The Government in Exile: What Obama Can Do for Women

The old adage goes, "A picture is worth a thousand words," and for the 2008 presidential election the phrase could not ring truer. Images spanning the globe have frozen in time the immense joy and pride that many have felt at seeing Barack Obama become our nation's first African-American President-elect - and regardless of one's political affinity, no one can deny the tremendous historical nature of this election.

Indeed, from neighborhoods across America to the global community, people are energized by the possibilities which a new administration might offer. On the heels of an election that was often touted for its historic significance for women - a constituency that voted 56% in his favor on November 4th- the Obama administration would be wise to build on that momentum by addressing the struggling status for women in the U.S.

Despite the rise of women as political contenders and voters in the 2008 election season, the U.S. is woefully behind other nations in terms of parity in representation. Over the last decade, the United States has fallen from 47th in the world in women's political representation to 71st - behind such stalwarts of democracy as Iraq (33rd), Sudan (65th) and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (57th). Only weeks ago, Rwanda made global history when it became the first nation electing women to outnumber men in parliament.

Yet for all the advances that women are making on the global front, women's political participation here in the U.S. is lagging far behind the times.

Even in this election, where more women ran for congress than ever before in a presidential year, the net gain for women candidates was a mere four seats - one in the Senate and three in the House. We raised the percentage of women in Congress from a meager 16% to an equally paltry 17%, assuring that the U.S. would continue to lag woefully behind other countries in the numbers of women in national political leadership.

Historically, women have been the "government in exile" - leading at the foot of the table as a marginalized constituency. Yet to address the myriad of issues which confront women - from poverty and domestic violence to healthcare and work-life balance - women must be represented in the upper echelons of government where such issues are tackled and policy is enacted. Instead of addressing these issues in an inefficient and piecemeal fashion, a Presidential Commission on Women and Democracy would present the new administration with a vehicle to enact permanent and systemic change: by finding ways to have a more women at the tables of power at all levels, and fostering a truly representative democracy.

A diverse and critical mass of women in leadership - not to replace men, but to lead alongside them - would allow both genders to contribute new ways of dealing with the most difficult challenges our country has faced in this century. Programs such as The White House Project's Vote, Run, Lead have been critical to getting more women to enter the political pipeline, by equipping them with the inspiration, information, and necessary tools to run for elected office and win. Yet academic researchers have demonstrated that achieving a critical mass of women in politics requires an equal effort from governments - which is why The White House Project is spearheading the effort to urge the next administration to create this Commission.

The Presidential Commission on Women and Democracy would utilize leading academic and experiential methodologies to reverse our nation's dismal lag in gender parity. Members of the commission would be carefully appointed from a variety of sectors to bring a full range of nonpartisan domestic and international approaches, setting achievable goals by way of practical methods. Possible strategies might include: priority voting and other democracy reforms which result in wins by outsider candidates; guaranteed campaign loan funds; civil society curriculum in schools; increased training for women candidates; increased support from central party leadership for women candidates; and popular culture initiatives.

With the unprecedented popular momentum towards bipartisanship, civic engagement, and deep-seated political change, now is the time to move women from the "government in exile" to the "government in power." The prospect of an Obama administration which is open and appreciative of this effort is high; now is the time to capitalize on the opportunity. In a campaign whose rallying cry was "change", shifting the status of women in this country by bringing them fully to the tables of power would be a great place to start.

Follow Marie Wilson on Twitter: www.twitter.com/twhp

Comments

[Elizabeth Gregory - Huffpost Blogger]

I found this article after doing a search on how many women would now be in Congress -- and now I see why there were so few hits. Even the Emily's List site has nothing up.

If this is the rate we move, and if this is the level of response (representing women's views is no more important than representing those of left handed people?? come on!!) -- do we need to switch to a mandated system that requires gender parity in numbers of either officials or candidates for office, as in India and France, to get the job done?

There are so many barriers to women's participation, and it's so much not about "the best person" -- it's about who you know, who has money, who is encouraged to run, and what biases people feel about women in government. Time to shake up the system. Bringing in more women by one means or another will bring more perspectives and more ideas to the table -- and can only be positive for the nation.

[Jacki Zehner - Huffpost Blogger]

Thanks Marie for yet again a great piece and for continuing to put yourself on the front lines of this important discussion. Women deserve their space at the table in critical mass.Their are qualified women but the 'old boys network' rarely tries to find them. For all the talk of CHANGE that got Senator Obama in to the White House I pray he sees womens participation as part of that. The current leadership model is incomplete, and look where it got us? The 'best' men and women leading together is what will help get this country back on track. Men and women must more equally share in the decision making - from the home right on up, if the world is truly going to change for the better.

