Nuha A. A. International Guarantees for Women's Right to Political Participation

Abstract

               The issue of women's participation in decision-making remains a contentious topic that continues to attract the attention of the international community and activists in the fields of democracy and human rights. Women represent half of society, yet human civilization has, for long periods, failed to recognize their true role or grant them their rightful and equal rights compared to the other half of society. This has significantly impacted women's participation in public life and their contributions to political, cultural, and civilizational development. As a result, women and the feminist movement have had to struggle for extended periods to gain recognition of women as full human beings entitled to basic human rights and as fully capable citizens. Despite notable improvements in women's conditions in many areas, prevailing societal, cultural, legal, and social structures—as well as deep-rooted prejudices often treated as sacred—continue to reinforce discrimination against women, particularly in the Arab region. This region has historically entrenched secular views and gender-based discrimination against women. Consequently, the international community has been called upon to take serious action to ensure that women enjoy all rights guaranteed to them both internationally and locally, and to eliminate discrimination in a manner that enables their effective participation in all aspects of life—especially political life and leadership positions—free from the constraints and obstacles that hinder them.