Among the 35,000 plus women gathered in Beijing and Huairou in September 1995, ten were from The Feminist Majority. Here are on-site accounts that Feminist Majority Delegation members posted on The Feminist Majority Foundation Online throughout the conference. |
September 2, 1995 - Miranda Johnson
Panel - Women in Politics
This afternoon I attended a panel sponsored by the National Organization of Italian American Women entitled, "Women in Politics." The panel focused on politics and political organizing in the United States and included discussion on the choice movement, political action committees, the Anita Hill trial, and the 1992 "Year of the Woman."
The most interesting part of the presentation, to me, however, was the discussion period, where women from all over the world, at least twelve countries, shared their experiences with the political arena. A summary of the remarks of several of the women follows.
A woman from Pakistan remarked that, despite the fact that Pakistan has a woman prime minister, Benazir Bhutto, women face tremendous obstacles in gaining access to political power. They especially have problems in combatting stereotypes about women's roles in society and also in gaining the money to campaign for office.
Another woman explained that Ugandan women were having tremendous success: one-third of all people in decision-making positions, both elected and appointed, are required to be women. Uganda also has a woman vice-president.
A woman from Australia commented that the best way for women to gain the necessary training to be active in politics is to participate in labor unions. By working in the union movement, women can improve women's conditions in the workplace and at the same time, gain training in organizing and leadership.
Schedule of Plenaries
Statistics on the Status of Women
Copyright 1995, The Feminist Majority Foundation and New Media Publishing Inc.
