Lina Ellinas1 Gender Equality and the New Dimensions in Local Authorities Hilton, Nicosia June 1, 2007.

Lina Ellinas 1

Gender Equality and the New

Dimensions in Local Authorities

Hilton, Nicosia

June 1, 2007

Lina Ellinas 2

Research Identity Part of the EU project ‘Gender Equality

and the New Dimensions in Local Authorities’.

Co-funded by the European Commission, Employment and Social Affairs DG (80%) and the Ministry of Justice (NMWR) (20%).

Coordination: NMWR

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Research Identity Coverage: pancyprian, covering the large

municipalities Objective: to gain some insight regarding the

voters’ attitude towards gender and politics Form: telephone interviews, carried out by the

Intercollege Research Center in two phases. Phase 1: Oct. – Dec. 2006. Sample: 980 Phase 2: Jan. – Mar. 2007. Sample: 1096

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Research Identity Focus of Phase 1

The voters’ interest in politics and their political ideology

Influencing factors in their forming of an opinion on a party/ candidate

Their experience/ attitude toward female candidates

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Research Identity Focus of Phase 2

comparing the respondents’ intention (stated in phase 1) with their actual vote

seeing through the voters’ frame of reference how women’s involvement in politics could be enhanced.

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Election Results - Highlights 2 mayors in the 6 large municipalities are

women (33%), but in the total of 33 urban municipalities still 2 women mayors (6%)

Women’s representation on the ballots: 19.5%. Women elected 20.3%.

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Women’s representation is increasing, albeit at a slow rate.

Elections Women’s Representation

(%)

Increase (%)

1986 12.2

1991 14.1 +2.1

1996 17.2 +2.9

2001 18.6 +1.4

2006 20.3 +1.7

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Women’s representation by partyPolitical Party Women Elected (%)

AKEL 28.9

DYSI 17.7

DEKO 22.1

EDEK 8.1

EDP 66.7

GREEN PARTY 33.3

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Influencing factors in forming an opinion about the candidates

Hardly (%) Sometimes (%) Often (%)

Party decisions 72 21 7

Family 73 20 7

Participation in political activities

70 24 6

TV talk shows 59 32 9

Print media 59 31 10

candidates’ program

61 29 10

Candidates’ advertising

62 30 8

NMWR campaign 46 36 18

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Influencing Factors in Voters’ DecisionsHardly

important (%)Moderately

important (%)Very

important (%)

Gender 89 7 4

Age 61 30 9

Education 5 15 80

Experience 3 12 85

Honesty 1 7 92

Meritocracy 1 8 91

Competence 3 8 89

Personality 3 8 89

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Voters’ attitude towards women candidates

Yes

(%)

No

(%)

Did you vote for a woman in 2006?

72 28

If yes, would you do it again?

100 0

If not, would you do so in future?

90 10

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Voters’ attitude towards women candidates

If yes, why? Before the elections (%)

After the elections (%)

Worthy & competent candidate

74 56

Women are more delicate

31 24

There should be more women in politics

33 48

For personal reasons/ Other

12 24

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Voters’ attitude towards women candidatesIf not, why not? Before the elections

(%)After the elections

(%)

Men more experienced 1 7

Men have more time 1 5

Men more competent 1 4

No competent woman candidate

0 5

A woman belongs in the house

1 3

It hasn’t happened yet 61 46

Other 0 10

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Between two equal candidates, whom would you vote for?

Options Percentage (%)

(probably) the male candidate

20

It doesn’t matter 36

(probably) the female candidate

44

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Voters’ Suggested QuotaOptions Percentage (%)

20% - 80% 13

30% - 70% 20

40% - 60% 21

50% -50% 46

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Do you believe that parties promote men and women equally?

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

Yes No

Yes, 26% No, 74%

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Would you appreciate it if parties promoted men and women equally?

0102030405060708090

100

Yes Itdoesn'tmatter

Yes, 93% No, 1% It doesn’t matter

6%

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Strengthening women’s involvement in politics

A little (%) Moderately (%) A lot (%)

Advertising Campaigns

30 44 26

50% - 50% quota 28 41 31

Equal promotion 9 35 57

Recruiting European politicians

20 44 36

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Recommended Actions Parties should provide equal opportunities

to all their members regardless of gender. Women candidates should not be selected

shortly before the elections. The government should take steps toward

achieving a 30% representation of women.

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Recommended Actions The EU should monitor the progress made

by the member states/ parties towards achieving a 50% -50% balance.

Enhance campaigns for gender equality. EU funds to be utilized in assisting women

with their multiple roles. Youth councils

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Recommended Actions The role of the mass media. ‘Recruiting’ successful women politicians

from the EU.

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Thank you for your attention!