Review Corner
Madam President: The Extraordinary, True (and Evolving) Story of Women in Politics
Author:Catherine ThimmeshPublished Date: February 2008
On one level, this is a story of the evolving role of women in politics, with short biographies of 23 politically influential trailblazers. But on another, it's about one girl's desire to become president and the reactions she gets when she tells her friends and family just what she wants to be. Person after person suggests some more practical, pragmatic way to be involved in politics -- something some other woman has already done: marry a president, vote for president, run for vice president, join Congress. She hears the stories of successful, powerful women but, though inspired, she isn't satisfied. Finally, with the words of the Constitution resonating in her ears, she reasserts herself, and the reader feels that somehow she's going to succeed. (Source: Common Sense Media)
Who Answers to Women? Gender and Accountability
Published Date: 2008Publisher: UNIFEM
This book stems from the thesis that the MDGs and other international commitments can only be met if gender-responsive accountability systems are put in place and enforced nationally and internationally. The report investigates how gender-responsive changes to accountability systems are enhancing women's influence in various arenas, and include examples of the initiatives taken by women around the world to demand accountability from government, employers, justice and law enforcement system and international organizations. The first part of the report examines efforts to improve accountability for advancing gender equality in the arenas of politics, public services, consumer and trade markets, the justice system, and international aid and security institutions. The second part of the report contains a review of each of the eight MDGs from a gender equality perspective and confirms that gender inequality has contributed to the lack of progress in keeping with the timetable of achieving the MDGs by 2015. Charts and graphics are used in this section to provide effective insights into women and employment, representation in parliaments, maternal mortality, HIV/AIDs and other key factors related to the MDGs.
(Source: www.womenink.org)
Breaking the Political Glass Ceiling: Women and Congressional Elections, Second Edition
Authors: Barbara Palmer, Dennis SimonPublished Date: 2008
This book comes as an issue document which intends to raise the subject of violence on women politicians at not only national but also at regional and international levels to nudge stakeholders into taking corrective actions. This is an amalgamation of experiences shared by women politicians of South Asia during various conferences and interaction programs organized by SAP International as part of VAWIP program.
Women's Political Participation and Representation in Asia: Obstacles and Challenges
Editor: Kazuki IwanagaPublished Date: 2008
The ability of a small elite of highly educated, upper-class Asian women to obtain the highest political positions in their country is unmatched elsewhere in the world and deserves study. But there is a marked lack of relevant research as well as of comprehensive and user-friendly texts. Aiming to fill the gap is this timely and important study of the various obstacles and opportunities for women's political participation and representation in Asia.
