Let us see some statistics on Women in Parliaments! Good data for analysis!

http://www.ipu.org/wmn-e/classif.htm

Expectation is that women politician will be better compared to men mainly because of the family bonds. Unfortunately in India we had a fair amount of women politicians throughout the history since independence from British in 1947. Though many of them are charismatic and are able to reach their position more by charisma than real work except may be Indira Gandhi. Many of them are intelligent and are capable but blinded more by their ego which in my opinion is their undoing. Prime examples are Mayawathi, Mamata Banerjee and Jayalalitha Jayaram the chief ministers of regional provinces. Also we have seen that some women politicians are placed in that position by their husbands or relations because of the convenience. We still have to see a real good woman politician in India.

We do not have reservation of seats for women in the assembly/parliament. A bill to introduce 30% seats for women in Parliament is not going anywhere for the last five years. It is still dominated by men.

The party in power does encourage women participation, but it's still dominated by men. However the opposition party seems to have more women holding posts, and its leader is a lady, at this point anyway.

Let us see some statistics on Women in Parliaments! Good data for analysis!

http://www.ipu.org/wmn-e/classif.htm

I will not give my opinion until at least 10 women replied!

Cheers

In India, women are coming in politics in increasing number; but still a lot of work is needed to be done in this regard. We have amended the Constitution of India to provide for special provision for 33 per cent reservation of seats for women in panchayats (village councils) and municipalities. A good number of states have provided 50 per cent reservation of seats for women in village councils.

But the bill for reservation for women in Parliament and state legislative assemblies has not yet been passed. I personally feel men from some parties are finding pretexts to stall that to happen. India has also created a women commission of India to look into crimes against, women empowerment and related issues. Undoubtedly, women empowerment is a sine qua non for societal progress. The health of a society can be judged whether women in that society have close to similar status as men.

@Marcel, it's not easy to find 10 girls on RG in a single thread, there are more men on RG as in politics. But then your job is 'Observer, Perceiver, Reader' :))

It is about 10% of participation by women in politics and other side of life

@Marcel, I do appreciate your answer and attitude!

Dear Ljubomir

The participation of women in academia has served as the impetus for self -independence . Inequalities between the sexes in the social environment , not limited only to the labor market . But also in participation in political life , which the woman was excluded , without the right to vote, which is seen today as a way of exercising citizenship. Demonstrating thus man's superiority established by society itself .

Currently , there is a strong influence of women's participation in politics , in which the latter started to assume important positions , such as the presidency in Brazil, which act showing high ability to manage a country .

Besides the achievements aimed at policy area , other rights were granted to these : the example of protection against torture and ill-treatment , the right to retirement, education, freedom to express . Rights that have been recognized by the United Nations . The woman plays an influential role in the social environment , as well as man. And the interaction between them and credibility behind economic and social benefits , which contribute to a significant growth of the society .

South Africa is a constitutional democracy at least on paper with the associated and/or attendant safeguards of equ(al)ity of all groups!

However, the stereotypes of the past persist disadvantaging and/or pepetuating the status quo of previously disadvantaged groups!

Period!

Women's participation in all aspects of society including equal pay ( where unequal payment is prevalent for instance in America that bases on gender) are imperative acts of almost complete modern and civilized societies. With out women's full participation, societies always remain incomplete, as they always search for completion and perfection.

Dear Dejenie, I completely agree with your statements. Regards.

In Greece, as also displayed in the statistics provided by @Ljubomir, women hold 63/300 seats (21%) in the Parliament, 2/39 (5.1%) ministry and deputy positions, 9/325 mayor positions (2.76%). We still have a long journey to make...

Respect for gender issues and Women empowerment by any society are the soul of economic and societal development

In may country, It is about 25% of participation by women in politics and other side of life, May be going to 30% in the future cycle of Parliaments. After change the regime , I think women's make an influence in Your country in some domain of the life.

I don not have the statistics now.Up to the best of my knowledge, the influence of women in society in the Arab World is more than their influence in politics.

Some information of participation of women in Cuban society:

48.86% are female deputies in parliament.

50.5% of political positions.

63% of university students.

60% of professional and technical positions

Women's influence in politics and society in my country is pretty good. The fact that the president of state is female proves this.

Women are as good as men. Decisions taken are basically to uplift a society or family.

Kings and Queens have created history and have won battles.

Gods and Godesses, Popes and Nuns, are amix of masculine and feminine nature.

Politics too has mix of feminine and masculine just as nature which has yin and yang.

Feministic attitude which was once prevalent is slowly dying.

