Guidelines for equal opportunities in the fields of politics and trade unions Communication by...

Guidelines for equal opportunities in the fields of politics and trade unions

Communication by Claudia Colonnello, ASDO Madrid, Athena meeting, July 3rd 2008

THE PROJECT WOMEN AND POLITICS (RADEP)

General aim

Understanding the reasons that all to

often keep women away from politics in

order to work out and experiment

hypotesis for a solution to the problem

AN INTEGRATED PROCESS

Research Experimentation Public communication Networking Institutional relations Monitoring and evaluation activities

THE FACTORS EXCLUDING WOMEN FROM POLITICS AND UNIONISM

1. Widespread (diffused) vertical segregation

2. Material constraints (Physical restrictions on the presence of women in politics)

3. Ambiguity of public opinion consensus (Ambiguities in the consensus of public opinion)

4. Normative and behavioural inertia

5. Irresolution in promoting women’s access (Lack of resolve in promoting the access of women)

6. Women’s biographical knots and curricular diversity

7. Disarmony (dissonance) between the genders in the exercise of political power

8. Fragmentary nature of mobilisation to promote women’s leadership (Fragmented mobilisation for female leadership)

THE CHALLENGE OF THE PRATICAL

Under what conditions

change is possible?

THE SEMINAR “GENDER DIFFERENCE AND DEMOCRACY. IDEAS, EXPERIMENTATIONS AND ROUTES” (ROME, MARCH 12-13, 2008)

Background paper Scientific papers Final Research Report Guidelines Brochure GAIA Repertory of best praxis

www.donnepolitica.org (downloads)

TWO PRE-REQUISITES TO OBTAIN CHANGE

Actor’s AWARENESS about “what is at stake”– Insufficiency of solely individual strategies– Existence of a male-dominant “matrix” of the

public sphere, which does not include the female gender

– Existence of element of ambivalence in the situation of women who are active in the public sphere

Orientation and capabilities to sistematically pratice NEGOTIATION

THE PATHS TOWARDS THE GUIDELINES FOR EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

IN THE FIELDS OF POLITICS AND TRADE UNIONS

Action based on knowledge– Objective barriers– Subjective attitudes of women

The first draft of the “Guidelines for the experimentation” based on the research findings

PILOT EXPERIMENTS

Selection of 6 micro-projects (proposed by 2 political organisations, 2 trade union organisation, 2 associations)

Three different areas of action (access of women to the political and union world, exercise of political and trade union functions, reconciliation between private and public life

148 direct beneficiaries (women)

THE PATH TOWARDS THE GUIDELINES

Producing new knowledge

Linking knowledge to practices

Negotiation as key theoretical perspective and as a principle for organising the practices for change

THE 6 EXPERIMENTAL MICRO-PROJECTS

“Women and childhood: two dimensions of social change” (Unione dei Democratici di Sinistra (DS) of the 8th Municipal Government of Rome-Women’s Coordination Committee).

“Women trade unionists: Being there, counting and being

valuable”, (FILTEA- Italian textile workers’ federation of the CGIL (Confederazione Generale Italiana del Lavoro) , Trade union organisation)

“Participation: feminine noun – Diversity is an added value” (Aspettare Stanca, Association)

“Political paths for women. Women supporting women”, (Margoweb Club of Rome, a civil society network linked to Margherita political party)

“Epos - Empowerment and proselytism in the trade union organisation” (Women’s Coordination Committee of CISL Lazio Region, Trade union organisation)

“Actions for women’s leadership and empowerment” (ALEF, Association)

SUPPORT TO THE EXPERIMENTAL MICRO-PROJECTS (or PILOT?)

