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Gender and Politics

Gender and Political Institutions

Political Institutions

Political institutions are the structures and processes by which a society governs itself. They include the judiciary, legislature, executive, and administration. Gender shapes how these institutions are constructed and how they operate. Historically, these institutions have been male-dominated which has resulted in women being excluded from political power. This exclusion has limited women's access to political resources and has resulted in policies that fail to address women's needs.

The Judiciary

One example of how gender affects political institutions is the judiciary. In many countries, women are underrepresented in the judiciary. This means that women's perspectives are not adequately represented in legal decisions.

Political Parties

Similarly, political parties can be male-dominated, which makes it difficult for women to gain political office. This is especially true in countries where political parties have significant control over who gets elected.

The Executive Branch

Another example is the executive branch. Women are often excluded from positions of power in the executive branch. This limits their ability to influence policy decisions. This exclusion can also result in policies that are not gender-sensitive. For example, policies related to reproductive health may not be adequately addressed if women are not represented in the executive branch.

Overall, gender shapes how political institutions operate and who has access to political power. Addressing gender inequalities in political institutions is essential to ensuring that policies are representative and responsive to women's needs.

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