Women in Governance and Interethnic Relations
Women in Governance and Interethnic Relations

Contributor(s): Allen H. Kassof (Editor), Livia Plaks (Editor)
Subject(s): Gender Studies, Inter-Ethnic Relations, Ethnic Minorities Studies
Published by: PER Project on Ethnic Relations
Keywords: Women Policy Makers; Women and Interethnic Conflict ;
Summary/Abstract: PER has been mediating interethnic disputes in the Balkans for over a decade, working closely with political leaders. The number of women occupying senior elective positions, although still disproportionately small (except in Kosovo where a quota is mandated by the international community), is nevertheless significant and growing. Against considerable odds, a group of exceptional women politicians, many of them young, has emerged—holding forth a promise of fresh approaches within this political neighborhood. Most are well-educated and have enjoyed significant international exposure. But they face exceptional challenges. Despite the lip service to women’s equality, political activities and public decision-making remain male-dominated arenas. PER does not subscribe to the cliché that women have a larger stake than men in avoiding violent conflict. Indeed, it would be naïve to suggest that women politicians automatically bring moderation to interethnic issues. Rather, the promise of women politicians lies elsewhere: their very participation introduces a new dimension—gender—to the list of variables that the political system must take into account in reckoning with constituencies.

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