Gendered Experiences of Political Participation in European Democracies

Purpose: The aim of the study was to assess gendered experiences of political participation in European democracies. Methodology: This study adopted a desk methodology. A desk study research design is commonly known as secondary data collection. This is basically collecting data from existing resources preferably because of its low cost advantage as compared to a field research. Our current study looked into already published studies and reports as the data was easily accessed through online journals and libraries. Findings: The study indicated persistent disparities between men and women in various aspects of political engagement. Despite advancements in gender equality, women continue to face significant barriers that hinder their full participation in politics. The study revealed disparities in political representation, with women being underrepresented in political offices and decision-making positions across Europe. Additionally, women often encounter obstacles such as gender stereotypes, discrimination, and unequal access to resources like funding and networks, which limit their ability to engage effectively in political processes. Implications to Theory, Practice and Policy: Social role theory, intersectionality theory and feminist institutionalism may be used to anchor future studies on assessing gendered experiences of political participation in European democracies. Educational institutions and civil society organizations should collaborate to develop and implement gender-sensitive political education programs aimed at raising awareness about gender inequalities in political participation and promoting the value of women's voices in decision-making processes. Policymakers should consider implementing gender quota policies, such as legislative quotas or party quotas, to increase women's representation in political institutions.