Stockholm, 24 June 1998 -- The numbers: There are 40,822 parliamentarians in the world today. Four thousand and four of them, or 11 per cent, are women. Less than 11 per cent of political party leaders world-wide are women. Eighteen women preside in the existing 240 houses of parliaments.

Beyond the numbers: Now that women have made some inroads into this political arena, how are they impacting on it? What obstacles impede women from impacting? By what means can women overcome these obstacles? What are the strategies women can and have used to change policies and the political process through parliament? What are some of the changes that have occurred now that women are entering this traditionally male world? The International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) has today published a new handbook, Women in Parliament: Beyond Numbers, which takes a closer look at these issues.

Following extensive consultation with former and present women MPs, this 230-page handbook was written with the input of parliamentarians, academics and activists. The editor of the handbook Dr Azza Karam, the author of Women, Islamisms and State: Contemporary Feminisms in Egypt, explains the goal of this work: "Translating the power of numbers into the power of action for women, by women, and in partnership with men, is what the next millennium will be about. We hope that with this handbook we have helped to point the way towards what will be a long and fruitful democratic process."

With a foreword by Frene Ginwala, Speaker of the National Assembly of South Africa, and case studies covering Costa Rica, Egypt, India, Jordan, Lebanon, Norway, Russia and South Africa Women in Parliament: Beyond Numbers gives a global perspective on women’s political struggle to impact on parliamentary politics. It also gives a detailed account of ways that the rules of parliaments can be changed to better serve women and to promote issues of concern to women.

"It is a fact that a concerted strategy by women parliamentarians to influence agendas by consistently introducing issues such as childcare, breast cancer screening, or sexual harassment into debates can and does impact over time," explains Dr Karam. "And of even greater importance is what women in parliament can do to make it easier for other women. There does seem to be a ‘critical mass’ which once achieved makes women’s impact even greater."

Women in Parliament: Beyond Numbers includes up-to-date statistics on women in politics and has a fold-out chart that describes a comprehensive strategy that women entering parliament can use. It also includes an annex describing how international conventions can be used to promote women and women’s issues.

"The problems of women’s representation in parliament are all too familiar," says Professor Pippa Norris of Harvard University, a leading researcher into women’s political participation. "The solutions are not. International IDEA provides new insights into the state of women’s political power world-wide and how changing the rules can make a difference. A stimulating and worthwhile study, this deserves to be put on the desks of world leaders marked ‘Action Strategy’. Women are transforming politics globally and this book shows how."

An interactive Website, featuring the full report, a news summary, graphics and a discussion forum for parliamentarians and activists will be launched today at www.idea.int/women

Women in Parliament: Beyond Numbers is available from International IDEA. The suggested price is $US 16.00 plus postage. An interactive Website where parliamentarians and activists can discuss issues that the book raises has also been created. (www.idea.int/women).

(ISSN: 1402-6759)

(ISBN: 91-89098-19-6)

To order: Website: www.idea.int/women

International IDEA Strömsborg S-103 34 Stockholm, Sweden

Tel. + 46-8-698 37 00, Fax. + 46-8-20 24 22 or by e-mail: info@idea.int