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Women in Politics a Christiansborg Seminar 2012 Report WOMEN IN POLITICS A CHRISTIANSBORG SEMINAR 2012 REPORT Women in Politics Christiansborg 2012 Seminar Report Participants in the workshop session on day 2 listening tenta- tively to one of the many speakers from more than 20 coun- tries participating in the 2012 Christians- borg Seminar. Photos: All photos have been taken by Lars Schmidt: www.schmidtaps.com Disclaimer: This report does not necessarily reflect the views of the Danish Institute for Parties and Democracy or the members of the Board. Editors: Marie Skov Madsen and Bjørn Førde, with contributions from Line Holmung and Karina Pultz. Editorial principle: Whenever possible we have used the material provided by the speakers as the basis for editing the report. In some cases we have relied on our own notes. Danish Institute for Parties and Democracy Strandgade 56, 1401 Copenhagen K, Denmark Tel: +45 32 69 89 89 Email: [email protected] Publication is available on: www.dipd.dk Published in October 2012. Page 2 Women in Politics Christiansborg 2012 Seminar Report Contents FOREWORD OFFICIAL OPENING 1 The Danish Minister for Foreign Affairs SCREENING OF THE BHUTAN FILM 2 Introduction by the Danish Minister for Gender Equality KEYNOTE SPEECHES 3 Minister from Zimbabwe and Director from UNDP PANEL 1 ON WOMEN IN LOCAL POLITICS 4 Tanzania, Mozambique, Bhutan, Bolivia and UN Women PANEL 2 ON YOUNG WOMEN IN POLITICS 5 Egypt, Nepal, Tanzania, Ghana and the Palestinian Territories PANEL 3 ON WOMEN IN TRANSITION COUNTRIES 6 Afghanistan, Kenya, Tunisia, Nepal and Zimbabwe METHODS AND APPROACHES 7 UNDP, Jordan and OSCE CONCLUSIONS 8 and recommendations to the Christiansborg Statement ANNEX: BIOGRAPHIES OF SPEAKERS Page 3 Women in Politics Christiansborg 2012 Seminar Report FOREWORD The Christiansborg 2012 Seminar was an important milestone for the Danish Institute for Parties and Democracy (DIPD) because it was the first time we had the opportunity to bring together representatives of our partners after having started the practical work of the institute in 2011. As stated in our 2010-2013 strategy on “Political parties in a democratic cul- ture”, the Christiansborg Seminar is intended to be an annual event which can offer an opportunity for Danish political parties and NGOs to learn from other Nordic organizations as well as from partners in political parties and democracy organizations in Africa, Asia, the Middle East and Latin America. We are extremely pleased that it was possible to bring representatives from all our partnerships to Copenhagen. When we say ‘our’ partners, we think of the partners of the Danish political parties working on a party-to-party basis in Kenya, Ghana, Tanzania, Bolivia, the Palestinian Territories, and Egypt, as well as the partners in the multi-party partnerships in countries like Bhu- tan, Nepal, Egypt, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, and Myanmar. We are equally pleased that some Danish development organisations like Ibis, MS/ActionAid and KVINFO decided to invite their own representatives from countries like Afghanistan, Tunisia, Mozambique and Jordan, and that our sister institute in Finland, Demo Finland, decided to invite their partners from Nepal and Tanzania. All together this meant that the Christiansborg 2012 Seminar in addition to the more than 100 Danish and Nordic participants brought together more than 30 women from 25 countries, who generously shared their stories and experiences from being actively involved in politics in general and political party politics in particular. This report is not able to do justice to the very rich and often very personal stories presented during the two days, but we hope that it will nevertheless capture the very positive and constructive atmos- phere that characterized the seminar. The conclusions from the two days of sharing and discussion will be pre- sented in a separate ‘Statement’. I would finally like to thank all the people who accepted our call to participate and make the seminar possible – the Ministers and Members of the Danish Parliament who participated in the official opening and as moderators of panels; the keynote speakers from Zimbabwe and UNDP; MP’s and key personalities in political parties around the world; and the consultants who used their expertise to help us develop a useful background document. Bjørn Førde, Director October 2012 Page 4 Women in Politics Christiansborg 2012 Seminar Report OFFICIAL OPENING The Minister of Foreign Affairs, and the former Prime 1 Minister participated in the official opening. Mr. Villy Søvndal, Minister of Foreign Affairs (right) and former Prime Minister Mr. Lars Løkke Ras- mussen (left) in in- formal discussion be- fore the official open- ing of the seminar. MR. HENRIK BACH MORTENSEN, CHAIRMAN OF DIPD The Chairman extended a special welcome to DIPD partners from around the world, both the partners of the Danish political parties working on a