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Topic Discussion III
Participation in
Democratic Decision-Making:
The Vital Voices of Women, Civil Society and
Pluralism
Room 2
(16 of 21 pages)
On the issue of the quarter system. Many of the political women in my country
feel that it is one way to go. While the other starts that it may not be necessary because the [inaudible] of women
in various sectors, various regions is not there. The willingness to participate and that is because some of them
still do not fully understand impact that they can make if they ascend to the positions of decision making levels.
In addition, what we have also found is that like my colleagues, who spoke about women not supporting women, we
have also that problem in our country. So it is something, our problems and our issues are not dissimilar to those
that have been mentioned. I said I was going to be brief and I will stop here.
Marina Ottaway: Thank you very much. You have been waiting for a long time, yes.
Mohammed Dammoudi: Make some general comments on the broad topic of the participation. First of all I think
that public should be allowed to attend meetings in local, regional and national assemblies to make the democracy
[inaudible] in countries.
Second I think the interactive relations should be institutionalized between the public and the leadership in these
assemblies. The ombudsman should have offices throughout the country. I would say also a chart of cities and rights
and obligation to be assured after discretion between political parties [inaudible] and government.
The education at school, about democracy liberties, cities and rights and obligation, its also another topic, another
issue.
The media in collaboration with the civil society should promote any information about those matters to improve
the people awareness about democracy and the participation.
Concerning the women participation, first of all, all the political party and the ONG (ph) should be forced to
have women on their boards and also promote the candidates. The women should be also organized on associations
themselves to different rights. They should receive training by specialized ONG (ph) with the financial assistance
from the government and international organizations.
However, education of girls in schools is the first step and I think the basis. And the international organization
should make it a compulsory condition in the programs, the finance. Managing participation in multi-ethnic and
multi-religious society I think is the most difficult task. Of course [inaudible] and comprehensive descriptions
between all groups are essential for understanding. It should be organized under a neutral monitoring with neutral
participation of NGO (ph) for example as moderator.
In concluding, I will say that financing is really critical in promoting all these ideas and proposals about the
participation scheme in the emerging democracy. Thank you very much.
Marina Ottaway: Thank you very much for a really concise and very practically oriented intervention. You
have been waiting for a long time. My guideline says I should not recognize people from the same country. Immediately
you see that you are [inaudible]
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