Slovene political parties and their influence on the electoral prospects of women

Abstract

An exploration of the theories of equal participation of men and women within the new parties in Slovenian political life alongside the realities of gender parity allows questions to be raised concerning the gendered nature of citizenship within the new political climate in Slovenia. It is apparent that the gender balance changed in the elections between 1990 and 1996. The development of women's groups and forums, first outside the political party structures and later within them, highlights the ways in which women's self‐organization used governmental mechanisms to challenge inequities of Slovenian party political life. The efforts and the range of activities undertaken by women's groups draw attention to the provisions which need to be made if the parties are to make transparent their policy towards the issue of ‘equal presence’. Most parties confine themselves to the verbal strategies of supporting women's entry into politics and are unwilling to take steps or adopt strategies involving positive action, such as quotas. The result of such a policy in Slovenia (definitely not only due to the parties) is that there are only seven women among 90 deputies in lower house of parliament. It is recognized that, even if quotas were implemented, these alone would not be sufficient because what is needed is a political atmosphere that is favourably disposed towards the equality of men and women within political parties and in society as a whole.