A Comparative Analysis of Women’s Political Representation in Western and Eastern Europe

Abstract

This article explores how various factors, such as history, social and cultural norms, and economic factors playing role in women’s political representation by comparing Western and Eastern regions. The landscape of women’s political representation is divergent across Western and Eastern Europe and is a significant indicator of democracy and gender equality. Women, in both regions, have experienced different and complex trajectories regarding access to political participation. The comparative analysis highlights the essential regional changes shaped by historical legacies, economic indicators, and the legal framework of institutions. The women's representation is quite high in the Western region in their national parliaments and institutions. Whereas the routes of women’s political representation are more complex in Eastern Europe due to their historical legacies. After the collapse of the communist regime, several countries witnessed a decline in women's participation in parliamentary politics because of their democratic and economic changes.