What do you Think of this Jordanian Woman?

Question

Quote from an article linked below: "In Jordan, Falak Jamaani won her seat in parliament without relying on the quota system that reserves six seats for women. Activists say her victory is an important milestone of women's gradual inroads to political representation."

Are you as surprised as I am that they have a quota that reserves seats in the parliament for women? The article says the quota was a gift from the king. How cool is that? He must be a pretty progressive guy.

http://www.womensenews.org/article.cfm/dyn/aid/3402

Thanks, Twilight. I 'went gold' a few days ago.

Berawolf: I know it's only 6 seats out of 110 but it's a start. Changes in century long traditions take time and in my opinion the king deserves recognition for making an effort.

Ashleigh: The way I see it is that baby steps will get you where you want to go. You can't change things over night, make them equal. People wouldn't accept it. The women's movement started from nothing in my life time and with baby steps they've achieved a lot.

Answer 1

whoa! this is good news, Jordan has got it's act together. This is nice to hear. Women in my country are getting rights too now as well in politics..finally...been four years but no woman has yet won, but one of them came close, elections next year again! lets see what happens.

Answer 2

Was it a 'gift' or a way to appease the rest of the world? Proportional voting cannot be contaminated with a gender bias without it detracting from the actual achievement of the women concerned. It is not unlike the notion that they are 'token' parliamentarians, and as such, just there for show. Surly you should be asking: "Why only so few"? rather than lauding the praises of a system which still subjugates women and marginalizes them? If the King was truly progressive then would He not have allowed all women the right to run for public office?
Just a thought. I have just finished working on the Australian Federal Election, and am still in "hustings" mode.
Cheer.

Answer 3

"During the last election in 2003... King Abdullah II announced a quota system saving six seats for women in the parliament's 110-seat lower house...".

Ummmmmm... let's not blow the generosity of patriarchy out of proportion here... it could be interpreted as 'tokenism'. At this rate Jordanian women can expect to achieve equality in the year 4582:

"Tokenism"
n
'The policy of making only a perfunctory effort or symbolic gesture toward the accomplishment of a goal, such as racial integration.

The practice of hiring or appointing a token number of people from underrepresented groups in order to deflect criticism or comply with affirmative action rules: “Tokenism does not change stereotypes of social systems but works to preserve them, since it dulls the revolutionary impulse” '

Answer 4

A lot better than that blonde Queen Noor whose real name is Lisa Hallaby.
The only reason why British men are so smitten by her is because she fits the mold of what they women to look like which is tall, thin, with an athetic build, full breasts, small waist and small hips that are about 8-9 inches larger than the waist, blue eyed, blonde.

Answer 5

I have to say that I'm not too pleased with a quota system. Jordanians should learn to elect on the basis of merit, not sex. But, hey, it's a start.

Answer 6

He is an excellent guy, and it's good to see. When did you go orange? I missed the meeting. Congrats.

Answer 7

It's affirmitive action. It's great that she earned the position soley on her merit.

Answer 8

cool