Political Economy and the Role of Women - Essay Example

Political Economy and the Role of Women Introduction Political economy involves looking at how economic systems, political settings, and institutions in politics relate with regard to political science, sociology, and economy. The role of women in the global political economy is vital yet little research has been done towards it. Abbassi and Sheryl (2002) highlight the importance of a gendered look at the political economy.1 According to the research, refusing to see the political economy as gendered negatively influences the policy setting as so many important details are left out. Women’s role in political economy is determined by how they participate in the making of public policies and their execution. The correlation with the public and the nation establish their ability to influence the economy. Resources distributions among women, as well as, the criteria for distribution of property and wealth are key factors that play into their functioning in the political economy.2 This literature review seeks to highlight the research available with regard to global political economy and the role of women in it. This includes their input in the employment sector, public agencies, and the sharing out of labour. The position of women with regards to the global economic disaster has also been drawn attention to. Women in the labor force Turshen (2010) in her book states the economic activities of women as being majorly self-employment with the rest engaging in farming and production. Additionally, they participate in politics both formally and informally. However, there is no proper documentation of this fact given that there is limited research relative to the character of women in the political management of countries globally. In the developing nations, particularly, the role of women in leadership and political positions is minimal considering the nature of stereotyping that has been associated with the selection/election of personalities to political positions.3 Only few women have ascended to political positions, and for these, the road to their positions was not easy and joy riding, but plagued by challenges and discrimination from the male and other female gender in the society.4 This misinformation and underrepresentation of women in political positions can be attributed to the nature of little interest in the subject and the few studies done relative to the determination of the role of women in the global political economy. Instead, most of the focus has been put into gender relations and their patriarchal nature.5 The creative political, financial, and cultural approaches taken by women when it comes to the global economy have not been looked into intensely enough. The gender social relations play a key role in the universal political economy, a fact emphasized again in the publication by Lewis (2003). It continues to state that after independence more opportunities were created for women to enable them participate in the changing economy through modern-day occupations. Weighed against the developing countries,it is in the United states that the role of women in the process of development was iinitially reorganized.6 In the Caribbean, the government is striving to provide education to women, but the percentage of women in the workplace is still minimal as compared to those of men. They are, whats more, the least rewarded in contrast to the men. Before the World War II, no woman was enlisted in the army, and it was not until this period that sections of the females were enlisted.7 Still, they were not tasked with duties that entailed the battlefront, but were required to take care of the wounded soldiers back in the respective camps. Employment of women preceding World War II particularly in the defense workforce was made possible as a result of the increased inevitability of the effects of war on the various countries.8 This necessity to hire women was evidenced in the developing countries as more men shifted during the war. The limited inclusion of women in employment is attributed to their reproductive roles. This is according to an analysis by economists (Inversen 2006). Additionally, the reluctance to provide women with the education and training they need to undertake employment roles is due to the contemplation that they will not be as effective because of their obligations in giving birth and raising children.9 Division of labor Iversen & Frances (2006)provide a comprehensive glance at the participation of women in the political economy across different countries. The article notes that women do participate in the labor force, but their participation is limited. They are also involved in household work, but it is not recognized as contributing to the political economy. For the reason that of their biological orientation, women compared to men are more involved in activities restricted to the family circle. Opportunities for women in the Western countries in the labour market are, on the other hand, more. This is attributed partly to the assertive and independent attitudes cultivated in the girls during the socialization process.10 The 2010 development report by the United Nations proposes that for the participation of women in political economy to be improved, there will be a need to include the provision of economic opportunities for women in the national policies guidelines of countries. This has been done by some countries such in Scandinavia through the gender contract and in the Philippines through the “Magna Carta of Women.”11 Women’s movements and the political economy In the past years, the privileges of women have been campaigned for by the various women’s groups fighting for their rights in politics, employment, reproductive rights, and the equality in participation chances. From a feminist standpoint, it is in the course of these movements that women have been able to compel social transformation. One of the most impactful women’s movements was the feminist group and the related associations which sought to fight the inequalities of women and their gender disadvantages.12 The movement was focused more on political inequalities but with no specific goals. They sought to enhance the status of women in society through a variety of unique strategies. The shift in the social movement took place in the 1920s when it became more of a social movement. It is through this movement that laws that kept women subordinate were reformed with special attention to property ownership and right to justice. The second wave of the feminists’ movement focused more on the transformation of the economic as well as the social status of women.13 One of the areas focused on included the right for equal claims to pay and the oppression related to differences in class, race, and gender. The third wave leaned more towards the championing of women’s rights as individuals and culture. Women’s rights