The only vulnerability of women is protection.

The equal participation of men and women in all jobs and sectors and also iin politics is a welcome change.

Men should learn to live independetly and no longer say the behind the sicess of every man there is a woman. now these women are in front and men are behind.

If men can learn this then it will be better

i was reading an AMJ article on gender bias in performance appraisal today. its everywhere. there is a long way to go before womens cn actually be treated as equals

In our country, 6 of 24 senators are women. 2 of the last 4 presidents were women. The most listened singer is a woman. The most watched child TV host is a female. The president in our university and 2 of the 3 vice presidents are women Seven of 12 college deans are women. In our department, 6 of 9 faculty members are women. The president of the university student council is a woman. The most powerful personality in our home is my wife! The female gender in out society is empowered.

Where are the men gone. Its like group equation, one group favored above other and suddenly there is a revolt asking for favoring the other group. Then comes whole aspect of reservation, empowerment.

Marriage between equals, is going to be bad. Women have been empowered and men jobless. now what, who is going to marry whom.

Of course just follow the bee the queen and the slaves. men will have to be slaves, no job. Poly gamy will be there among women.

@Eddie, your answer makes me smile :) Yes, I notice that among my Filipino friends. The ladies also talk such a lot, the men are such great listeners :)) Conclusion: Filipino ladies are well heard.

Dear Ljubomir,

Despite of the increasing number of women in the actual parliament of my country 'through a sudden political decision of quota', most of these women are not really representative (this parliament was badly elected with a majority of electors' abstention) and not known 'may be are relatives to some leaders, businessmen and chiefs'. However in real economic, politic and administrative life very few women evolved to decision posts as well in career promotion. Most of them have strong relationships with the system or are employed by it. In government 3 women are ministers , 2 of them are there for more a decade and haven't presented true competency the third is unknown. No important ministry was allowed to a women since independence.

Unfortunately all decisions are very masculine ones. Women who could emerge or are successful in their jobs are strongly struggled by their masculine and also by some of their feminine peers.

Hi Firhaouz, nice to see your contribution. The real power always goes missing anywhere due to political interference. The electorate is usually a helpless spectator.

The only voice that he has is this site which does not mean anything political.

It is also unfortunate that women ask for equality, while in reality the fear of loosing jobs or security lurks high on the minds of men. The entry of women is also seen as a challenge to men. corruption is as high as im men and can b easily corrupted by the offer of gifts.

Few women like Margaret Thatcher are rare examples.

Miranda, the female smile makes her even "more" equal than men. Cheers. Ed

Thanks Ed et al., you are all very kind on this thread :)

You are welcome Miranda. I hope that when the gender revolution is completed, you will remember the males who supported your cause and be kinder to them.

Dear Venkata, i think that as society is made by 50% of men and 50% of women, it is naturally that it must be run and think by the smart of the 50% of each, unless balance could be unsteady; Each society needs the intelligence, the work, the value, the help ... of everyone (men and women). Why only men have fear of jobs loosing or security aspects, these questions are not as well women's concern?? did you think that women do not fear for their and their society's economical and security status?? I agree that corruption could be as well men and women matter; but i think that big corruption is more men related, generally women have fear of their reputation and their self security, and do not take part in it even if some of them have great temptation. Of course there are also evil women as well men who are able of plus!!

Some examples of the contribution of women scientists:

Marie Curie. Investigation of radioactivity.

Rosalind Franklin. Understanding the DNA biophysics.

Hypatia of Alexandria. Prominent in mathematics and astronomy.

Ada Lovelace. A pioneer in computer programming.

Lise Meitner. Physical discoverer of protactinium.

Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin. Chemistry pioneered in the application of X-ray biochemistry.

Sophie Germain. French Mathematics highlighted in their contribution to the theory of numbers.

Rachel Carson. Generation of ecology and environmental awareness.

Jane Goodall. Primatologist who studied the use of tools in chimpanzees.

The influence of women in politics and society in Palestine seem to be very limited. One indicator is the low representation of women among politicians and university academic staff members.

I do recommend this source for fine reading!

Some current women leaders in power

Argentina: President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchne

Bangladesh: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wajed

Brazil: President Dilma Rousseff

Denmark: Prime Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt

Germany: Chancellor Angela Merkel

Jamaica: Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller

Liberia: President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf

Malawi: President Joyce Banda

Malta: President Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca

Senegal: Prime Minister Aminata Touré

Norway: Prime Minister Erna Solberg

South Korea: President Park Geun-hye

Trinidad-Tobago: Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar

I do agree absolutely dear @Kamal! Queens and diamonds! We have also many fine women here in Research Gate community! :)

Dear Kamal and Ljubomir,

thank you

woman chief ministers in India.