The economic contribution of 25.000 euro for each micro-project

An articolated program of technical assistence

– The Central operation room – The Technical assistence pole

TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE ACTIVITIES

The “front-office” service in order to find a solution to problems in real time (on-line and by phone)

12 hours of thematic work groups with each team of the micro-project to reinforce some necessary capabilities for the implementation of planned activities

50 hours of specific advise for each micro-project

Monthly “Visit” for each experimentation

Tools and documents

The monitoring and assessment in progress

THE CREATION OF AN ENABLING ENVIRONMENT FOR THE EXPERIMENTATION

The network between the teams of 6 micro-projects

The program of networking and institutional relations

The publicity on the experimental activities and on their results on the website of the project RADEP(www.donnepolitica.org), in the brochure GAIA, in the newsletter “Gender and democracy”, and on the occasion of other initiatives of public communication

THE PATH TOWARDS THE GUIDELINES

The accompanying research

– The observation of the reality “in action”

The lessons learned from the project

The definition of the Guidelines

THE GUIDELINES FOR EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES IN THE POLITICAL AND UNION WORLD

Providing an instrument to put into practice the “lessons learned” during the project

Offering concrete indications about how to negotiate new spaces for gender in politics and trade unions

Singling out 18 practices for change containing 90 operational guidelines

THE STRUCTURE OF THE GUIDELINES

Chapter First

Chapter Second

Chapter Third

Chapter Fourth

Negotiation from the perspective

of the interpretation (3 practices)

Negotiation in the institutional

sphere (5 practices)

Negotiation at the symbolic level

(4 practices)

Negotiation at the operational

level (6 practices)

THE STRUCTURE OF THE PRACTICES

“The theme”

“What to do” (operational indications)

“For further information:”

NEGOTIATION FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF INTERPRETATION

Interpreting reality

Diffusing more effective representations of the condition of women in the context of politics and trade unions

Fighting against visions purposely simplified and reductive

Negotiation from the perspective of interpretation:

THE PRACTICES

Putting reconciliationbetween family and public life in the agenda

“Genderising” mentoring

“Genderising” informations and knowledge

1

2

3


1. 1. Analysing reconciliation needs

2. Establishing an observatory on the issue

3. Collecting good practices

4. Promoting study seminars and dialogue between women and men

5. Lobbying in the organisation through preparatory documents and seminars

6. Adapting meeting schedules to work-life balance needs

PUTTING RECONCILIATIONBETWEEN FAMILY AND PUBLIC LIFE IN THE AGENDA

The practices The operational guidelines


2. GENDERISING MENTORING

1. Creating an intermediation pole between mentors and mentees

2. Analysing the needs of mentees

3. Identifying and sensitising mentors

4. Matching mentors and mentees according to formalised criteria

5. Signing mentoring agreements

6. Planning and monitoring mentoring activities

7. Defining communication schedules compatible with mentors’ commitments

8. Promoting practical experience in political environments by mentees

9. Drafting manuals or guidelines

10. Establishing commitees for the promotion of and support to mentoring initiatives



3. GENDERISING

INFORMATIONS

AND KNOWLEDGE

1. Collecting and publishing statistic gendered

data on population and on the local context

2. Formulating gender budgets

3. Interviewing key informants on service needs in the local area

4. Publishing data on the composition of local government councils and boards

5. Producing a genderised representation of electoral processes

6. Making the systematic reality of widespread vertical segregation visible

7. Publishing and disseminating genderised information and knowledge and translating it into recommendations for political and government action

The Practices The operational guidelines

.

Operational guideline 1 COLLECTING AND PUBLISHING STATISTICAL

GENDERED DATA ON POPULATION AND ON THE LOCAL CONTEXT

Experimentation “Aspettare Stanca” (Waiting for…is tiring)

– Dossier for Bracciano municipality

NEGOTIATION CONCERNING THE INSTITUTIONAL LEVEL

The definition, modification and effective implementation of rules and procedures

