Publication

This paper looks at the issue of democratization from a gender perspective. The author argues that while many of the problems afflicting new democracies, such as the elitist character of political parties and the failure of the state to guarantee civil and political rights or make a significant dent in poverty, affect all citizens, they are manifested and experienced in gender-specific ways. The paper further on suggests how to reform democratic institutions in order to overcome women's persistent exclusion from formal politics in countries going through processes of democratization.