Amidaben Patel Gujarath,

Jayalalitha Tamil nadu,

Mamatha Banerjee West Bengal,

Vasundara Raje. rajasthan.

I think the role as well as voice of women is growing and being heard than ever before in my country now-a-days.

That is goof to hear dear @Asmat. Did You know about this women in power, the speakers of national parliaments through history!? 

Regarding Serbia, there is a mistake in chronology, it is not 2008, but 2003! Now , woman is Presiding Officer of Serbian's Parliament! 

http://www.ipu.org/wmn-e/speakers.htm

You are always welcome my dear friend @Kamal! 

Respected @ Ljubomir Jacić, thanks for sharing the link. I like it.

Prof Ljubomir and friends, here is a powerful lady in my country.  She is head of the central bank.  

'Malaysia’s central bank Governor Zeti Akhtar Aziz said the country’s accelerating inflation doesn’t make her nervous, signaling confidence price increases will remain contained.'

http://www.banksdaily.com/info/negara-malaysia

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-04-13/zeti-confident-malaysia-s-inflation-will-remain-contained-1-.html

That is good example for woman in power dear @Miranda! She is head of the central bank. of Malaysia. In my country Governor of the National Bank of Serbia is also a woman, but she got this position thanking to politics, not to her knowledge and skills! Such place requires political independence!

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/08/06/serbia-cenbank-idUSL6E8J66D320120806

Women voices are mostly heard, In our country Indian many great woman have holded / holding high positions including President, Prime Minister, Chief Minister of States, Members of Parliament . 

Pakistani teenager and Indian children’s rights activist beat Edward Snowden, Chelsea Manning, the Pope and Vladimir Putin to the prestigious prize. Malala Yousafzai, the Pakistani teenage education campaigner shot on school bus in 2012 by a Taliban gunman, has won the 2014 Nobel peace prize. Congratulations! Her influence is huge!

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/oct/10/wins-nobel-peace-prize-2014

Yes, a wonderful choice to award a peace prize, to a hero and a heroine!  When the choice is wonderfully carried out the whole world rejoices.

Malala and Kailash Satyarthi receive joint Nobel award yesterday! It was nice to watch and listen her words.Ms Yousafzai said she was there to stand up for the rights of forgotten and frightened children. "I am here to stand up for their rights, raise their voice. It is not time to pity them. It is time to take action so it becomes the last time that we see a child deprived of education."

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-30411049

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-23241937

Thanks dear @Barbara for your valuable response. I do hope that the other followers bring the examples of their countries, regarding woman influence, as you have done for Poland!

Dear Cecilia, thanks for info about US.  Dear all, for my country, it's mostly men who are politicians.

'The representation of women in legislative bodies is one of the indicators of society’s commitment to women’s empowerment. Strong participation of women in political decision-making processes can help ensure the eventual elimination of inequalities faced by women.

Since Independence, the number of female candidates elected to political decision-making bodies in Malaysia has increased, but only at a moderate rate and to a relatively low level. In 1990, just 5 per cent of parliamentarians were women. This proportion doubled to 10 per cent in 1999 but remained at that level after the 2004 general election.  With their increasing level of education, often exceeding that of men, it is expected that women will want to participate more fully at all levels of political life.'

http://www.unicef.org/malaysia/sowc_6067.html

Thanks for fine contributions! The question of the influence of women in politics and society is so important. 

I have got very good answer from our dear colleague @Aseel : "Women in my country now has an effective role they take the post of minister and his doctor and university professor and mentor, but my circumstances are not good Every skilled workers looking to get out of Iraq because of the country from chaos and administrative absence of law and security Vaandalmt women in these difficult conditions and the deterioration of the economic situation resulted in the loss of many of the rights women and the absence of an effective role in society, I am currently a university professor and the positions of professor teaching efforts." Thanks @Aseel!

@Marie Paz Morales have sent the following answer by message: "It depends on the economic and educational status and societal status of women. Ordinary women just vote but others may be as powerful as Miriam defensor Santiago."

Women in my country now has an effective role they take the post of minister and his doctor and university professor and mentor, but my circumstances are not good Every skilled workers looking to get out of Iraq because of the country from chaos and administrative absence of law and security Vaandalmt women in these difficult conditions and the deterioration of the economic situation resulted in the loss of many of the rights women and the absence of an effective role in society, I am currently a university professor and the positions of professor teaching efforts

best regard

Asst.Pro. dr.Aseel basim

Dear Ljubomir,

I would say that participation in certain fields is to big (like engineers, scientists, entrepreneurs) but still should be recognized.