The establishment of “discussion tables” and instituting specific bodies

Negotiation concerning the institutional level

THE PRACTICES

Promoting “tables” and other initiatives to genderise local welfare policies

Aiming to parity in local councils immediately

Translating antidiscriminatory rules in organisational practice

Building a local network of solidarity among women

Reinforcing women’s caucuses of political parties and trade unions

4

5

6

7

8


4. PROMOTING “TABLES”

AND OTHER INITIATIVES

TO GENDERISE LOCAL

WELFARE POLICIES

5. AIMING TO PARITY IN

LOCAL COUNCILS

IMMEDIATELY

1. Establishing a “Local table” for dialogue between citizens and institutions

2. Promoting a local plan of action on gender

3. Opening helpdesks to collect local needs

1. Sensitising and monitoring parties and electoral lists

2. Promoting the the adhesion of local administration to the European Equality Charter

3. Promoting women-only electoral lists



6. TRANSLATING

ANTIDISCRIMINATORY

RULES IN

ORGANISATIONAL

PRACTICE

.

1. Monitoring the application of antidiscriminatory rules

2. Carrying out awareness-raising initiatives for trade unionand political leaders on antidiscriminatory rules

3. Organising training seminars for party leaders and officials on women’s discrimination in politics

4. Negotiating and obtaining the approval of recommendations for the implementation of statute rules on gender

5. Changing procedures for identifying candidates to elected offices

6. Promoting discussions between women and men on male resistance to implementing antidiscriminatory rules

.



7. BUILDING LOCALLY

A NETWORK OF

SOLIDARITY

AMONG WOMEN

8. REINFORCING

WOMEN’S CAUCUSES

IN POLITICAL PARTIES

AND TRADE UNIONS

1. Creating a trasversal network among women at local level

2. Establishing permanent discussion fora for women leaders from different organisations

3. Promoting an exchange of experience and meetings between women committed in high level institutional politics and women’s grassroots networks

1. Organising focus groups on the needs of the women’s representative body and its members

2. Implementing concrete actions within the trade union/the party or in the community

3. Promoting public communication initiatives on the women’s caucus

4. Designing and producing internal commmunication tools



6. TRANSLATING

ANTIDISCRIMINATORY

RULES IN

ORGANISATIONAL

PRACTICE

.

1. Monitoring the application of antidiscriminatory rules

2. Carrying out awareness-raising initiatives for trade unionand political leaders on antidiscriminatory rules

3. Organising training seminars for party leaders and officials on women’s discrimination in politics

4. Negotiating and obtaining the approval of recommendations for the implementation of statute rules on gender

5. Changing procedures for identifying candidates to elected offices

6. Promoting discussions between women and men on male resistance to implementing antidiscriminatory rules

.


Operational guideline 1MONITORING THE APPLICATION OF ANTIDISCRIMINATORY RULES

Operational guideline 6PROMOTING DISCUSSIONS AMONG WOMEN AND MEN

ON MALE RESISTANCE TO IMPLEMENTING ANTIDISCRIMINATORY RULES

.Micro-projects FILTEA CGIL and CISL Lazio:

Monitoring the application of antidiscriminatory rules

Initiatives for dialogue between men and women


7. BUILDING LOCALLY

A NETWORK OF

SOLIDARITY

AMONG WOMEN

1. Creating a trasversal network among women at local level

2. Establishing permanent discussion fora for women leaders from different organisations

3. Promoting an exchange of experience and meetings between women committed in high level institutional politics and women’s grassroots networks


Operational guideline 1 CREATING A TRASVERSAL NETWORK AMONG

WOMEN AT LOCAL LEVEL

.

