INTRODUCTION TO INTRODUCTION TO POLITICAL PARTIESPOLITICAL PARTIES

Women and Political Parties

The National Democratic Institute

INTRODUCTIONS/INTRODUCTIONS/GROUND RULESGROUND RULES

• Introductions• Ground rules• Ice breaker exercise

INTRODUCTION TO INTRODUCTION TO POLITICAL PARTIES POLITICAL PARTIES

OBJECTIVESOBJECTIVES• To understand the roles, functions

and organization of parties• To consider the importance of

internal democracy to increase representation of women

Photo: Amy Hamelin, NDI

INTRODUCTION TO POLITICAL INTRODUCTION TO POLITICAL PARTIES TOPICSPARTIES TOPICS

• Roles of political parties• Party elements and functions• Internal party democracy• Women’s participation

KEY TERMSKEY TERMS• Political

party• Democracy• Ruling party• Opposition• Transparenc

y• Other

terms? Photo: NDI

EXERCISE: ROLES OF EXERCISE: ROLES OF POLITICAL PARTIESPOLITICAL PARTIES

• What are the basic roles of parties in a democracy?

Photo: Amy Hamelin, NDI

ROLE OF POLITICAL ROLE OF POLITICAL PARTIESPARTIES

• Competing in elections to gain influence

• Aggregating and representing social interests

• Providing a structure for political participation

• Providing policy alternatives• Training political leaders

PARTIES AND CITIZENSPARTIES AND CITIZENS

Meaningful choices in governance

Avenues for political participation

Exert pressure on the political system

Put local concerns in a national context

Citizens Political Parties

CIVIL SOCIETY AND CIVIL SOCIETY AND PARTIESPARTIES

• CSOs: all groups outside government• Can play an active role in politics• Focus on fewer issues• Do not seek political office• Can work with a range of parties

Photo: NDI

PARTIES AND ELECTIONSPARTIES AND ELECTIONS• Communicate competing policies• Provide candidates• Engage in debate• Foster citizen participation• Get out the vote• Set electoral rules• Promote electoral integrity• Abide by results

PARTIES IN PARLIAMENT PARTIES IN PARLIAMENT AND LOCAL BODIESAND LOCAL BODIES

• Implement legislative agenda• Address citizens’ concerns• Party discipline• Committee work • Coalitions

Photo: NDI

PARTIES IN GOVERNMENTPARTIES IN GOVERNMENT

• Run affairs of country• Develop and implement policy• Oversee government agencies• Account for funds• Deliver on campaign promises

PARTIES IN OPPOSITIONPARTIES IN OPPOSITION• Contribute to accountability• Monitor government actions• Propose policy alternatives• Seek compromise and solutions

Photo: NDI

NEED FOR PARTIESNEED FOR PARTIES

• Political parties are not perfect but…• Scattering of individuals wouldn’t

function• Groups would take on party

characteristics• No other institution represents

citizens’ interests as well

DIVERSITY AMONG PARTIESDIVERSITY AMONG PARTIES

• Size• Funding• Penetration within the country• Ethnic makeup• Ideology• Governing vs. opposition

NATIONAL PARTIESNATIONAL PARTIESParty Seats in

National Assembly

African National Congress

264

Democratic Alliance 67

Congress of the People 30

Inkatha Freedom Party 18

Map: Wikipedia

PARTY ELEMENTS AND PARTY ELEMENTS AND FUNCTIONSFUNCTIONS

• Constitution• Internal structure and communications– Branches– Subgroups

• Leadership selection• Platform/policy development• Membership• Funding

CONSTITUTIONCONSTITUTION

Party Constitution

Defines philosophy,values, principles

purpose

Defines internalorganization and

structure

Outlines internal decision-making

process

Membership eligibilityLeadership positionsand selection process

Roles and relationship among

different units

EXERCISE: EXPLORING EXERCISE: EXPLORING CONSTITUTIONSCONSTITUTIONS

• Political philosophy/values• Internal organization/structure• Decision-making process• Membership• Leadership positions and selection

PARTY STRUCTUREPARTY STRUCTURE

PARTY BRANCHESPARTY BRANCHESBranch

Leaders and Members

Have defined roles and responsibilities

Understand the party’s mission,

goals and strategies

Report information to leadership

Engage leaders in exchange of ideas

and decision-making

Party’s position on issues

Advice on how to discuss difficult/controversial issues

Info about political events/developments

PARTY SUBGROUPSPARTY SUBGROUPS

LEADERSHIP SELECTIONLEADERSHIP SELECTION• Indirect or direct elections• Party conventions• Term limits• Representation of women, youth,

etc.

