Gender and political leadership in Kyrgyzstan The National Round Table 25 September, 2008г., Bishkek

2 Topics for discussion Representation of women and men in public administration bodies : statistical data System of reproduction of gender asymmetry in the power structures Political mobilization Mechanisms for selection of leaders Gender perception of power and political practices

3 Representation of women and men at various positions in public administration bodies

4 According to data of NSC as at According to the data of АДГС as at Women Men Women Men Political and special positions % Number Administrative positions Higher positions % Principal positions % Senior positions % Junior positions% Total number %

5 Dynamics of representation of women in the structures of the State Power remained negative until recent time

6 The system of reproduction of gender asymmetry in the structures of civil service: conclusions of surveys, carried out from 2000 to Vertical and horizontal segregations (gender misbalance with characteristic subdivision of employment spheres); Unequal career opportunities and in upgrading qualifications for staff of different sexes; Lack of clear policy of encouragement and support of women/youth leadership of different sexes; Prevalence sexist mentality and biased/prejudiced approaches in explanation of the reasons of the existing situation; Lack of environment/conditions for combining career with implementation of home/domestic responsibilities

7 Channels for mobilization of women’s political activeness Development of independent women’s organizations/nets for support of women’s political participation Forming women’s parties and factions Integration of this issue into practice of not only women’s organizations Inclusion of the topic of women’s political participation into public discussions and research Main strategies: social activeness and enlightenment

8 Channels for mobilization of women’s political activeness Lobbying and adoption of special measures for support of women at elections Women’s political networks at legislative level of administration

9 Mechanisms for selection of leaders Scenarios of entry to the political scene became diverse Process of nomination of candidates has become more open, more democratic, however the system of selection of leaders is missing The gap between the leadership on the level of the “big” policy and local policy level

10 Nomination of candidates to local councils of deputies: preliminary data on the city Bishkek (44 mandates) Men Total - 292/72% Candidates from parties - 19% Under % Business representatives - 33% Not working - 23% Women Total - 86/28% Candidates from parties - 40% Under % Business representatives - 24% Not working - 7% The most active in nomination of women are “the Green Party”. “Jany Kyrgyzstan”, and “Erkindik”.

11 Gender perception about power and political practices Commonplace «politics is not women’s business” reflects negative definition of politics, the essence of which can disappear if women come to power The accepted model of leadership is specifically the masculine one

12 Widely used approaches for forming political leadership of women Neutral approach - “politics must be done by professionals” - … sex is not important; what counts is professionalism… Approach of a specific predestination of women - “two origins: a male one and a female one must be present in politics” -...a woman is more moralistic, responsible, attentive, is more prone to compromise than to conflict; she thinks less about a career and is more sensitive...

13 On the issue of challenges Traditional women’s political leadership as the back side of the normative masculine model of leadership Prevailing approaches are based on traditional concepts about masculinity and femininity and ideas of the “natural predestinations” Exclusion of opportunity for equal partnership and disallowing for possibility of political competition between a man and a woman