ALEF pilot project Network of 30 women leaders of civil society

organisations, trade unions and political parties

MargoWeb pilot project Network of civil society women and women

elected in institutional politics

NEGOTIATION AT THE SYMBOLIC LEVEL

Spreading through public communication

cognitive structures provided with a

mobilising force (symbols) which are able to

visualise and reinforce the value of an equal

representation of women in the public sphere

Negotiation at the symbolic level: THE PRACTICES

Telling and giving visibilityto pilot experiences

Socialising young generationsto gender equality

Promote the adoption of a genderised lexicon

Representing the engagement of women in the public sphere

9

10

11

12

NEGOTIATION AT THE SYMBOLIC LEVEL

9. TELLING AND GIVING VISIBILITY TO PILOT EXPERIENCES

1. Shooting and broadcasting video reports on projects

2. Drawing up dossiers

3. Producing and distributing multimedia materials

4. Holding seminars to present the projects

5. Drawing up directories of best practices

6. Creating web sites on the initiatives and the projects


NEGOTIATION AT SYMBOLIC LEVEL

10. SOCIALISING YOUNG

GENERATIONS TO

GENDER EQUALITY

11. PROMOTE THE

ADOPTION OF A

GENDERISED LEXICON

1. Rasing the awareness of young women on the history of women’s politics

2. Conducting political workshops and training programmes in schools

3. Promoting civic education initiatives with a gender focus

4. Promoting a gendered language in the local administration

5. Carrying out campaigns for the use of feminine terms for institutional offices



12. REPRESENTING

THE ENGAGEMENT

OF WOMEN

IN THE PUBLIC SPHERE

1. Making women’s active role in the community visible

2. Publicising female models of political engagement

3. Carrying out communication campaigns contrasting gender stereotypes



9. TELLING AND GIVING VISIBILITY TO PILOT EXPERIENCES

• Shooting and broadcasting video reports on projects

• Drawing up dossiers• Producing and distributing multimedia

materials

1. Holding seminars to present the projects

2. Drawing up directories of best practices

3. Creating web sites on the initiatives and the projects


Operational guideline 4HOLDING SEMINARS TO PRESENT THE PROJECTS

1. “DonnAttiva” Conference, October 6th 2007 (DS VIII Municipio)

2. Seminar on “New centralities: new opportunities for women in the 8th

municipality”, December 10th 2007(DS VIII Municipio)

3. Seminar on “Gendered presence for a more dynamic trade union”,

December6th, 2007 (Coordinamento donne CISL Lazio)

4. Final conference “Participation: feminine noun. Diversity is an added value”,

December 10th 2007 (Aspettare Stanca)

5. Final Cocktail “Paths in politics for women. Women supporting women”,

December 13th 2007 (MargoWeb)

6. Seminar on “Representation claims and chances to be there. For a

reconfiguration of the architecture of time schedules and participation in

CGIL”, December 14th 2007 (FILTEA CGIL)

7. Round table on “Actions for women’s leadership and empowerment”, March 3rd 2008 (ALEF)

Series of final initiatives “A Laboratory of women in politics”

NEGOTIATION CONCERNING THE OPERATIONAL LEVEL

Initiatives aimed at making substantial

the action of women to impress the material

and environmental reality of institutions and

organisations, in politics and union as well.

Negotiation concerning the operational level:

LE PRATICHE

Creation of family services complying with times of politics

Support to access routes into politics for women

Empowerment for the development of women’s leadership

Support to elected women

Support to women candidates

“Head huntings” to obtain an enlargementof the offer of female candidatures (women candidates)

