Women’s Political Participation and Representation in Asia: Obstacles and Challenges

Kazuki Iwanaga
2007

Prominence has often been given to the lives and activities of such top female leaders in Asia as Indira Gandhi and Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. Indeed, the ability of a small elite of highly educated, upper-class Asian women to obtain the highest political positions in their country is unmatched elsewhere in the world and deserves study. But, for those interested in a more detailed understanding of how women strive and sometimes succeed as political actors in Asia, there is a marked lack of relevant research as well as of comprehensive and userfriendly texts. Aiming to fill the gap is this timely and important study of the various obstacles and opportunities for women’s political participation and representation in Asia. It is a singularly coherent, comprehensive and accessible volume, even though it brings together an array of prominent European and Asian academicians and researchers working in this field. The book covers a wide range of Asian countries, offers original data from various perspectives and engages the latest research on women in politics in Asia. It also aims to put the Asian situation in a global context by making a comparison with the situation in Europe The volume will be invaluable in women’s studies internationally and especially in Asia.