Unconventional Women and Politics
Author: Molly Mayfield Barbee
Originally Published at Peace and Conflict Monitor on: 09/02/2008
Category: Comment
Lately I’ve had politics on the brain. And it’s not just because seeing the capital of my home state in the
international news is making me nostalgic. Although, I will admit, that from
here in Khartoum, seeing that familiar Denver skyline every few minutes on
television does bring a particular poignant joy.
And it’s not just because Michelle
Obama gave a thoughtful, provocative, and emotional speech at that
Democratic National Convention. But she did, and her words about daughters and
mothers and the choices we make about how we will pass on this world to our
children have stayed with me. And it’s not just because the other larger than
life woman in American politics, Hillary
Clinton, also delivered a strong
message. But she did too. Her questions, “Were
you in this just for me? . . . [or] Were you in it for all the people in this
country who feel invisible?” got me where it counts.
North American campaign politics aside, these women underscored why I care
about participatory democracy, and why I am impassioned about women’s human
rights. The reason politics matter is that they connect the personal to the
universal. A functioning democracy is not driven by the accomplishments of any
individual, or even one leader, but by what we can do together, and how we
raise our voices.
It is a popping time for women in politics around the globe. In Brussels and across the EU, the European
Women’s Lobby is preparing for a campaign to ensure that women are equally
represented in political parties’ lists for the 2009 European Parliamentary
elections. And in Angola,
a 30 percent rule will be enforced for their September 5th elections, imposing
a quota for including women candidates. Debates about the effectiveness of the
rule continue, but the ambitious national plan is seen as an important step
toward engaging women and will be considered a success when Angolan women are
empowered to make change at the local level.
In Ghana,
the minister of women and children’s affairs has recently launched an official Women
Peacemakers Program (WPP) in partnership with the International
Fellowship of Reconciliation (IFOR). IFOR’s Africa regional office for WPP
has worked with government agencies to host gender sensitive and nonviolence
activities in eight African nations, gathering strength across the continent.
In India, Thailand, and elsewhere, however, we are reminded of the
prices many women have paid for advancements in social order, and political
gains. Other stories from Peace X Peace Voices from the
Frontlines likewise highlight the courage it takes to work for the greater
good.
Registration is still open for the 2008 Association for Women’s Rights in
Development (AWID) International Forum. For a fresh perspective on how to
build stronger movements to advance women’s rights and gender equality, join
AWID in Cape Town, South Africa this November. Whether to rejoice in
achievements or lobby for greater change, such forums in person and networks online are important
opportunities to be together, feel our collective strength, and practice our
politics.
So now, on the 88th anniversary of the passing of the Nineteenth
Amendment to the Constitution of the United States, and in a time a great
strides and painful reminders of the distance we have yet to cover, I celebrate
women and politics. In grateful memory and respect for many unconventional
women: Susan B Anthony, Sojourner Truth, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Kate
Sheppard, Lily Maxwell, Jeanette Rankin, for all those brave women who advanced
the right to vote in their countries, for those who are still struggling in
others, and to unconventional women everywhere: we’re in this together.
Footnote:
Bio: Molly Mayfield Barbee is a driving force behind Peace X Peace, a global network of women working to support women’s rights and achieve greater gender equality in our time. Much more information about Peace X Peace, and more of Ms Mayfield Barbee’s writings can be found at www.peacexpeace.org