[johnwcowan]

Women in representative positions and in positions of power are even more important, if we *had* to choose one or the other, which we don't, than women voting. (George Bernard Shaw made this point back in the 19th century.)

For one thing, they are a huge source of diversity in thinking that the world can ill afford not to exploit. For another, groups without women are boy's clubs by nature, and a boy's club is all about finding out who's the alpha male and then doing whatever he says, no matter how irrational. Seeding a group with women, as long as they are not intimidated into silence, breaks up that undesirable dynamic.

[raggatt]

As a woman, I don't care if Obama selects women or not. As others have said, the only criteria should be: who's best for the job. Obama's obvious love and deep respect for his strong, educated, powerful black wife says everything I need to know about how Obama feels about women. The fact that he chose Michelle Obama to be our first lady is enough for me. I think it's awesome that she'll be the one whispering in his ear, not some Stepford Wife. Go Michelle!!!

[raggatt]

Ooops! That should have been "criterion." :)

[kapo]

It is nice to get women in top positions, and some candy is sure to be tossed around. But the real goal is to try to identify women who have what it takes to get a realistic shot at the top job. The issue is not what Obama does or does not do, but what destiny women choose. That is what the Obama campaign shows.

[Overd0g]

That is insane. Use the government to single out a specific group of citizens for increased representation? How are left handers represented in government? Maybe they need extra training. How about Asians? How about Pacific Islanders, Yahtzee players, and restroom attendants? Good grief. How about giving the money for the commission back to the people so they can afford their lives a little more?

[RallyGrrrl]

"Despite the rise of women as political contenders and voters in the 2008 election season, the U.S. is woefully behind other nations in terms of parity in representation. Over the last decade, the United States has fallen from 47th in the world in women's political representation to 71st -- behind such stalwarts of democracy as Iraq (33rd), Sudan (65th) and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (57th). Only weeks ago, Rwanda made global history when it became the first nation electing women to outnumber men in parliament."

"On the heels of an election that was often touted for its historic significance for women -- a constituency that voted 56% in his favor on November 4th -- the Obama administration would be wise to build on that momentum by addressing the struggling status for women in the U.S."

Interesting article.

[XME]

As a woman, I agree...in part. I think there is one thing more important than Obama choosing women, and that's him choosing the best and the brightest, the one who will do the best in each job. If that turns out to be a man, that person should get the job, and I do believe that Obama won't partake in choosing someone for the sake of diversity, but based on who's best qualified for the job.

[Nan2008]

As a woman, I say BS. Hell have no fury than a women/woman scorned. His administration HAD BETTER HAVE WOMAN AT EVERY LEVEL, and I DON'T MEAN POSITIONS THAT JUST DEAL WITH WOMAN'S ISSUES. I will say this much, his term will be for four years and if he DOESN'T DO RIGHT BY WOMEN the next election WILL NOT BE based on color before Gender it'll be the reverse.

[hippynanainblingland]

Oh, Sister, I wish you hadn't used the old adage "Hell hath no fury..." I've been advocating that said adage is no longer appropriate, indeed, never was, proven to be soooo inadequate by the stats showing how it is MEN who off their former partners, and oftentimes, their children and rest of their familes as well, when "scorned", in droves!

Other than that little disagreement, I fully agree with you. Lack of gender parity's a real problem, and should be high on the priority list of things to be addressed and resolved. Real peace won't happen until parity's achieved.

[XME]

Again, my point was that he should appoint a woman JUST for the sake of appointing a woman, without consideration of who's the most qualified. That doesn't help women...look at Sarah Palin. But I don't doubt that he will have a diversified staff.

[hippynanainblingland]

And who's to say that there's a lack of qualified women to be the "best and brightest"? The problem is that we are invisible; all it should take is aggressive searching to find us! We can't afford to be lazy and/or shy, we need to make ourselves highly visible and offer our services... and we need to bring those whom we know to be qualified to the forefront, and nominate them.

For example, I'm quite happy to nominate Marian Wright Edelman for Secretary of Education, and would like to see Barbara Ehrenreich considered for a post as well, and these are just two who I can name off the top of my head. True, neither of these two might want a position, or have the background in power to be able to be effective, but we have to start somewhere!

All I'm saying is that "the best and the brightest" need not necessarily be of the male gender.

[XME]

I couldn't agree with you more. My point was that it should be about selecting a woman, but about selecting the best. Sometimes that will be a man, sometimes a woman and he would be doing us (woman) a disservice if he selected a woman for something who was less qualified just because it was a woman. I don't think there's a better example of that right now than Sarah Palin!

