The Representation of Polish and Czech Women in National Politics: Predicting Electoral List Position

Abstract

Women's participation in legislatures has significant policy consequences.1 In transitional societies, like postcommunist countries, where policy decisions determine economic and political structures, low levels of female representation can have longterm ramifications for women's opportunities. For example, policies enacted early in the transitional period in both Poland and the Czech Republic negatively affected the economic and personal security of women.2 Prior to 1989 the Communist party used ideology and gender quotas to overcome cultural barriers to women's participation in politics. During the Communist period 20-25 percent of nationally elected representatives in eastern Europe were women, and their levels of participation in local and regional politics were among the highest worldwide. Even though many conditions under Communism shaped and limited women's influence in national politics, adherence to Marxist-Leninist ideology insured women a minimum level of participation in national and local party politics.3 Across all the former Communist countries, the first competitive and free elections in 1989-1992 resulted in a marked decrease in the proportion of women serving in national parliaments. However, in almost all of these countries the percent of women's representation has increased slightly with each successive election.4 After the first democratic election women comprised 10 percent of representatives in Poland and 10 percent in Czechoslovakia. Currently, women comprise 20 percent of representatives in Poland and 15 percent in the Czech Republic. Polish and Czech women's participation in politics is a function of the degree to which political parties are willing to place women in electoral list positions that improve their chances of being elected.