(Angus Reid Global Monitor) – People in France think the absence of female representation in politics is not due to lack of interest on their part, according to a poll by CSA published in Le Parisien. 51 per cent of respondents believe that the challenges of balancing public service and family life could explain why few women are in office, while 47 per cent blame misogyny from men who participate in politics.
(Angus Reid Global Monitor) – People in France think the absence of female representation in politics is not due to lack of interest on their part, according to a poll by CSA published in Le Parisien. 51 per cent of respondents believe that the challenges of balancing public service and family life could explain why few women are in office, while 47 per cent blame misogyny from men who participate in politics.
In addition, 30 per cent of respondents think there are few women in politics because the environment is too tough for them, while only 16 per cent think it is simply because women are not interested in pursuing political careers.
More women than men think the difficulty of balancing public and private life is the reason for the lack of female representation in politics, while more men than women believe misogyny is a factor.
In May 2007, Nicolas Sarkozy, a centre-right Union for a Popular Movement (UMP) candidate and former interior minister, won the presidential run-off with 53.06 per cent of the vote against Ségolène Royal of the Socialist Party (PS).
Sarkozy appointed François Fillon as his prime minister. Fillon had been his adviser in the UMP for over two years, and was also Sarkozy’s presidential campaign leader. France’s 15-member cabinet features seven women.
On Mar. 16, municipal elections were held throughout France. During the campaign, Aminata Konaté, a UMP candidate of Malian origin, said people in France are growing more open to seeing women and minorities in power, declaring, "France is evolving. (…) The mentality of French people and public institutions is changing." However, Konaté acknowledged that "one must continue to change mindsets in France, as there are many who would never vote for a black woman like myself. But one thing is certain—France is no more a ‘white’ territory and French children of immigrant parents have different expectations and dreams than their predecessors."
Polling Data
In your view, which of these factors are to blame for the lack of female representation in politics? (Several answers allowed)
|
All |
Men |
Women |
|
|
The difficulty of balancing public service and family life |
51% |
49% |
53% |
|
Misoginy from men who participate in politics |
47% |
52% |
42% |
|
The toughness of political life |
30% |
30% |
29% |
|
Women simply not being interested in politics |
16% |
16% |
16% |
Source: CSA / Le Parisien
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 1,011 French adults, conducted on Mar. 4 and Mar. 5, 2008. No margin of error was provided.