Photo: NDI

POLICY DEVELOPMENTPOLICY DEVELOPMENT

Policy developed/informed by:• Party research staff• Ad hoc group of experts and party

members• Consultations and/or public forums

MEMBERSHIPMEMBERSHIPMember rights• Elect the party leadership• Participate in candidate selection• Access party-only forums• Receive special information

Photo: NDI

MEMBERSHIPMEMBERSHIPMember responsibilities• Contribute to and know policies and

platform• Understand constitution and

organization• Ensure party reflects their interests• Hold leaders accountable

PARTY FUNDINGPARTY FUNDING

• Private–Membership fees–Donations from members,

organizations and businesses–Revenue generating projects/events

• Public–Direct– Indirect

Photo: www.pixabay.com

EXERCISE: EXERCISE: ORGANIZATIONAL ORGANIZATIONAL SUCCESS FACTORSSUCCESS FACTORS

• Characteristics of an effective party• Why are they important?• What are the consequences if they

are lacking?

Photo: Amy Hamelin, NDI

ORGANIZATIONAL ORGANIZATIONAL SUCCESS FACTORSSUCCESS FACTORS

• Transparent decision-making procedures• Understood roles and responsibilities• Clear and frequent communication

INTERNAL PARTY INTERNAL PARTY DEMOCRACYDEMOCRACY

• Abiding by rules of procedure• Holding leaders accountable• Seeking views of members• Encouraging participation of all• Representing all of society

EXERCISE: PARTY TRIANGLE EXERCISE: PARTY TRIANGLE

WHY WOMEN?WHY WOMEN?

• Higher standards of living• Concerns of marginalized voters

represented• Collaborative leadership styles• Work across party lines• Peace building• Better decisions

WHY DO PARTIES NEED WHY DO PARTIES NEED WOMEN?WOMEN?

• To gain party supporters and mobilize resources

• To help develop a platform that includes interests of all voters

• To win elections!

Photo: Amy Hamelin, NDI

WOMEN’S PARTICIPATIONWOMEN’S PARTICIPATIONPartPartyy

Women LeadersWomen Leaders % of % of MemberMemberss

MQMMQM Rabta CommitteeRabta Committee

1. Dr. Nasreen Jalil1. Dr. Nasreen Jalil

2. Ms. Mumtaz Anwar2. Ms. Mumtaz Anwar

18%18%

PML PML Central CabinetCentral Cabinet

1. Dr. Hamida Khorho, Senior Vice-President1. Dr. Hamida Khorho, Senior Vice-President

2. Mrs. Yaqut Jamil-ur-Rehman, Vice-President2. Mrs. Yaqut Jamil-ur-Rehman, Vice-President

3. Begum Mehnaz Rafi, Vice-President3. Begum Mehnaz Rafi, Vice-President

4. Ms. Nilofer Bakhtiar, President, Women’s 4. Ms. Nilofer Bakhtiar, President, Women’s WingWing

14%14%

PML-NPML-N Central CabinetCentral Cabinet

1. Begum Tehmina Daultana, Vice-President1. Begum Tehmina Daultana, Vice-President

2. Begum Ishrat Ashraf2. Begum Ishrat Ashraf

3. Ms. Najma Hameed3. Ms. Najma Hameed

4%4%

PPPPPP Central Executive CommitteeCentral Executive Committee

1. Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto, Chairperson 1. Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto, Chairperson

2. Begum Nusrat Bhutto Rahbar2. Begum Nusrat Bhutto Rahbar

5%5%

WOMEN’S WING WOMEN’S WING STRUCTURESTRUCTURE

• National, regional, local branches• Linkage to “mother party”• Representation on decision-making

bodies• Funding and resources• Risk: can marginalize women

EXERCISE: WHAT CAN A EXERCISE: WHAT CAN A WOMEN’S WING DO?WOMEN’S WING DO?

Photo: NDI

WOMEN’S WINGSWOMEN’S WINGS• Build awareness of gender frameworks• Draft gender equality policies and lobby

for and monitor their implementation• Network with women from other parties• Identify and engage male allies• Train women• Encourage and fund women candidates• Lobby leaders on women’s issues

WOMEN’S PARTIESWOMEN’S PARTIES

• Formed in many countries• Success has been limited• Prompted discussions on women's

rights and political participation

Photo: Katie Croake, NDI

INTRODUCTION TO PARTIES INTRODUCTION TO PARTIES REVIEWREVIEW

Effective parties are cornerstone of democracy and

• represent social interests and provide policy choices

• vary but have common structures• are transparent, democratic and

communicative• promote the participation of women