13

14

15

16

17

18


13. TO CREATE

FAMILY SERVICES

COMPLYING WITH

TIMES OF POLITICS

14. SUPPORT TO ACCESS

ROUTES INTO POLITICS

FOR WOMEN

1. Opening after-school services for children in cooperation with local autorities

2. Providing baby sitting services during meetings

3. Defining and applying new quality standards for care services

1. Putting in practice targeted access routes into political and trade union careers for young women

2. Using the internship instrument to favour return after temporary interruptions

3. Favouring contact with politics and trade union life through meetings with testimonials (men and women)



15. EMPOWERMENT FOR

THE DEVELOPMENT

OF WOMEN LEADERSHIP

1. Organising courses and seminars on women’s leadership

2. Organising assertivity training seminars

3. Holding public speaking and effective communication courses

4. Organising seminars on the political system

5. Involving women in drafting manuals supporting empowerment activities

6. Drafting self-help manuals for women who want to engage in politics

7. Conducting research and reflection activities on the languaged used by women in politics and in trade unions



The practices

16. SUPPORT TO

ELECTED WOMEN

The operational guidelines

1. Organising empowerment meetings with elected women

2. Promoting training actions on leadership, administration and public communication

3. Organising study trips for women councillors

4. Carrying out communication campaigns in support to elected women and their programmes

5. Watching on the actual allocation of resources to women in institutional offices

6. Activating mentoring programmes

7. Establishing networks of elected women


The practices

17. SUPPORT TO WOMEN

CANDIDATES


1. Lobbying and advocacy to achieve greater support to women candidates by political parties and coalitions

2. Providing consultancy services to women candidates on the gender approach and its communication in an electoral campaign

3. Implementing communication campaigns in support of women candidates

4. Organising public meetings to present women candidates

5. Making full use of the internet to balance poor media coverage of women’s candidatures

6. Distributing candidate’s tool kits

7. Creating observatories and performing monitoring of press and mass media

8. Establishing funds to finance women’s electoral campaigns


The practices

18. “HEAD HUNTINGS” TO

OBTAIN AN

ENLARGEMENT OF THE

OFFER OF WOMEN

CANDIDATES


1. Testing new procedures and channels for recruiting women candidates

2. Encouraging parties to broaden their female membership

3. Encouraging women’s candidature

4. Negotiating with party gatekeepers the introduction of new recruitment procedures and channels


The practices

13. OPENING FAMILY

SERVICES COMPLYING

WITH THE TIMES

OF POLITICS

18. “HEAD HUNTINGS” TO

OBTAIN AN

ENLARGEMENT OF THE

OFFER OF WOMEN

CANDIDATES


1. Opening after-school services for children in cooperation with local autorities

2. Providing baby sitting services during meetings

3. Defining and applying new quality standards for care services

1. Testing new procedures and channels for recruiting women candidates

2. Encouraging parties to broaden their female membership

3. Encouraging women’s candidature

4. Negotiating with party gatekeepers the introduction of new recruitment procedures and channels

Practice 13 - Operational guideline 1 OPENING AFTER-SCHOOL SERVICES FOR CHILDREN

IN COOPERATION WITH LOCAL AUTORITIES

Pilot project Coordinamento donne DS

VIII Municipio

After-school ludoteque service

Practice 18 - Operational guideline 1TESTING NEW PROCEDURES AND CHANNELS TO

RECRUIT WOMEN CANDIDATES

Pilot project Circolo MargoWeb

Networking and relations– Instruments of communication

Selection of 20 women of the civil society as potential candidates

CONCLUDING REMARKS

The possibility of a change in the “field of politics”

The general value of the gender issues

The guidelines for equal opportunities in the political and trade union world

Guidelines for equal opportunities in the political and trade union world 18 PRACTICES

Interpretative negotiation

1. Mandare allÕordine del giorno laconciliazione tra vita familiare epubblica

2. Genderizzare il mentoring3. Genderizzare informazioni e

conoscenza

Institutional negotiation

4. Promuovere ŅtavoliÓ e altre iniziativeper genderizzare le politiche di welfarelocali

5. Puntare subito alla paritaÕ nelleamministrazioni locali

6. Tradurre le norme antidiscriminatoriein prassi organizzative

7. Costruire sul territorio reti disolidarietaÕ tra donne

8. Rafforzare i coordinamenti femminilidi partiti e sindacati

Symbolic negotiation

9. Raccontare e dare visibilitaÕ a esperienze pilota10. Socializzare le giovani generazioni allÕeguaglianza di genere11. Promuovere lÕadozione di un lessico genderizzato12. Rappresentare lÕimpegno delle donne nella dimensione pubblica

Operational negotiation

13. Attuare servizi alla famiglia assecondando i tempi della politica14. Sostegno ai percorsi di accesso alla politica15. Empowerment per lo sviluppo della leadership femminile16. Supporto alle elette17. Supporto alle candidature femminili18. ŅCaccia alle testeÓ per un ampliamento dellÕofferta di candidature femminili

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