Gender and political leadership in Kyrgyzstan

The National Round Table

25 September, 2008г., Bishkek

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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

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

According to data of NSC

as at 01.10.06. According to the data of CSA as at 01.01.08.

Women Men Women Men

Political and special positions

% 18 82 26 74

number 107 484 213 602

Political and special positions

Higher positions % 10 90 17 83

Principal positions % 34 66 32 68

Senior positions % 39 61 43 57

Junior positions % 45 55 43 57

number 6151 8622 6265 8703 Total

% 42 58 42 58

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

According to data of NSC as at 01.10.06.According to the data of АДГС as at 01.01.08. Women Men Women Men

Political and special positions %18822674 Number 107484213602 Administrative positions

Higher positions % 10901783 Principal positions % 34663268 Senior positions % 39614357 Junior positions%45554357 Total number 6151862262658703%42584258

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Dynamics of representation of women in the structures of the State Power remained negative

until recent time

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The system of reproduction of gender asymmetry in the structures of civil service: conclusions of

surveys, carried out from 2000 to 2008. 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

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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

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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

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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

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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 30 - 21% Business representatives -

33% Not working - 23%

Women Total - 86/28% Candidates from parties -

40% Under 30 -16% Business representatives -

24% Not working - 7% The most active in

nomination of women are “the Green Party”. “Jany Kyrgyzstan”, and “Erkindik”.

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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

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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...

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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