(RE)PRESENTING WOMEN POLITICIANS IN SOUTHEAST ASIA : AN ALTERNATIVE VOICE

Abstract

This paper sets out to examine the multidimensionality of democracy and gender in Southeast Asia. Although this region has seen the rise of several women national leaders, the impressive feat at the political top has not enhanced the representation and participation of women in politics. Furthermore, increasing the number of women politicians alone is unlikely to empower women. As such, it is critical to examine women who are already in politics - their resources, strategies and beliefs - to understand their impact on women empowerment and democratization. The approach of this paper compares how scholars have analyzed this issue in Southeast Asia with the hope of presenting the different faces of women politicians. This paper begins with an examination of the Western-centric portrayal of women politicians in Southeast Asia to explain how class and gender have influenced women's political representation and participation. Following an analysis of this perspective's deficiency in recognizing the fluidity of the public private divide and the fragility of gender images in Southeast Asia, this paper will highlight women politicians' varied beliefs in discussing their contribution to women empowerment. The impact of women politicians on democratization will then be evaluated and contrasted to the Western context - reflecting the multifaceted nature of politics in this region as women politicians need to challenge andro-centric and Western-centric interpretations of women.