some of the changes that have occurred now that women are entering this traditionally male world? This book takes a closer look at these issues. Following extensive consultation with former and present women MPs, this handbook was written with the input of parliamentarians, academics and activists. With a foreword by Frene Ginwala, Speaker of the National Assembly of South Africa, and case studies covering Costa Rica, Egypt, India, Jordan, Lebanon, Norway, Russia and South Africa the book gives a global perspective on women's political struggle to impact on parliamentary politics. Also gives a detailed account of ways that the rules of parliaments can be changed to better serve women and to promote issues of concern to women.

232 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 1998