2. TO BE DISCUSSED
• Introduction:
• Definition
• Origin
• Arguments for and against
• Result: changes on the horizon
• The Chinese perspective
• Conclusion
4. CHEN Ying
DEFINING QUOTA SYSTEM
• An affirmative measure:
• establishes a fixed percentage or number for
the nomination or representation of a specific
group, i.e. women
• Goal:
• to increase the participation of under-
represented groups in decision-making
positions
5. CHEN Ying
A TYPOLOGY
• Two dimensions:
• where the quotas system is mandated
• The level of the selection and nomination
process
6. Isabel Naucler
WOMEN IN POLITICS
• Global average of seats in national parliament: 18,4%
9. Isabel Naucler
THE EUROPEAN EXPERIENCE
The European Parliament:
19% 27% following the 1994 election
30% of the enlarged parliament elected in 2004.
•
The Nordic countries:
Average of 39.7 percent.
12. Isabel Naucler
‘QUOTA FEVER’
• A dynamic quota development happening
around the world.
-Legal quotas
• Only reached a few countries in Europe
•
13. Isabel Naucler
WOMEN´S ROLE
• Europe: individual focus compared to the family
oriented focus in Asia.
• Education and career is often as important to male as
to female, since women wish to support for
themselves and
not rely on their
husband/partner.
14. CHEN Ying
PROGRESS CAUGHT IN BOTTLENECK
• Viviane Reding, European
commissioner for justice
• Legislation to install a gender
quota of at least 40% in
company boards across EU
• The great division
• Plan suspended for more
discussion, till TODAY
15. Isabel Naucler
ARGUMENTS AGAINST THE USE OF QUOTAS
• Quotas are undemocratic & goes against the principle of equal opportunity for all.
• Politcal representation: about ideas & interest, not gender.
• Quotas imply that gender is more important that qualifications.
• Quotas can cause conflict within the parliament/organization.
• Do not change the view of women’s roles.
• Women often do not want to get elected just because of their sex.
• Instead of quotas: improve education, give more financial support and use flexible
maternity leave.
16. Isabel Naucler
ARGUMENTS FOR THE USE OF QUOTAS
• Equal representations are women's rights as citizens.
• ‘Real equality of opportunity’
• Election is about representation not about educational qualifications.
• Conflicts from introducing quotas are likely to be temporarily.
• Quotas compensate for the barriers that are preventing women from their share of the political
seats.
• Women's experiences are needed in politics.
• Women are as qualified as men, but that is not visible in a male-dominated political system.
• Improving education and training skills, giving more financial support and to use flexible maternity
leave should not be used instead of quotas, but together with a quota system for the desired
outcome.
18. CHEN Ying
WOMEN IN TRADITION
Words for you:
1. Ignorance is bliss
2. “Three Obediences” and
“Four Virtues”
19. CHEN Ying
HOLDING UP HALF THE SKY?
• Central decision-making
• NPC: around 21% since 1983
• CCP Portfolio: 1 out of 24 (LIU Yandong)
• 10% vice-ministerial or provincial-level leaders
• 1-2 % of the local decision-making positions
• 7.2% of board directors
20. CHEN Ying
A MIXED PROSPECT
• Legal ground:
• Principle of equality as stated in Constitution
and other laws
• YET
• Ambiguity: eg. In electoral law, “appropriate
amount” instead of mandated quota
• Lack of ratification of relevant international laws
• Institutional:
• Lack of enforcement, petition, and supervision
mechanism
• Lack of effective elections at all levels
21. CHEN Ying
A MIXED PROSPECT(Cont’d)
• Societal value:
"Men should mainly focus on career and women
should be family oriented.”
• 62% of men and 55% of women agreed
• Increased by 7.7% and 4.4% for men and women
respectively, compared to views in 2000
A resurgence of traditional gender roles?
-- invalidating economic recession and
gender role reversion?
22. CHEN Ying
CONCLUSION
• EU experiences: Utility and Necessity
• With appropriate implementation, quota
system increases women representation,
changes women’s role, AND improves decision
outcomes
• Quota system as a means, not an end
• To break the “glass ceiling”
• To be removed/replaced after achieving
genuine gender equality
23. CHEN Ying
CONCLUSION (Cont’d)
• China perspective:
• Feasibility: Legal, institutional, societal constraints
• Fundamental obstacle: political system
• Differences with EU countries a slow track first
• Raise social awareness (woman’s self-actualization)
and understanding of quota system
• Enhance women’s core competences
• Political Reform: pressure on top leadership