The push for women’s representation in Arab politics draws much attention by both human rights groups and democracy building groups. For example, the National Democratic Institute hosted Members of Parliament from Jordan, Morocco, Libya, and Tunisia to discuss “Women in the New Arab Politics”. Although the MPs all shared in the struggle to amplify women’s voices, each one had a slightly different take on which path could bring about more
National Democratic Institute Panel: Members of Parliament from Tunisia, Libya, Morocco and Jordan
positive impact in amplifying Arab women’s voice in legislative politics. Specifically, the “quantity versus quality” debate to increase women’s political representation in Arab politics came up: is it better to push for higher numbers of women in parliament–regardless of their internal dynamics–or focus on the quality of candidates so that they are better able to collectively bargain and form coalitions on issues beyond family status laws–like on the economy, defense budgets and not just the “soft” issues of cultural outreach and education.
But the debate should not de-emphasize the gains that female parliamentarians have produced for society. Women parliamentarians are not just focused on women and family rights. “In Jordan, because of our constitution, we have stopped the practice of trying civilians in military courts,” said one of the MPs visiting from Jordan.
Earlier, the Wilson Center hosted an event that broadly focused on the public and private space opening, or closing, for women in the Middle East & North Africa region earlier in 2014. PITAPOLICY’s summary and analysis on that event may be found here.
Quotas
If an underrepresented group faced a choice between more representatives in parliament, or less representatives, the group would argue for more representation. That’s a simple numbers game that –one would hope–would advance the underrepresented group’s interests. The goal is to achieve impact. However, what if this underrepresented group, let us say women, had to choose between quantity or quality. Some female Members of Parliament would push for quantity. As one second-term MP from Jordan said, “we still need a certain quantity in order to have get that quality of service heard.” On the other hand, other female MPs would argue for quality in the types of female candidates because of the politics behind debating legislation among women. She fears that there is not a consensus among women MPs, who are still hesitant to press for more women’s rights. Moreover, she argues that there needs to be more unity on specific issues, like advancing women’s rights. That way, rallying support is easier to form a bloc to pass or lead on legislation that favor women.
Many on the panel say a quota system is a necessary measure until the inclusion of women in political process holds constant within Arab society. To be fair, countries that pride themselves on leading democratic processes through legislative representation, still struggle with disproportionate levels of female legislators. For example, only 20 of the 100 U.S. Senate seats (the American equivalent of the ‘Upper House’) are held by women, according to The Washington Post. The U.S. has not implemented a quota system for women or minorities to address their under-representation in the Senate or the House of Representatives.
“Will part of women’s equality issue be solved in time because of generational changes?” asked the moderator, Tamara Coffman-Wittes from the Brookings Institute Saban Center. Each of the panelists expressed optimism as long as their countries’ legislative processes include female MPs. For example, the Jordanian MP said she was “very optimistic” because Jordan amended many laws in the 1990s.
Below are highlighted comments from Members of Parliament representing their countries. Ironically, Libya’s representative on the issue of women’s representation, was, in fact, a man.
Morocco: Member of Parliament, attorney who previously litigated in criminal court prior to serving.
- Between 1963 to 1993: no women in parliament. Currently, Moroccan parliamentary quotas require 60 women and 30 young people to serve as Members of Parliament.
- Female Moroccan MP astonished at low numbers of women in some Western legislatures–including the US Senate, which she says hurts their cause in Morocco.
- Women’s effective participation in politics requires support from men during panel -female lawyer serving as MP
Note: Male MP from Morocco commented that the presence of women in cabinet sets public expectations. So when the number of women in cabinet went down, the Moroccan public expressed surprise.
Tunisia: Rabiaa Nalaoui, Member of Parliament
- Ms. Nalaoui is the youngest Tunisian MP and hopes that her efforts in next parliament will pass legislation to lower candidacy age requirement.
- Calls for Tunisia to follow Libya in adopting the horizontal “zipper system” for gender quotas in parliament.
- (Note: The Zipper system means that one list includes all male candidates and a second list includes all female candidates. Then one would select from each list alternately from party lists.)
- “We need to also work on the horizontal system because zipper system didn’t work to guarantee that 50% of head of lists were women.
- Keep gender quotas until culture changes so that competent women are elected on their merits without a quota. In Tunisia, even with “Zipper” quota system, 94% of the heads of the lists were men, need horizontal lists as well.
- “Implementation of constitution is most important. We don’t need just female MPs,” because parliament requires leadership on pro women’s rights.
Jordan: Reem Abu Dalbouh, Member of Parliament
- Constitution is a tool to defend against discrimination.
- Legislation achieved the following: In 1982, women allowed to run in elections; In 2003 amended election law for transition in that 6 seats increased to 12 seats (in 2010) to establish first female alliance.
- First Arab country to pass law to protect against violence against women.
- Younger generations should learn from the experience of other generations who have fought for equality for women.
Libya: Musa Faraj, Member of Parliament
- Status of women has advanced significantly in past two generations.
- “Libyan women were central to 2011 uprising and have a bright future.”
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Photo by @PITAPOLICY
Photo by Dana Zureikat Daoud @DanaZkat: (R) Reem Abu Dalbouh, Member of Parliament from Jordan
