Lost in a Men’s World: Women in local politics as Gender Empowerment Tool

1. Lost in a Men’s World:Women in local politics as Gender Empowerment Tool Lect.univ.dr. Adriana Stefanel Faculty of Journalism and Mass-Communication Studies, University of Bucharest adriana.stefanel@fjsc.ro

2. Women in Romanian Politics-Facts and Numbers • One woman ran for the Presidency in 23 years of democracy; • One woman president of a political party; • Any woman prime-minister in the same period; any vice-prime-minister either; • Less than 10% women ministers; • In 2012’s Parliament the percentage of women overcome the symbolic barrier of 10% Dialogue-driven Change in the Public Sphere - 2nd ESTIDIA Conference, Bari 3-5 October 2013

3. The Glass-ceiling in Romanian Politics • Women and men do not (procentual )equally share the political power • In 2013’s Romania, public administration, defence, finance and foreign affairs are still managed by male politicians (boy-clubs) • In the committee dealing with equal opportunities, there is only one woman, a clear sign that in Romania equality is not for women • At the governmental level, in the last 10 years we note a improvement in the presence of women ministers • In political parties is establish a model of exclusion of women from decision-making spheres Dialogue-driven Change in the Public Sphere - 2nd ESTIDIA Conference, Bari 3-5 October 2013

4. Academic literature Dialogue-driven Change in the Public Sphere - 2nd ESTIDIA Conference, Bari 3-5 October 2013

5. Questions of our research • How many women hold leadership positions in local politics? • What are the barriers that restrict access of women in politics? • Is the glass-ceiling model reproduced in deep layers of local politics? Dialogue-driven Change in the Public Sphere - 2nd ESTIDIA Conference, Bari 3-5 October 2013

6. Methodology document analysis: 1. Central Electoral Office’s documents related to 2012 local election campaign • list of candidates from all local units • election results 2. Local administrations web sites 3. Political parties web sites 4. Confidential data-base of party-members Dialogue-driven Change in the Public Sphere - 2nd ESTIDIA Conference, Bari 3-5 October 2013

7. Women in local politics • 4 out of 42 administrative units (county) are led by women • 8 out of 84 women sub-prefects • no woman has been elected to lead a county council • A stronger female presence is reflected in the county secretaries: 15 out of a total of 37 Dialogue-driven Change in the Public Sphere - 2nd ESTIDIA Conference, Bari 3-5 October 2013

8. Women mayors Dialogue-driven Change in the Public Sphere - 2nd ESTIDIA Conference, Bari 3-5 October 2013

9. Women in executive positions Dialogue-driven Change in the Public Sphere - 2nd ESTIDIA Conference, Bari 3-5 October 2013

10. Gender exclusion map Dialogue-driven Change in the Public Sphere - 2nd ESTIDIA Conference, Bari 3-5 October 2013

11. Barriers that restrict access of women in politics • Willingness and ability to enter the political game • Overcoming filters preceding the candidature Dialogue-driven Change in the Public Sphere - 2nd ESTIDIA Conference, Bari 3-5 October 2013

12. Willingness and ability to enter the political game Dialogue-driven Change in the Public Sphere - 2nd ESTIDIA Conference, Bari 3-5 October 2013

13. Women’s political organizations these organizations have less power within the political parties and representing a platform for male leaders Dialogue-driven Change in the Public Sphere - 2nd ESTIDIA Conference, Bari 3-5 October 2013

14. Overcoming filters preceding the candidature Dialogue-driven Change in the Public Sphere - 2nd ESTIDIA Conference, Bari 3-5 October 2013

15. Conclusion • Women are exception (statistical aberration) in local Romanian politics • The low presence of women in the areas of decision reduces the women chances of fair representation and reinforces stereotypical second-class citizens with fewer rights and more obligations Dialogue-driven Change in the Public Sphere - 2nd ESTIDIA Conference, Bari 3-5 October 2013