(Language: English) 

Women's political representation, or women in political decision-making positions, is a topic that is increasingly gaining worldwide attention and emphasis. This talk will present the main arguments surrounding women's political representation, including a historical analysis of women's demands throughout history and today. This talk will ask why it is important to have female politicians, what are the reasons for women's global under-representation, and what are women's demands and how are they strategizing to increase their access to political leadership positions?

After a general discussion of the main debates concerning female politicians, I will present women's endeavors to access positions of authority in post-revolutionary Iran as a case study. This analysis will shed light onto cultural and religious hindrances that women face, their strategies for increasing women's political representation, as well as responses of male politicians in contemporary times.