Women's political participation: from obstacles to opportunities (Qualitative study of barriers and opportunities for women's political participation in women's political participation in Khorramabad city)
Subject Areas : Social issues and injuries related to women and the family
1 - Assistant Professor, Department of Social Sciences, Hazrat Ayatollah Boroujerdi University, Boroujerd, Iran.
Keywords: Women’s Participation, Political Dimensions, Participation Opportunities, Participation Threats, Grounded Theory. ,
Abstract :
Political participation among women is a significant and dynamic concept. It fosters feelings of satisfaction, trust, and self-confidence among women in any society. This study aims to understand and analyze the barriers and opportunities for women’s political participation in Khorramabad city. The research employed a qualitative, grounded theory approach. To this end, in-depth and semi-structured interviews were conducted with 26 women from Khorramabad and university professors, selected through purposive sampling combined with snowball and maximum variation strategies. Data analysis yielded 95 initial codes, eight core categories, and one central category extracted through a systematic coding process: causal conditions (patriarchal atmosphere and male exclusivity, economic challenges: lack of economic empowerment, political apathy: perceiving politics as insignificant), contextual conditions (strengthening social capital: solidarity and political development, self-confidence: personal development and social status), intervening conditions (self-deprecation and personal weakness, lack of willpower, low self-esteem, challenges related to morale and determination), strategies (positive and negative, creating gender-equal opportunities for political participation, financial and social support, fostering a vibrant political atmosphere), attitudinal dimensions (ranging from willingness to participate and satisfaction to isolation and political apathy), and consequences (enhancing solidarity, social and political cohesion, strengthening social capital, promoting socio-political vibrancy, active public political participation, building trust and self-confidence in women, maximizing the use of skilled human resources, socio-political development, increasing socio-cultural security, and boosting social trust). Additionally, "women’s political participation: opportunities and challenges" emerged as the central category, and a paradigmatic model was developed from the data. The findings indicate that women’s political participation or lack thereof varies depending on diverse social, structural, and individual conditions.
Keywords: Women’s Participation, Political Dimensions, Participation Opportunities, Participation Threats, Grounded Theory.
Extended Abstract
Introduction
The importance of women’s political participation holds global significance and transcends specific geographical boundaries. It is a critical factor in the political development process of any society (see Akhondi et al., 2023; Vaezi & Hosseini, 2023; Raeisi et al., 2023; Siamian Gorji et al., 2021; Hussein & Jalal, 2024; Dauletova et al., 2022; Nayeem & Bhat, 2022; Kaston, 2022). In Iran, women’s political participation has consistently been influenced by the circumstances and contexts in which they find themselves. Amid significant political, social, and economic transformations across various spheres of life, women’s participation in all domains appears essential (Siamian Gorji et al., 2021, p. 20). In today’s world, one of the key indicators of a society’s level of development is the extent and nature of women’s participation in economic, social, and political life. Women constitute half of the human resources available in societies (Ghaderzadeh & Rezazadeh, 2019, p. 64). The United Nations Development Programme’s (2020) report on member states’ efforts to achieve gender empowerment and women’s political inclusion reveals that women’s presence in political arenas and power structures remains lower than men’s, potentially due to the patriarchal nature of political systems in Middle Eastern countries and customary or religious restrictions that hinder their prominent engagement across various fields (Mirsharkaran et al., 2021, p. 341; Palmer & Simon, 2005). A review of previous studies indicates that research on women’s political participation, particularly regarding opportunities and barriers, remains relatively limited and requires further scientific exploration. Accordingly, this section examines the most relevant prior research. Usman et al. (2024) conducted a study titled “The Role of Education and Skills in Increasing Women’s Participation in Population Policy,” employing a qualitative approach through literature review, policy analysis, and multiple interviews. Their findings highlight that education significantly enhances women’s access to information and knowledge necessary for decision-making in population policies. Hussein and Jalal (2024) investigated pathways to gender-based political empowerment and envisioned women’s political participation in Iraq. Their results suggest that the collapse of the Baath regime created a promising opportunity for women’s political involvement in Iraq.
Methods
This study utilized a grounded theory method Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, a method particularly compatible with grounded theory method. Initially, informal conversational interviews were conducted with participants’ consent to identify concepts and categories. The interviewees comprised women from Khorramabad and university experts. Once initial concepts and categories emerged, a general interview guide was used to pursue these elements further, aligning with theoretical sampling and the inherent nature of grounded theory. After the interviews’ general framework was shaped by concepts and categories, a set of open-ended questions was designed, continuing until theoretical saturation was achieved. These questions addressed the state of women’s political participation, facilitating factors, barriers, and proposed solutions. In this study, theoretical saturation was reached after 23 interviews, though interviews continued to 26 to ensure saturation. The primary data analysis structure in grounded theory relies on three coding stages: open coding, axial coding, and selective coding. Following these stages, the central issue was integrated into core categories, termed the main category. This main category, derived from all research categories, can be summarized in a few words while encompassing all identified concepts and categories.
Conclusion
Political participation, particularly among women, is a multifaceted issue of significance for every society, with various communities employing diverse strategies to encourage socio-political engagement (Ghaderzadeh & Rezazadeh, 2019, p. 64). Among the key causal conditions identified in the paradigmatic model are a patriarchal atmosphere and male exclusivity, economic challenges (ranging from lack of economic empowerment to insufficient financial support for women), and political apathy (perceiving politics as unimportant), reflecting the multidimensional nature of barriers to political participation. On one hand, social and cultural conditions indirectly create obstacles to women’s active participation in socio-political arenas; on the other, the absence of financial and economic support and their inability to compete economically with men reinforce feelings of exclusion, driving women toward political apathy and disinterest. These findings align with those of Akhondi et al. (2023), Hussein and Jalal (2024), Kaston (2022), Mirsharkaran et al. (2021), and Montazeri et al. (2021). Following the analysis of causal conditions, contextual conditions and foundations for fostering political participation were interpreted. The paradigmatic model highlights critical contextual factors such as strengthening social capital (solidarity and political development) and self-confidence (personal development and social status). These findings are consistent with studies by Kaston (2022), Siamian Gorji et al. (2021), and Mirsharkaran et al. (2021). Intervening conditions, referred to as aggravating or facilitating factors, also influence women’s political participation. One significant factor pertains to morale, willpower, and individual personality traits, such as self-deprecation, lack of self-belief, and perceiving men as superior in political matters. These factors reduce women’s political participation, fostering apathy and reluctance to play an effective role in the socio-political sphere. This aligns with findings from Akhondi et al. (2023), Siamian Gorji et al. (2021), and Mirsharkaran et al. (2021). Regarding strategies proposed by interviewees, both positive and negative approaches were identified. Structural and macro-level strategies include creating gender-equal opportunities for political participation, providing financial and social support, recognizing women’s political management capabilities, and fostering a vibrant political atmosphere, which guide society toward greater cohesion. Conversely, individual-level strategies indicate that some women adopt isolation and political indifference. The data suggest that implementing positive, structural strategies not only enhances political participation but also pulls women out of isolation and apathy, encouraging positive societal contributions. These results are consistent with Akhondi et al. (2023), Usman et al. (2024), Hussein and Jalal (2024), and Siamian Gorji et al. (2021). Ultimately, numerous positive outcomes arise from expanding women’s political participation. The cornerstone of comprehensive development lies in the participation of all societal segments, with women representing a significant portion of this capacity. Enhanced socio-cultural security and increased socio-political trust are just a fraction of the positive consequences of engaging women in political and social spheres.
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