Asian women making some inroads

WASHINGTON: Women are assuming greater political leadership and business ownership in Asia, including India, but remain under-represented in national level government, says a US group with deep roots in the region.

There have been several notable government or opposition women leaders in Asia. Among the current lot are Philippine President Gloria Arroyo, Myanmar democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi and India’s ruling Congress party chief Sonia Gandhi.

The Asian countries have seen a significant increase in women’s political participation in provincial government via quota systems or legislation, the Asia Foundation said. India and Pakistan now have quotas ensuring women more than 30 per cent of seats in local government while Indonesia has enacted laws encouraging a similar percentage of candidates in political party lists, Carol Yost, director of the foundation’s women’s empowerment programme, said.

In an assessment ahead of International Women’s Day tomorrow, the Asia Foundation noted “important progress” in reform of laws and policies concerning women in the region as a result of global pressure as well as actions by Asian women groups themselves.

“The good news is, despite their under representation in national level government, women are nonetheless becoming a significant political force in many countries and are gaining ground — particularly at the local level,” Yost said.