Two years ago, I attended a program called N.E.W. Leadership at University of Oklahoma. The program brought together over 30 undergraduate women from across the state and gave us the tools, knowledge and encouragement we need to become more involved in public policy, leadership and the political system.
I was still testing the waters of politics when I attended, but N.E.W. Leadership gave me so much information about women in politics and helped me find a passion for encouraging women to play a part in politics.
Women are severely underrepresented in our political system. It’s been nearly a century since women were given the right to vote through the 19th Amendment. Since that time, many women have served as governors, Congresswomen and in local offices. However, despite the 97-year history of women’s involvement in politics, women have yet to fully embrace public office or be fully embraced by voters for public office.
In the United States, women make up slightly over half of the total population; yet, in our U.S. Congress, women hold merely 19.6 percent of the 535 available seats. Across the country, only 25 percent of state legislators are women. In my home state of Oklahoma, that number drops to a shocking 12.8 percent. Out of nearly 150 seats in our state legislature, we only have 19 women. In a state of 4 million people and 2 million women, we only have 19 females in our state legislature. And frankly, I think that’s pathetic.
Despite low numbers, female elected officials have significant impact in politics. Female members of Congress secure more dollars from federal discretionary programs than their male counterparts do. Female legislators are also more likely to focus on issues pertaining to children and families and advocate for rehabilitation programs when deliberating crime and punishment than male politicians. In roles as legislature committee chairs, women are more likely than men to act as discussion facilitators. On a local level, female city council members spend more time doing constituency service than their male counterparts. Women city managers incorporate citizen input into their decisions at a higher rate than their male counterparts.
A 2013 study from American University found that female politicians are generally perceived by their constituents as more competent and integrous than male politicians in the same office, district and party. Women are also viewed as being more “in tune” with their voters, many of whom agree that the female politician better represents the constituents’ interests than a male politician. A 2017 study from University of Massachusetts, Amherst, shows that when women run for office, they have just as much of a chance as a male candidate as winning.
So if women do such a fantastic job in politics, why is there such a disproportionate gender gap in our system? The problem we’re facing is that women are significantly less likely than men to run for office in the first place.
The American University study found several reasons for this gender gap in political ambition. Throughout their lives, women are less likely to receive encouragement to run for office by their parents, friends, family or other connections. Even when well-established in their careers, young women are less likely than young men with similar backgrounds to believe they are qualified to serve in public office.
There is no doubt that we still have a long way to go to providing women with an equal role at the table. There are numerous non-profits available with resources to encourage and mentor women interested in public service. If you’re not interested in public service for yourself, please, encourage a woman you know to consider running for office or stepping into another leadership role. It’s past time to ensure that women feel ready to run and lead. If you’re a woman who is ready to step up and serve your community, I hope you consider adding your name to the ballot.
Disclaimer: I’m not telling you to vote for a candidate simply because she is a female. That’s sexist. You should vote for whomever you believe will best represent your opinions and interests. However, I do think more women should run for office in the first place.
Questions? Leave a comment below and let me know your thoughts!
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Puns, Politics and PR is a blog used by 21-year-old Tori to express her thoughts on issues concerning politics, communications, faith and life.
PUNS, POLITICS AND PR 