A new background paper from the World Bank written by Susan Markham, NDI’s director of women’s political participation, examines the status of women in politics and makes the case for the full and equitable participation of women in public life. The paper, entitled Women as Agents of Change: Having Voice in Society & Influencing Policy, reviews existing data, identifies the barriers that prevent women’s political participation and analyzes strategies that have been used to increase it.
This background paper is part of a series that will inform the upcoming 2014 World Bank Report on Women's Voice, Agency and Participation. This will examine women’s participation across five areas: access to and control over resources, freedom of movement, freedom from the risk of violence, decision-making over family formation, and having a voice in society and influencing policy.
