A Democracia pela Metade

Elementos de Análise Sobre a Baixa Participação das Mulheres nos Espaços de Poder e Decisão

Abstract

This article presents the constitutive aspects of the discussions proposed by feminism to society, with reach in the academy, about the exclusion of women from political and decision-making processes. Therefore, it highlights as an assumption the recognition of the historically constructed differences that result in an under-representation of women and their specific claims. This exclusion was incorporated into the foundation of the Modern State and, according to feminist theorists, gave rise to the incomplete concept of equality, since it overlooks gender inequalities. The construction of the public policy agenda for women has as its first obstacle the under-representation of women in decision-making spaces, which is in contrast to the condition of the majority of the population and the voters. Notwithstanding this context, the activities of the women’s and feminist movements, leveraged by the agenda of multilateral and bilateral organizations, have opened the possibility of spaces that are more sensitive to new practices aimed at guaranteeing women’s full citizenship. To exemplify these transformations promoted by the Brazilian government during these periods, it is possible to highlight the entities responsible for the implementation of public policies, the Conferences and National Policy Plans for women, the law known as “Maria da Penha” and other measures to fight against and decrease gender inequalities. The consolidation of these achievements implies in a democratic environment capable of bringing to light the historically neglected demands of the excluded sectors, which are placed as secondary, such as women agenda.