Women deserve better, political parties agree-Windhoek Observer

Normal 0 21 false false false MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 Name of article: Women deserve better, political parties agree
Name of Publication: Windhoek Observer
Date: Saturday October 24 – Friday October 30, 2009
Country: Namibia
Theme: Gender Equality
Genre: Feature
GEM Classification: Gender aware with missed opportunities

Analysis

The introduction summarises issues that impact on women as citizens. The heading and introduction zoom-in on gender equality and political parties manifesto and/or views on gender equality. The article ties the parties’ manifesto to the elections.
All participating political parties forward their views on their policies. While readers have information on political parties perspective on equity, the article fails to critically assess political parties’ promises and/or review gender equity policies and implementation in the country. In this way it falls short of measuring the strengths and weaknesses and ends up providing a platform for parties. It holds no party or government to account.
Women, gender-specific and other NGOs voices are silent and this adds to the shortfall in the article. A holistic analysis of gender equity is negated. The article could have been strong but reverts to a spin by parties for their parties, with some parties having more space than others. It was a missed opportunity to tackle gender equality head-on.
The article does show that gender equality is addressed unevenly by parties, with some parties chatting more about to equity policies than others.
On the positive side the gender-dimensions to multiple issues are brought to the fore from the onset. The article clearly aims to raise the bar and mainstream gender issues.

Download : The introduction summarises issues that impact on women as citizens. The heading and introduction zoom-in on gender equality and political parties manifesto and/or views on gender equality. The article ties the parties