Topic: Encouraging Political Participation by Women
Country: France
Delegate Name: Kaci Carlson
School: Forest Hills Central High School
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All France position papers GLIMUN 2017 committees
In the year 2000, France implemented a law on political parity, allowing for equal access to political participation from both men and women. Women in France have had a long history of lack of representation in politics, in 1945 women represented only 5% of national assembly députés. They now make up about 11% of the deputes but only around 6 percent of the senators in the country. In many ways the European Union has been the main catalyst to pushing the French legislature toward adopting new measures in changing the political participation opportunities for women in France. The European Union has had great influences in the topics of employment discrimination and sexual harassment, gender stereotypes and gender quotas in decision making. Frances view on the topic of political participation by women is overall positive and encouraging towards a greater input from women. Our view and goal is to encourage a greater increase of activity and participation by women in parliament as well as politics as a whole. It is our belief that gender equality is a top priority and should be pushed and enforced by all forms and levels of government. France has been a long time member of the UN security council and women and peace committees and made resolutions and great strides toward equality.
