REPRESENTATION OF WOMEN IN POLITICS: GLOBAL TRENDS AND BARRIERS

Abstract

The representation of women in politics has seen significant progress over the past few decades, yet substantial barriers persist across various regions and political systems. This study examines global trends in women's political participation, highlighting key achievements and ongoing challenges. Factors such as legal frameworks, cultural norms, socioeconomic barriers, and institutional biases play a critical role in shaping women's access to political leadership. While some countries have implemented gender quotas and affirmative action policies to enhance women's representation, others continue to face resistance due to deep-seated societal structures. The impact of women's political participation extends beyond representation, influencing policy decisions, governance quality, and social equity. This paper provides an analytical perspective on the effectiveness of different strategies to increase women's political involvement and explores the need for more inclusive governance structures. The findings underscore that achieving gender parity in politics requires a multi-faceted approach involving policy reforms, education, public awareness, and the dismantling of structural obstacles.