movements have continued to grow with their impact widely felt. Because of this power in the masses, women have with time gained access to resources such as property and businesses. They have also been able to rise into powerful positions and achieve power. This consists of both political control, as well as, headship in private institutions.14 Women in public office Advanced development levels can be attributed to the increased participation of women both in the community and in national affairs. This also includes those who have managed to hold power positions.15 Political and economic inclusion of women also includes how they participate in politics, employment, and resources such as financial services and land. The involvement of women in public offices has persistently increased specifically in the emerging countries. As stated in the World Bank report (2012), Namibia has been ranked among the countries with the highest representation of women in parliament.16 This increased representation has been made through the Namibian Women’s Manifesto Network, which also focused on the upholding of gender equality in politics.17 Women and the worldwide economic crisis A report by the United Nations determines that for the economic growth established to remain sustainable, women have to be empowered economically. Empowering women to be intricate in the labor force permits them to achieve the economic and political empowerment they require. The high number of women in the manufacturing industries in both low and middle-income economies influenced the enormous influence of the universal economic crisis on them (UNAIDS 2012). Losses in jobs were witnessed, most of these jobs being those held by women. This report concludes with a call for more investment in women for economic growth and stability during financial crises.18 Despite women in Saudi Arabia have for a long time been discriminated politically as well as economically, the recent governments have recognized their grievances though they are yet to be implemented. Among the reasons as to why women should be involved into politics and economy as follows; The government should provide Saudi women with equal amenities and equivalent entrance to all fields of education. This will enable women to compete favorably with men. Secondly, the government needs carry on its current reforms in the educational sector and it should also seek technical support from the international educational community to integrate a wider perspective of world measures into the Saudi school curriculum. Thirdly, the government ought to create womens studies centers and departments in Saudi Arabia institutions and schools to aid students, teachers, and the entire Saudi society attain a better understanding of womens human rights issues. Finally, the government ought to provide all women with enough, secure, and affordable transportation and eradicate all limitations on womens driving, travel, and employment. Conclusion Although not recognized as contributing to the economy, women’s role in the private sphere is as important as that of men. Women, both in the developing and developed nations, have made significant steps in their involvement in political economy both nationally and worldwide. This has been driven first, foremost by the amplified recognition and championing of their rights by the various women’s rights movements. The growing need to have women involved in building the economy has also been due to their invaluable skills and contribution their involvement seeks to bring forth.19 This is clearly evidenced by the advancement in development of those nations where women are actively involved than those that women remain marginalized when it comes to growing the political economy.20 Bibliography Abbassi, Jennifer, and Sheryl Lutjens. Rereading women in Latin America and the Caribbean: the political economy of gender. Lanham: Rowman & Littlefield, 2002. Agarwal, Bina. Gender and green governance the political economy of womens presence within and beyond community forestry. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2010. http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&scope=site&db=nlebk&db=nlabk&AN=336237. Bahramitash, Roksana, and Hadi Salehi Esfahani. Veiled employment Islamism and the political economy of womens employment in Iran. Syracuse, N.Y.: Syracuse University Press, 2011. http://site.ebrary.com/id/10493630. Barriteau, Violet Eudine. The political economy of gender in the twentieth-century Caribbean. Basingstoke: Palgrave, 2001. Bose, Christine. Women in 1900 Gateway to the Political Economy of the 20th Century. Philadelphia: Temple University Press, 2010. http://www.SLQ.eblib.com.au/patron/FullRecord.aspx?p=547402. Hawkesworth, Mary. Globalization and feminist activism. Lanham [u.a.]: Rowman & Littlefield, 2006. Hydén, Göran. African politics in comparative perspective. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2006. Iversen, Torben, and Frances Rosenbluth. 2006. The Political Economy of Gender: Explaining Cross‐National Variation in the Gender Division of Labor and the Gender Voting Gap. American Journal of Political Science 50, no. 1 (2006): 1-19. Iversen, Torben, and Frances McCall Rosenbluth. 2010. Women, work, and politics: the political economy of gender inequality. New Haven [Conn.]: Yale University Press. Kapadia, Karin. 2002. The violence of development: the politics of identity, gender, and social inequalities in India. London: Zed. Lewis, Linden. 2003. The culture of gender and sexuality in the Caribbean. Gainesville, FL: University Press of Florida. http://site.ebrary.com/id/10335379. Nancy A. Naples & Manisha Desai. 2002. Womens Activism and Globalization: Linking Local Struggles and Global Politics. New York: Routledge. Pettman, Ralph. 2012. Handbook on international political economy. Singapore: World Scientific. Rai, Shirin. 2002. Gender and the political economy of development from nationalism to globalization. Malden, Mass: Polity Press. http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&scope=site&db=nlebk&db=nlabk&AN=604484. Reintsma, Mary. 2007. The political economy of welfare reform in the United States. Cheltenham, UK: Edward Elgar. http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&scope=site&db=nlebk&db=nlabk&AN=208302. True, Jacqui. 2012. The political economy of violence against women. New York, NY: Oxford University Press. Turshen, M. 2010. African Women: A Political Ecomony. New York: Palgrave Macmillan. Wren, Anne. 2013. The political economy of the service transition. Oxford: Oxford University Press. http://site.ebrary.com/id/10645680. United Nations. 2010. Report of the Commission on the Status of Women on the Fifty-fourth Session (13 March and 14 October 2009 and 1-12 March 2010). United Nations. Pubns. UNAIDS. 2012. Impact of the global economic crisis on women, girls and gender equality. UNAIDS Information Production Unit. Read More