Political Participation of Women in Central and Eastern Europe [antikvár]

ATTILA MESTERHÂZYWelcoming remarksProgressives rightfully believe that women's participation in public life is an indicator of social justice. Societies where women are not equally represented in public functions and politicai debates cannot be fair societies. They can't be because in such countries, men take ali the décisions about matters affecting everyone, men and women equally. It is bad if exclusively men decide over the economy, the police, foreign policy, defence or agriculture.It is even worse if men décidé over issues where women's contribution would be essential. It is bad when almost exclusively men décidé what women need for bearing children; when men décidé about a woman's right to choose; when men décidé over the labour market and the protection of pregnant women; when men décidé which parent is to take parental leave; when men décidé what constitutes domestic violence; when men tell women how many children they should have in order not to be beaten to a pulp regularly by their partner.