Evaluation of gender equality by women who are leaders of local governments

English. The article provides an insight into evaluation of gender equality problematic issues regarded by women who are leaders of local governments. According to the valid legislation of the Republic of Latvia, no limitations have been established for women to realize themselves and use one’s rights regarding participation in the political, economic, social, cultural or any other area arising out of her family standing. However, reality shows that nor in decision-making bodies, nor executive bodies women are represented in equal proportion if compared to men2, although Latvia is a country with the most outstanding women proportion – 54% and the biggest difference between female and male lifespan (-10 years). There is a common tendency that women are better represented in lower political levels in local governments. For instance, only 41% from elected candidates in local governments are women. But 36% of heads of the local governments are women. Among the Saeima's 100 members only 19 are women, while in the area of state administration two thirds of senior specialists and general specialists are women, too. In Latvia several levels exists where a woman is able to participate in political activities, like political parties, standing for a deputy in a small village or big city or town, to become a chairwoman of a rural municipality or city council, be elected in the Saeima, receive the post of a minister, become the president of our state etc. Results of the Author's study show that women who are leaders of local governments acknowledge themselves as leaders and they are indeed. Nonetheless, majority of them have encountered with gender discrimination. These leaders have positive attitude towards women organizations, where half of the respondents suggest other women to join politics, since this work in local governments gives pleasure regardless of the facts that participation in politics affects their family lives and stereotypes existing in the society against a woman in politics. Hypothesis advanced in the study – Although in Latvia, according to opinions held by women who are leaders in local governments, certain disturbing factors do exist (stereotypes, gender discrimination, role conflicts), nonetheless women are ready to participate and already now hold high ranking positions in the local governments and other state administration establishments – proves to be positive.

Latvian. Pagaidām nevienā, pat visattīstītākajā valstī sievietēm nav radītas tādas pašas iespējas kā vīriešiem. Lai gan Latvija ir valsts, kurā ir vislielākais sieviešu īpatsvars (54%) un vislielākā starpība starp sieviešu un vīriešu mūža ilgumu (vīriešiem par 10 gadiem mazāks), dzimumsadalījums vadošos amatos un politikā nav viennozīmīgs [1]. Latvijā pastāv dažādi līmeņi, kur sievietei iespējams iesaistīties politiskajās aktivitātēs – politiskās partijas, balotēšanās par deputātu mazā pagastā vai lielā pilsētā, kļūt par pagasta vai pilsētu padomes (domes) priekšsēdētāju, tikt ievēlētai Saeimā, ieņemt ministres amatu, kļūt par Valsts prezidenti utt. Autores pētījuma objekts ir sievietes –pašvaldību vadītājas. Pastāv tendence, ka sievietes ir vairāk pārstāvētas tieši politikas zemākajos līmeņos – vietējās pašvaldībās. Autores pētījuma mērķis ir, izmantojot kvalitatīvi kvantitatīvu pētījumu, pierādīt hipotēzi: 'Lai gan Latvijā pēc pašu sieviešu līderu uzskatiem dzimumlīdztiesības jomā attiecībā uz pašvaldību vadītājām pastāv zināmi kavējoši faktori (stereotipi, aizspriedumi, dzimumdiskriminācija, lomu konflikti), sievietes ir gatavas darboties un šobrīd jau ieņem atbildīgus amatus pašvaldībās un citās publiskās pārvaldes institūcijās'. Pētījuma galvenās metodes ir anketēšana un intervijas.