공직선거 후보자 여성할당제와 정당의 역할- 국회의원 선거 및 지방의회 선거 중심으로 -

Abstract

The Gender Quota System has been considered as a crucial policy to enhance the gender equality of political representative all over the world. It has increased the number of the female representatives effectively in most of the countries. The ratio of female representative of the Republic of Korea was only 2% from the first National Assembly to the 14th National Assembly. However, it increased to 11% after the gender quota system at first. Now it became about 20%, which is very low compared with the other nations. The goal of the gender quota system has not been accomplished yet. We need to consider the methods to enhance the gender equality of representative by the quota system. As we can see in the recent explicit rejection of the quota system, it is also necessary to rethink the problem of persuasion and sympathy for the ultimate goal of the quota system and the universal and integrated value that have to be obtained in the process of realizing it. An agreement must be found so that the quota system can become a more effective system as a measure to correct distortions of democratic representatives based on equality. The electoral system needs to be reformed to make the gender quota system perform its ultimate role. However, it is not enough to improve the electoral system itself, but it should start from the expanding the usual opportunities to participate in politics. It is up to the political party, and it can be considered that the role of the party is the most important among the various structures. If we look at the case of advanced countries, where women representatives are enough in politics, we can refer to the fact that political parties themselves have adopted and implemented gender equality policies rather than quotas enforced or regulated by the law, and the results are much greater. It can be said that it is an important basis for strengthening the representation of women for political parties to prepare conditions for women’s political participation to become routine, to have a more democratic communication structure and organizational system, and to have a system that induces more citizen participation. Policy proposals that allow political parties to promote gender-equal intra-party structures and policies in stages can also be considered. In order for a political party to have such a foundation, it is necessary to remove excessive restrictions on basic political rights found in the current political laws.