INTRODUCTION TO POLITICAL PARTIES Women and Political Parties

INTRODUCTION TO POLITICAL PARTIES Women and Political Parties The National Democratic Institute

INTRODUCTIONS/ GROUND RULES Introductions Ground rules Ice breaker exercise

INTRODUCTION TO POLITICAL PARTIES OBJECTIVES To understand the roles, functions and organization of parties To consider the importance of internal democracy to increase representation of women Photo: Amy Hamelin, NDI

INTRODUCTION TO POLITICAL PARTIES TOPICS Roles of political parties Party elements and functions Internal party democracy Women’s participation

KEY TERMS Political party Democracy Ruling party Opposition Transparency Other terms? Photo: NDI

EXERCISE: ROLES OF POLITICAL PARTIES What are the basic roles of parties in a democracy? Photo: Amy Hamelin, NDI

ROLE OF POLITICAL PARTIES Competing in elections to gain influence Aggregating and representing social interests Providing a structure for political participation Providing policy alternatives Training political leaders

PARTIES AND CITIZENS Meaningful choices in governance Avenues for political participation Citizens Exert pressure on the political system Put local concerns in a national context Political Parties

CIVIL SOCIETY AND PARTIES CSOs: all groups outside government Can play an active role in politics Focus on fewer issues Do not seek political office Can work with a range of parties Photo: NDI

PARTIES AND ELECTIONS Communicate competing policies Provide candidates Engage in debate Foster citizen participation Get out the vote Set electoral rules Promote electoral integrity Abide by results

PARTIES IN PARLIAMENT AND LOCAL BODIES Implement legislative agenda Address citizens’ concerns Party discipline Committee work Coalitions Photo: NDI

PARTIES IN GOVERNMENT Run affairs of country Develop and implement policy Oversee government agencies Account for funds Deliver on campaign promises

PARTIES IN OPPOSITION Contribute to accountability Monitor government actions Propose policy alternatives Seek compromise and solutions Photo: NDI

NEED FOR PARTIES Political parties are not perfect but Scattering of individuals wouldn’t function Groups would take on party characteristics No other institution represents citizens’ interests as well

DIVERSITY AMONG PARTIES Size Funding Penetration within the country Ethnic makeup Ideology Governing vs. opposition

NATIONAL PARTIES Party Seats in National Assembly 264 African National Congress Democratic Alliance 67 Congress of the People 30 Inkatha Freedom Party 18 Map: Wikipedia

PARTY ELEMENTS AND FUNCTIONS Constitution Internal structure and communications – Branches – Subgroups Leadership selection Platform/policy development Membership Funding

CONSTITUTION Party Constitution Defines philosophy, values, principles purpose Defines internal organization and structure Outlines internal decision-making process Roles and Leadership positions Membership eligibility relationship among and selection process different units

EXERCISE: EXPLORING CONSTITUTIONS Political philosophy/values Internal organization/structure Decision-making process Membership Leadership positions and selection

PARTY STRUCTURE

PARTY BRANCHES Party’s position on issues Branch Leaders and Members Have defined roles and responsibilities Advice on how to discuss difficult/controversial issues Understand the party’s mission, goals and strategies Report information to leadership Info about political events/developmen ts Engage leaders in exchange of ideas and decisionmaking

PARTY SUBGROUPS

LEADERSHIP SELECTION Indirect or direct elections Party conventions Term limits Representation of women, youth, etc. Photo: NDI

POLICY DEVELOPMENT Policy developed/informed by: Party research staff Ad hoc group of experts and party members Consultations and/or public forums

MEMBERSHIP Member rights Elect the party leadership Participate in candidate selection Access party-only forums Receive special information Photo: NDI

MEMBERSHIP Member responsibilities Contribute to and know policies and platform Understand constitution and organization Ensure party reflects their interests Hold leaders accountable

PARTY FUNDING Private – Membership fees – Donations from members, organizations and businesses – Revenue generating projects/events Public – Direct – Indirect Photo: www.pixabay.com

EXERCISE: ORGANIZATIONAL SUCCESS FACTORS Characteristics of an effective party Why are they important? What are the consequences if they are lacking? Photo: Amy Hamelin, NDI

ORGANIZATIONAL SUCCESS FACTORS Transparent decision-making procedures Understood roles and responsibilities Clear and frequent communication

INTERNAL PARTY DEMOCRACY Abiding by rules of procedure Holding leaders accountable Seeking views of members Encouraging participation of all Representing all of society

EXERCISE: PARTY TRIANGLE

WHY WOMEN? Higher standards of living Concerns of marginalized voters represented Collaborative leadership styles Work across party lines Peace building Better decisions

WHY DO PARTIES NEED WOMEN? To gain party supporters and mobilize resources To help develop a platform that includes interests of all voters To win elections! Photo: Amy Hamelin, NDI

WOMEN’S PARTICIPATION Part Women Leaders y % of Member s MQM Rabta Committee 1. Dr. Nasreen Jalil 2. Ms. Mumtaz Anwar 18% PML Central Cabinet 1. Dr. Hamida Khorho, Senior Vice-President 2. Mrs. Yaqut Jamil-ur-Rehman, Vice-President 3. Begum Mehnaz Rafi, Vice-President 4. Ms. Nilofer Bakhtiar, President, Women’s Wing 14% PML-N Central Cabinet 1. Begum Tehmina Daultana, Vice-President 2. Begum Ishrat Ashraf 3. Ms. Najma Hameed 4% PPP Central Executive Committee 1. Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto, Chairperson 5%

WOMEN’S WING STRUCTURE National, regional, local branches Linkage to “mother party” Representation on decision-making bodies Funding and resources Risk: can marginalize women

EXERCISE: WHAT CAN A WOMEN’S WING DO? Photo: NDI

WOMEN’S WINGS Build awareness of gender frameworks Draft gender equality policies and lobby for and monitor their implementation Network with women from other parties Identify and engage male allies Train women Encourage and fund women candidates Lobby leaders on women’s issues

WOMEN’S PARTIES Formed in many countries Success has been limited Prompted discussions on women's rights and political participation Photo: Katie Croake, NDI

INTRODUCTION TO PARTIES REVIEW Effective parties are cornerstone of democracy and represent social interests and provide policy choices vary but have common structures are transparent, democratic and communicative promote the participation of women