In politics, lack women councilors, deputies and senators, but we have the biggest and best example of all, our President is a woman. Elected a second time.

Best Regards,

Vanessa

Dear @Luisa Di Paola sent the following answer :"Dear Ljubomir,

here in Italy we have a fair situation, with respect to many other no EU countries, but we have around the worst situation in EU as for women acceptance in responsability positions. I think the hardest hurdle to overcome for us women is the lack of support from society and government, we have more and more difficulties in coping both with family and work duties, so we simply give up with work in case we're forced to choose. In science, the situation is even worst, since the rushing competition in the early years of career, in a regime of almost total temporary contracts, pushes to a hard choice since the start: often women full professors are without a family, devoted to work (while the male counterpart generally has exploitedthe full support of a housewife mate), while wifes and mothers often are doomed to lower level (assistant professor or temporary tenure) positions without almost any chance of career. Bad to say, but the present is far worse than past, due to the tough cutting of grants and financial support to academics.

Bests and thank for your survey.

Luisa"

@Andi Bowe sent the following response: "I believe my country made a big mistake when they took the example of a 400 year working democracy, the League of Six nations, and made a 4-part balance of power into a 3 part balance and left out the grandmothers who actually cared for the generations to come and chose the chief or president and told him what to say. Look at the mess we have made of compassionate democracy, because money instead of equal rights now rules our world and the generations to come are not considered at all. Women and all those who care need to realize that suffrage is not enough to save our planet for our children."

Dear @Bonita Chavez sent such fine answers by message: "I used to go to the Women's political Caucus to talk to politicians. We could discuss our concerns and then vote as a unified force. I am have been an activist since I was 12 for the under dog. I have no personal power but if you can motivate a group of people with a good idea and action.Indigenous democracy always included women.Since women outlive men many become the elders who have to make decisions for the tribe. Many tribes de-enroll women who leave the tribe for any reason but not men.WE once included everyone and made decisions based on the last 7 generations and the next 7 generations. Casino politics have changed everything. Many tribes have raised blood quota disenrolling their grandchildren and elders who can speak the language and have wisdom dying off.Tribes that have put up their quotas to 50% and took omen off their rows who move away from the reservation are in real threat of becoming extinct.One tribe i worked for misused all the funding. another tribe the roads stop at the councilman's houses. Casinos can be a negative economy because of gambling addictions spurring embezzlement.there is an element of organized crime in the mix too. When I was down in Crescent City the cable had a Native channel . I watched a struggle with tobacco being sold and harvested on the tribe.I was accused of being a troublemaker when my manager hacked into my accounts and found out I signed environmental petitions. I told him. I am Native American and we fight to save the earth for the next generations.Many elders are raising grandchildren on almost no income because of drugs and alcohol in the generation in between. Elders are being neglected. Grand children are being neglect all for greed. The US constitution come from the Great Law of Peace but was men at for wealthy landowners after women and slaves were excluded.African American men were able to vote before Native men or women.Women suffrage was mostly middle class Anglo women. Women and children are still slaves in many places." Many thanks dear @Bonita!

Our colleague @Thi Quy Vo have sent the following reply: "In my country, number of companies led by woman is 6.71% (June 2014) according to www.globalwomenceo.com. The most outperform is Vinamilk listed in HOSE with the code of VNM."

Dear friends, if you know a woman with good achievement in the mining, engineering, and manufacturing industries, do not hesitate to nominate her for the prestige 2015 Women In Industry Awards! Link for nominations follows!

http://womeninindustry.com.au/

Women has great representation in the Philippine politics. We have had two female presidents. One is a symbol of democracy,. The other hand, a symbol of oppression and corruption.

The thing is, the idea that women are inferior to men is a foreign concept to the Philippines. Prior to Spanish colonization, women and men has equal representation in politics, religion, and society. We even have legends with princesses fighting for their kingdoms, which showed the strong presence of women in everyday life of ancient Filipinos. It was the Spaniards and the Americans that brought the idea that women are less than men.

However, despite the cultural influences of Spain and the US, the underlying Filipino culture still seeps through from time to time. The word for wife in Tagalog language is "maybahay" which means "owner of the house." Traditionally, men work while women stay in the homes keeping their husbands' salaries and making the decisions on how to use them properly.

