Women in Politics
In Women in Politics, host Radzi Chinyanganya explores the current state of gender representation in global politics. At present, 25% of politicians worldwide are women. This video delves into the importance of gender quotas, which aim to ensure more female representation in governments and help level the playing field in leadership positions. This video is excerpted from BBC’s My World, a program created for teenagers eager to learn more about the important stories shaping our world.
Lesson Express
Q: What do you think of the fact that 25% of world politicians are women?
A: Student responses will vary. Students may express surprise or agreement, discussing the implications of this statistic for global politics and gender equality.
Q: What would equal representation in politics look like? How could this be achieved?
A: Student responses will vary. Students should explore the importance of equal gender representation in decision-making and brainstorm methods, such as gender quotas or initiatives to encourage women’s political participation.
Q: Do you think gender quotas are a good idea? Why or why not?
A: Student responses will vary. Students should discuss both the advantages and disadvantages of gender quotas in politics, weighing the need for fair representation against potential concerns over fairness or merit.
More Like This
In Chhavi Rajawat, Local Leader in India, learn how Rajawat left her corporate career to serve her rural community in India. After new quotas increased opportunities for women leaders, she took on a mayor-like role to help address poverty and challenges faced by villagers, especially women. This video is excerpted from BBC's Her Story — The Female Revolution, which explores the history and impact of women’s rights movements and achievements of women.
In The Female Future Engineers of India, Sue Perkins travels to Patna, India, where she learns about a school helping girls become engineers. These schools, which have grown from three to 18 in just 20 years, are empowering young women to chase big dreams. While the girls share their hopes for the future, they discuss how, despite their education, their parents still have the final say in who they marry. Sue highlights how, over the past couple of decades, these women have gone from staying at home to gaining powerful skills for their careers. This video is excerpted from BBC’s The Ganges with Sue Perkins, which showcases Sue’s journey along the Ganges River, exploring its cultural and spiritual significance in India.
In Julia Gillard, Education Advocate, listen as the former Australian Prime Minister reflects on her leadership and her work to expand education opportunities for girls worldwide. Drawing from her family’s experience with poverty and limited schooling, she advocates for equal access to education while facing criticism and gender bias during her political career. This video is excerpted from BBC's Her Story — The Female Revolution, which explores the history and impact of women’s rights movements and achievements of women.
In Michelle Bachelet, Chile's First Woman President, learn how Michelle Bachelet challenged traditional expectations in a conservative country. As an atheist and a divorced single mother, she promoted gender equality by appointing an equal number of men and women to her cabinet, reshaping leadership norms. This video is excerpted from BBC's Her Story — The Female Revolution, which explores the history and impact of women’s rights movements and achievements of women.
In Chhavi Rajawat, Local Leader in India, learn how Rajawat left her corporate career to serve her rural community in India. After new quotas increased opportunities for women leaders, she took on a mayor-like role to help address poverty and challenges faced by villagers, especially women. This video is excerpted from BBC's Her Story — The Female Revolution, which explores the history and impact of women’s rights movements and achievements of women.
In The Female Future Engineers of India, Sue Perkins travels to Patna, India, where she learns about a school helping girls become engineers. These schools, which have grown from three to 18 in just 20 years, are empowering young women to chase big dreams. While the girls share their hopes for the future, they discuss how, despite their education, their parents still have the final say in who they marry. Sue highlights how, over the past couple of decades, these women have gone from staying at home to gaining powerful skills for their careers. This video is excerpted from BBC’s The Ganges with Sue Perkins, which showcases Sue’s journey along the Ganges River, exploring its cultural and spiritual significance in India.
In Julia Gillard, Education Advocate, listen as the former Australian Prime Minister reflects on her leadership and her work to expand education opportunities for girls worldwide. Drawing from her family’s experience with poverty and limited schooling, she advocates for equal access to education while facing criticism and gender bias during her political career. This video is excerpted from BBC's Her Story — The Female Revolution, which explores the history and impact of women’s rights movements and achievements of women.
In Michelle Bachelet, Chile's First Woman President, learn how Michelle Bachelet challenged traditional expectations in a conservative country. As an atheist and a divorced single mother, she promoted gender equality by appointing an equal number of men and women to her cabinet, reshaping leadership norms. This video is excerpted from BBC's Her Story — The Female Revolution, which explores the history and impact of women’s rights movements and achievements of women.