Topic: Encouraging Political Participation by Women
Country: United States
Delegate Name: Dawson Benjamin Armbrester
School: Forest Hills Eastern High School
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All United States position papers GLIMUN 2017 committees
Around the world, men control the political process at the expense of women and many women are left without much representation, voice, and natural human rights. In Ethiopia, women work 13 to 17 hour workdays; they are poorer and less-educated than Ethiopian men and have little time to participate or vote in the political process. In Yemen, only 42% of women are literate and of the 301 seats in the House of Representatives, only 1 member is female. In Pakistan, only 25% of women are in the labor force in comparison to 86% of men. The United States of America prides itself on freedom and equal rights and since 1920, when women were granted suffrage in the 19th amendment, women have been able to engage in the political process at their own will.
With 21% of the senate, 19% of the house, and 12% of the state governors being women, allowing women to participate in politics in the United States is not as significant of an issue as it is in other countries. Not to mention, 63.3% of eligible women voted in the 2016 presidential election compared to only 59.3% of eligible men. The opportunity for women to participate in politics is definitely available. Title VII of the Civil rights act of 1964 is a federal law that prohibits employers from discriminating against employees on the basis of sex, race, color, national origin, and religion. It generally applies to employers with 15 or more employees, including federal, state, and local governments. Given this, women have the complete capability to run for office and participate politically if they choose to do so. Also, the United States supports women participation in politics in other countries as well. The United States strongly supports the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action which advances women’s worldwide social and economic empowerment and promotes women’s public and private leadership which will encourage women to participate in politics more. The U.S. also supports the ILO Declaration of 1998 which allows women to gain the financial and social means to be more involved in politics.
Although women have the opportunity to participate in politics in the United States, the U.S. can do a better job instilling confidence and courage within females throughout the world that strive to make political change. Using the private sector and not government resources, the U.S. is creating new programs, such as the Equal Futures Partnership, to help women’s empowerment in politics throughout the world. The United States commend UN Women's efforts to leverage its unique position in the UN system to help close the global gender gap and create more economic and political opportunities for women. Additionally, Nikki Haley, the United States ambassador to the United Nations, states “There is no room here for cultural relativism. This Human Rights Council must adopt strong resolutions condemning violence and discrimination against women and it must take a decisive action to eliminate trafficking.” Thousands of Yazidi women and girls have been kidnapped by ISIS and then bought and sold like animals. The victims of rape and sexual slavery are understandably reluctant to speak out publicly. The United States can help these women, and women in countries of strife, by supporting their inclusion into the peace processes which would help women further integrate themselves into the labor force and politics. This kind of support, along with involvement in the UN Strategic Plan from 2018-2021, will allow the United States to inspire women’s participation in politics throughout the world.