In 1800s, a group of Filipino women wrote a letter to the King of Spain asking for equal participation in education. A request granted by the King. This was a bold move for the time, even in more progressive countries in the west.

At the moment, the Philippines garnered the best ranking in Asia terms of equality between genders. Globally, it even outranked other countries such as US, UK< and Germany.

Dear @Maria Ines Colombres sent her answer by mail. "Women in Argentina have a great representation in the Goverment since our current president is a woman, Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner. She is the second woman who has that role in the history of Argentina. The first one was Maria Estela Martinez de Peron in 1974-1976. However, it is rather dificult for women to get a place in the Parliament. and thus hear women´s voices."

Our colleague @Karin Rheeder has delivered the following answer: "In South Africa the women in politics which is under the ANC party has conformed to party politics. They do not play a constructive role in change. The opposition has two very strong women - which is handson and a hope to South Africa. South Africa is in the beginning of "allowing" women in politics - I have hope."

My colleague  Minister of Defense prof. Milica Pejanovic-Djurisic, Ph.D is good example of woman in politics for a long time.

She is member of Researchgate community!

http://www.mod.gov.me/en/ministry/minister

https://www.researchgate.net/profile/M_Pejanovic-Djurisic

I am not a political scientist. I am not constructing a beautifully formatted paper; but I think I have some rudimentary essay tidbits that are helpful.  Political influence includes participation (i.e. service as an official, access to information, to question authority), ability to effect change (through the vote, protest, economics, and so forth), just to name a few tools/strategies to exert influence. Regarding participation, if we look at the midterm Senate and House races of 2014 of the 114th Congress in the U. S., according to abcnews.go.com, there were 20 female senators (20%) elected to office and 84 female representatives in the House, consisting of 435 total members ( with females constituting 19% of house members). Therefore, in this branch of government, women represent a significant minority.  There has never been a female elected  president or vice president in the U.S., of course.  However, several females have held office at state and local levels of government. Females have been appointed to the Supreme Court of the United States (i.e. Ruth Bader Ginsburg, appointed in 1993 by President Clinton), and women have served on various lower-level courts--whether through elections or appointments. Regarding access to information and questioning authority, there are many political action organizations in the U.S. in which women are involved. Women constitute about half of the nonfarm jobs in the U.S. and have considerable buying power (Time Magazine, 2015; see http://content.time.com/time/interactive/0,31813,2031700,00.html ). 

Women in power inspire female leadership!

Female political icons influence more than policy and public discourse. They have a measurable, positive impact on other women’s leadership skills...

https://www.researchgate.net/blog/post/women-in-power-inspire-female-leadership

What a HOT discussion! :)

In Nigeria, women's voice is still to be heard in politics. There are many ministerial positions that women cannot occupy. The situation may not change soon, especially because women seem not to be united.

In some day we can change the opinion about french mentality, or in the end of our présidant company

In the US, women’s presence in the news media is visibly growing in basically all positions. A congresswoman or senator women are not unusual these days. Women related issues like, for instance, pro-life and pro-choice supporters - are among dominating subjects in the presidential, senatorial, and congressional compaigns, as well as healthcare, and educational issues.

Equal pay irrespective to an employee’s gender is an ongoing political subject and debate to make it not only a policy but a reality as well. Women have a vast presence in the Government, military, and police services.

Mrs. Hillary Clinton was a formidable candidate in the latest presidential elections. She placed women’s issues at the top of her political agenda. The key manager of the US President Donald Trump’s recent presidential compaign was a woman – Mrs. Kellyanne Elizabeth Conway (currently she is a Counselor to the President). She was the first woman, who successfully strategized and managed a presidential compaign in the US history.

Women occupy quite significant positions in the current US Government, for instance: Gov. Nikki Haley – Ambassador to the U.N.; Betsy DeVoc – Secretary of Education; Elain Chao – Secretary of Transportation, Linda McMahon – Small Business Administration Administrator.

Indian culture see the women as source of power and matter of worship which is cleared from some Sanskrit shlokas (verses) like: " यत्र नार्यस्तु पूज्‍यंते, रमन्ते तत्र देवता" (where women are respected, there deities exist). Women are at good positions despite less literacy of them than the men.

However, I am not pleased with some situations. In local body elections in some states in India, there is 30% seat  reservations for women. But I see, the men see all the duties on behalf of their wives and wives are only rubber stamps in many cases.

There should be true equality in the society.

All women cannot be politician as well as all men cannot be politician. The selection should be provided for virtues and qualities instead that for votes of people only. This is my opinion.