party-to-party basis in Kenya, Ghana, Tanzania, Bolivia, the Palestinian Territories and Egypt – as well as the parties of the multi-party partnerships of the Institute in countries like Bhutan, Ne- pal, Egypt, Tanzania, Zimbabwe and Myanmar. An equally warm welcome was extended to the partners of Danish organisations like Ibis, MS/ActionAid, and KVINFO from countries like Afghanistan, Tunisia, Mozam- bique and Jordan – and from Nordic partners like Demo Finland, with their partners from Nepal and Tanzania. We are delighted that you have decided to contribute to the Seminar in such a substantive manner. The essence of the Christiansborg Seminar is to offer an opportunity for Danish polit- ical parties and NGOs to learn from other Nordic organisations, as well as from part- ners in political parties and democracy organisations in Africa, Asia, the Middle East and Latin America. This year the Board had decided to focus on “Women in Politics’ because this con- tinues to be a challenge all over the world. The Chairman noted that we might have something to show from the Danish experience – but he was also convinced that we can still learn a lot as well. Page 5 Women in Politics Christiansborg 2012 Seminar Report MR. VILLY SØVNDAL, MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS Mr. Søvndal thanked for the invitation to speak and stated that all human beings are born free and have the right to participate in politics. Referring to the CEDAW con- vention he underlined that all political parties should take all means to promote wom- en’s rights. The right of women to enjoy equal representation is relevant globally and important for political life. In Africa women cultivate land and provide income to their family. But they do not own the land. Do men and women have the same view on ag- ricultural policy? Not necessarily. During the Arab spring women were participating in the uprisings but are not included in formal political process following the revolution. It all starts within the political parties. I am head of a party with more women than men in the parliament. Denmark is a Scandinavian latecomer on the equality agenda. Not before October last year did we get a female Prime Minister but the Scandinavi- an situation does not reflect the global picture. In a world, where more than 50 pct. of the total population is female, it stands against reason why only 17 heads of govern- ment are women. It is plainly wrong that only 30 pct. of the members of parliament are women. I am well aware that there is no simple recipe for changing this situation, and I am glad that this issue will be discussed at length at this seminar. Because the world needs to change here! While the challenges are easily found, I think it is worth noticing that there are strong signs of a positive and irreversible development. Fortunately, progress happens in very different parts of the world. The latest election law in Tunisia stipulates that all political parties should list an equal number of men and women candidates, and en- sure that every second candidate is a women. In Rwanda, 45 out of 80 members of parliaments are women. This is all very good news! Women’s position in society is slowly improving, and there are now female presidents, members of parliament, lead- ing business people, ambassadors, teachers and nurses, that play an important role in society and act as role models. Young girls slowly change their perspective on where they can go, and how far they can get. The Danish government puts strong emphasis on actively promoting women’s rights. Not only to promote human rights and equality, but also to promote economic growth, strengthen public health and improve education. Promoting women’s participation in politics is an essential part of this process. That is also why Denmark supports and trains female internet-bloggers, female parliamentarians’ network, female political candidates and many more. The work of the Danish Institute for Parties and Democracy is particularly important in this regard. It is a strong instrument in the Danish government’s continuous work to promote democracy and broad-based political participation. I am particularly happy about the theme for this seminar – Women in Politics – because it is an issue that is at the heart of Denmark’s foreign policy. MR. LARS LØKKE RASMUSSEN, CHAIRMAN OF VENSTRE AND FORMER PRIME MINISTER Mr. Rasmussen introduced by telling about his personal experience with women in politics: My wife is member of Gribskov local community. I have been leading 14 fe- male ministers as Prime Minister in a government as close to gender balance as you can come. I got beaten by a woman who is now the first female Prime Minister in Denmark. I am not convinced that she was the right choice, but it was an important testimony to the success of women’s equal rights in our national, political arena. Page 6 Women in Politics Christiansborg 2012 Seminar Report In Denmark we have been slow.
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