The core rationale of the feminist movement entails freedom from gender bias and the women’s right to equality. This movement embodies ‘empowerment’ of women and stands for social and political upliftment of women all across the globe. Despite its unpopularity from certain male-dominated countries which lean towards subjugation of women’s rights, many positive changes are taking place today; one major change being the political representation of women. But, what benefits can women expect to derive from this participation in politics?

To begin with, women’s political representation by itself cannot suffice to make a significant impact on the feminist movement in general and women in particular. The problems women face especially in underdeveloped countries, cover a vast range of issues which cannot be specifically solved simply with their rights in political participation; they are dependent more importantly, on the number of women voting intelligently. Besides, several considerations like class and ethnic backgrounds would need to be taken into account for a successful outcome. In nations, where political awareness is at the lowest, it could have little or no effect on women. Hence, in these nations, women would first need to understand the ‘essence’ of political representation in its entirety. Most of these women are oblivious of their rights; it is only when realization of their overall basic human rights and legal rights sets in, that they will be able to progress positively. Only then, through increased awareness, can women’s political representation bring about social justice.

Resistance to change in the context of women’s empowerment has been coming from certain countries in Asia. Although the involvement of several NGO’s are geared to offer support on a broader basis, much remains to be done by way of influencing members of the Parliament to pass legislation in women’s favor. The Asia Foundation has stepped in this regard; it has also been continually supporting women’s leadership at government and non-government levels so that more women can get elected and have a “voice.” Women’s political representation encompasses many areas which are all interlinked under one umbrella; however, simply electing more women into parliament, may not necessarily suffice to strengthen the feminist movement. To truly empower women and move the policies in favor of women’s rights, many other factors like race, class, income and social status inevitably come into play especially while exercising their voting rights.

Political analysists believe that increased participation of women on the political front has every possibility of yielding a powerful impact on the economic, educational, political and social status of women worldwide. Studies indicate that today, there is an increasing number of scholars pursuing study of gender politics internationally. The maximum research in this area is in Britain where there has been a substantial rise of women’s representation in the country’s major institutions. Many activists of the feminist movement world-wide, are now reconsidering introduction of new policies and approaches with the sole intent of making women’s voices heard. As complex as it may seem, there is a strong indication that women today are continuing to forge ahead in shaping the democracies of their respective countries. In the United States, the strong leadership of women like Hillary Clinton initially as the First Lady and now as the Secretary of State, clearly indicates that women’s political participation can be the key component of democracy.

Today, the feminist movement in collaboration with United Nations has taken giant strides; it has adopted a broader perspective on national and international scale. Although gender inequalities continue to persist in many nations across the globe, there is hope; women’s political representation will continue to impact the feminist movement in the years to come.