Women and men should have equal quotas in party lists - Survey
Ukrainian voters strive to better involvement of women in politics and power, and they could achieve it, if men and household chores don’t prevent. Such conclusions can be made of the survey conducted by Ukrainian Women’s Fund together with Democratic Initiative Foundation on the eve of local elections. The survey was supported by IGPN (International Gender Policy Network).
Supporters of the idea to increase representation of women in local governance bodies are twice more (47%) than their opponents (25%). At that, male respondents almost equally divide to those who approve the idea of more active involvement of women, and those who don’t. As for female respondents, they are stand unambiguously for their active participation in local governance (58%).
Do you think better representation of women in local governance body is necessary?
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Does it matter for you whether a candidate to local council (to mayor's position) is a woman or a man?
- yes, I'd rather vote for a woman
- yes, I'd rather vote for a man
- no, it does not matter
- hard to say
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The survey results deflated the stereotype that voters do not elect women. In fact, for major respondents (59%) it does not matter what is the sex of candidate to local council or mayor’s seat.
Among the reasons why women are underrepresented in politics, the most popular answers were “lack of time because of household” (31%) and “men prevent women from taking up politics” (24%). And if in the first answer the respondents of both sexes were similarly, in the second one women were more certain (31%) than men (15%).
The least supported is the answer in the list of reasons for low political involvement of women – statement that “women are not capable of politics” (10%). Indeed this statement was more supported by men (15%), than by women (6%). |
Why are women less active in politics than men?
 women don't have enough time, they are too busy at home - women themselves don't want to take up politics
- men prevent women from taking up politics
- women are not capable of politics
- hard to say
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The idea of introducing legally the obligatory representation of women and men at tops of parties’ lists is supported by both women and men. Totally 53% supported this European practice.
In many European countries equal representation of women and men at tops of parties' lists is legally established.
Do you support this idea for Ukraine?
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Respondents from different regions of Ukraine answered similarly to the majority of questions, regional peculiarities were rare (see diagrams by regions below). However, respondents from Donbas and the Crimea were more active in stressing the importance of candidate’s sex, at that they were ready to vote particularly for women, not men.
At that Donetsk and the Crimea less than other regions support introduction of equal quotas for women and men in party lists.
Respondents from the West Ukraine showed themselves brightly while answering the question why women are less involved in politics. They are convinced (more than other regions) that the main reason is business of women at home.
The National survey of the Ukrainian population was conducted on the request of Ukrainian Women’s Fund and performed by Democratic Initiatives Foundation named after Ilko Kucheriv and Ukrainian Sociology Service from October 3 to October 15, 2010. Totally 2011 respondents were questioned by sampling that represents adult education of Ukraine by such indices as sex, education level, type and region of residence. Sampling error does not exceed 2.1%.
Strategic Initiatives Department of Ukrainian Women’s Fund launches its new project"Public education on municipal issues: all politics is local" with support of the National Endowment for Democracy, USA in Dnipropetrovsk, Zhytomyr, Lviv, Kherson oblasts and Sevastopol city.
The project goal is to increase involvement of women in politics in Ukraine. Specifically, it will increase the number of women who run for office; the number elected to office; and the number involved in all aspects of political life. It will also increase the number of young women who consider themselves to be politically active. This project focuses on achieving systemic change – not just numerical goals of increased political representation of women (which could be reached through quotas, an all-too-well-known means in our region).
Training and education for women, both experienced leaders and political beginners, (Advanced training program “Leadership for Change” and Beginners training program) will be accompanied with conducting a series of public activities in pilot oblasts– focus groups, round tables, press-conferences, etc. The proceedings and results of the project will be covered in local and national mass media.