[lauriemann]

I'm a big fan of Obama, but I'm a little concerned that there don't seem to be any women in major roles on his transition team...

[RallyGrrrl]

Very true, so far.

[toypiano]

Great article. Thanks for the research. I really hope O selects the best and the brightest for his administration and that it reflects the diversity of our country. There should be many women and ppl of color on his team! I'd also like to see more gender and racial diversity on the Supreme Court.

I have nothing against white men, but they are less than half the population yet seem to run every show. Now is a good time to broaden and deepen the commitment to equality, elevate ppl from traditionally marginalized segments to decision-making positions and to enact laws that level the playing field for all. That would help strengthen our democracy.

Very provocative idea to try and get an equal rights amendment passed. Maybe now is the time. I'd like to think that progressive men would be just as likely as progressive women to get it passed, but you may be right that a woman leading the effort might be more effective. Hmm.

[Coach2BYourBest]

I agree, this was a great article. I am concerned though that so far we haven't seen or heard of any women being considered for his cabinet. It may be to soon. I trust that he has many things to consider at this time but I do hope that women, people of color and people with disabilities are on his team! It is important that we have these groups represented in our government in larger numbers to represent the world that we live in. If we don't believe that there are individuals from these various groups to be among the brightest and the best then each of us must ask ourselves why not. What stops us from developing certain individuals from fulfilling these roles and what can and should we do as a nation to change that.

[Ninox]

Nicely written.

Now is it going to be 'Party Unity My A_ _' or will it be simply UNITY for the sake of the Nation whether or not all your expectations are met?

[Nan2008]

That's correct...'Party Unity My A$$'...if he doesn't do right by woman.

[Kassandra]

Oh! I wish I had written that!

Yes, Obama needs to capitalize on the energy of women in his administration so far, all I've heard about are men. Let's hope mightily that that is rectified.

[RobinHordon]

The smartest move for women, progressives, the Democratic Party, the environmental movement, the ACLU, every other organization supporting peace and justice, and Obama to make right now is to coalesce and to ask Hillary Clinton to take the lead in getting the Hillary Clinton Equal Rights Amendment passed.

Should this happen, then we will get the majority "nurturing class" to amass a long lasting force to get The Edward Kennedy National Single Payer Health Plan passed...maybe we will get to the war and peace issues...and maybe even the women will let Al Gore into the special "treehouse" along with all his "greeny stuff".

Nurture NOT Torture...­Healthcare NOT Warfare...Take Care of Our Mother Earth.

Our country has just passed one significant racial barricade that I never thought we would get beyond in my lifetime. Well, the political momentum, and all the demographic support is now perfectly in place to make the next, and LONG overdue step of establishing equality between men and women. This becomes a HUGE umbrella...the BIGGEST TENT!

The right wing has had their way for 40+ years, and they will steal, sleaze and brainwash their way back into power and influence.­..starting today. So, the wise thing to do is to place our boots on their throats, creat a powerful future force for progress, change our governace, and simply put, to do the right thing.

Love, Peace and Progress

Robin Hordon

[Kassandra]

I wish I'd written that too! esp " Hillary Clinton Equal Rights Amendment "

[Overd0g]

The earth wants you dead, I hope you know. It's not your mother. The earth and it's creatures will do all they can to kill you (and each other). It's only through technology that you survive.

[johnwcowan]

Well, sure. I don't think any of us are in favor of abolishing fire or agriculture.

And by the way, your view of Darwinism is seriously limited. Read Kropotkin's biological works some time to see how "survival of the fittest" can mean that those who are most cooperative are most fit.

[texanna]

One can hope that Mr. Obama more than anyone would understand that women are underrepresented and under served by our male-dominated government. I found the comments made in response to an article about how NOW wants to influence cabinet selections were interesting. Too many of them basically said "Who are you to ask for any influence?" I certainly the organizations advocating for women don't hang back, but step up and make their voices heard. If we don't, we're likely to get about as much consideration for our issues as we've gotten in the past. It is an historical fact that when a society improves the lot of their female citizens, the country as a whole improves.

[Altalena]

I believe that there was a woman on the Republican ticket. At least be honest about it. Its not just being a woman. You have to be a liberal. If not then your a pig, right?

[XME]

Actually it's neither...it's about being qualified. If Obama selects women because they are women, even if they aren't qualified for the job, it would be JUST as wrong and disasterous as when John McCain chose his running mate assuming that the only thing that mattered was that she was a woman.

[Overd0g]

That is correct, in the Huffpo universe.