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Development may be understood as that process by which societies change so as to become capable of meeting the essential needs of their populations. It thus represents a qualitative social change, from economic, political, social and cultural points of view. Defined in this way, the development of a country assumes the participation of the whole population, at every level and without distinction of sex. It is therefore impossible to conceive of sustainable development without the participation of women. How then can women contribute to development through becoming involved in politics, understood as concerted reflection with a view to identifying ways and means to improve the conditions of human life? Although in the past women were catagorised and treated as inferiors (as is witnessed by the fact that they were reduced to the position of drudge, to the traditional role of procreation and the provider of household labour, without any real right to education, and with no access to decision-making spheres) it is incontrovertibly true that with social change and increased democracy, a significant improvement has come about in the status of women. One sees today, then, that the political will of some governments, together with women's own political determination, has enabled this important section of the population (around half the population of the world) to gain access to economic and decision-making power and so to enjoy increased social status. Despite these advances, however, much remains to be done. Consequently, Socialist International Women, persuaded that no sustainable development can be achieved without women's contribution at every level, recommends to governments:
Socialist International Women also calls on women:
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Executive
Committee Statutes
Brief History Quota
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