Declaration · 19 October 2024

Women in Hungarian Public Life – When Will We Catch Up with Europe?

Based on what was said at the 19 October 2024 conference held jointly by the Hungarian European Women’s Forum Association, the Hungarian Women’s Lobby, and the Well-Being Foundation, we could conclude that women in Hungary are excluded from actual decision-making. There are not enough women in the political, corporate, or public leadership spheres. Based on this, it can be reasonably said that the rights and interests of women are seriously violated in Hungary. The cause of women should be everyone’s cause, as over half of the population are women.

The current Hungarian EU Presidency defines women exclusively in the context of the family, so women who do not fall into this category are on the margins of society. This undemocratic attitude and legal practice contradict the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union. A woman cannot be defined only as a mother and a wife; it is exclusionary and discriminatory, and it is against the interests of society. It is in the overall social interest for there to be real, equitable equality between men and women. Just like men, women have the fundamental right to have their interests and rights properly represented.

Despite the need to increase the role and influence of women, we see no willingness or effort to change the official position of women. “A woman gives birth to a son, but a man makes the law.”

The number of female Members of the Hungarian Parliament is extremely low - currently only 26 - which reflects the opportunities for Hungarian women to assert their interests. The ratio is also extremely low for the countries of the world and within the European Union: in 2023, Hungary was ranked 151st out of 195 countries (based on UN and IPU data). In 2010, our country was ranked 99th. According to last year’s data, when Hungary had a women’s ministry, our country ranked 162nd in the world, and we ranked last in the European Union. Because Hungary does not have any female ministers in 2024, we have dropped 20 places on this list to be among countries such as Azerbaijan, Papua New Guinea, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, and Yemen.

Beyond being statistical curiosities, these data are also symptoms of a systematic social problem that points to the under-representation of women and the resulting structural inequalities.

The glass ceiling effect can also be observed in public life. While the vast majority of activists and volunteers are women, and relatively many women hold administrative positions at the municipal level, there are hardly any women among the candidates in local or national elections. The number of women among MEPs and decision-makers is almost negligible. The more decision-making power, benefit and prestige associated with a public position, the more dramatic the decrease in the number of women in those positions. It is not sustainable that over half of Hungarian society is not represented in a proportional manner. Since the change of regime, the proportion of female deputies in each parliamentary term has been only 9-14%, and the situation is not spectacularly better in the representative bodies of local governments. As a direct consequence of this, questions and problems affecting women and related professional suggestions can easily be pushed aside. The lack of involvement of women clearly worsens the chances of effective equality, the possibility of eliminating gender-based unfairness, or the creation of a welfare state.

Currently, Hungary lacks mechanisms such as quota systems that could effectively increase the proportion of women in decision-making.

The European Union has taken several measures and initiatives to reduce disparities between women and men; its priority is to make gender equality a reality in the near future.

Equal opportunities are one of the EU’s core values and are reflected in legislation, strategies and financial instruments. An important step is the 2020-2025 Gender Equality Strategy, which focuses on five main areas, such as ending violence against women, encouraging equal participation in decision-making, and breaking down gender stereotypes. Two years ago, the EU adopted new rules to improve the gender balance among directors and executives of listed companies. With a minimum female quota of 40%, you can ensure that the glass ceiling can finally be broken. This EU directive must be transposed into Hungarian practice by 28 December this year. While the EU directive would ensure compliance with the objectives through fines, Hungarian law only requires companies to justify and present plans. If the government exceeds the two-year deadline, it may be subject to infringement proceedings.

In Hungary, some EU legislation has been formally enacted and some results can be seen, especially in the field of civic initiatives. At the same time, the practical application of the measures and institutional support are often inadequate, which hinders the achievement of the objectives. Hungary is among the last in the EU gender equality index, clearly indicating the need for further measures.

A clear correlation can be observed between the happiness index of some countries and their women’s degree of political participation: a 2021 study showed that there is a significant positive relationship between the UN gender equality indicators and the World Happiness Report happiness indices. So, if we want a happier country, we need to involve women in political decisions. Women’s political participation is not only an end in itself but also a driver of the overall well-being of society. More equal political representation strengthens social cohesion, improves the quality of decision-making, and contributes to social happiness, especially when accompanied by other factors that support equality and justice.

In Hungary, women’s political participation and gender equality are among the lowest ranks both in the EU and worldwide, and the happiness index is only in the middle of the global field (Denmark ranks first out of 137 countries; Hungary is ranked 51st). Low female participation in public life is likely to contribute to less emphasis on social issues such as education or health care on the political agenda, which negatively affects happiness levels.

One of the first steps of our movement was to seek out hundreds of women for invitation to the “More women in public life!” conference. About 200 people were active participants in the conference, coming together to discuss some issues and avenues of change. We are now working as a community to make the representation of women in Hungary more proportionate by 2030.

After the conference, we launched an online platform for the participants where we can continue to work together, taking into account the results of the conference. Beyond Budapest, we are also delivering the message of the lectures to many settlements, as well as holding events, discussion forums, and workshops. We are building a community where we welcome women who believe in change and want to do something about it.

Thus, we are trying to promote the empowerment of women with our movement, and we want to find the appropriate tools and practices for this.

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We urge the Hungarian government and actors influencing public opinion to take immediate action to increase women’s participation in public life by implementing the following seven points, in line with EU values and objectives:

1. Changes in social attitudes 

The government should launch awareness-raising campaigns to promote the role of women in public life as soon as possible. Programs underlining the importance of political participation should be disseminated in schools and in the media, relying on independent and accessible public media. One of the EU’s priorities is to promote gender equality through social awareness-raising, which should also be implemented in Hungary.

2. Supporting the balance of work and family life 

We urge that the political and public working environment become family-friendly. It is essential to provide childcare, to develop a flexible and hybrid work schedule, and to support the reconciliation of childbearing and political careers.

Real equality can only be achieved if men also do their share of caring and invisible work. The care strategies put forward by the European Commission, such as the Work-Life Balance Directive, already point to their importance, and Hungary should apply these principles in practice.

3. Education and awareness-raising 

We expect an emphasis on political awareness and active citizenship in the curriculums of secondary schools and universities. Launching community programs and involving young women in solving local issues would help their public engagement in the long term. 

Furthermore, we urge the launch of nationwide educational programs on gender roles that shape the attitudes and attitudes of boys and girls. This is in line with the EU’s education strategies, which aim to strengthen equality and social justice through raising awareness.

4. Strengthening economic independence  

We urge that women’s economic autonomy be supported with equal wages, equal opportunities in the workplace, and entrepreneurial programs. Improving the education, health and social areas is essential to provide the right supportive background. We reject support systems that increase women’s economic dependence while keeping them in abusive relationships. According to the guidelines of the EU Gender Equality Strategy, all Member States should strive for the economic empowerment of women.

5. Introduce mandatory gender quotas 

We consider it necessary to ensure proportionate representation of women in parliament, municipalities and political parties, as well as in the civil and corporate spheres by introducing gender quotas. In order to achieve a gender balance, it is essential to apply the zipper principle on the parliamentary and local election lists, as well as to reform party regulations. This is in line with the EU’s ambitions to promote gender equality with a particular focus on policy making.

6. Transparent promotion and nomination processes 

We urge transparency in promotion and nomination systems in political and public organizations. Equal opportunities policies and policies should be created to ensure that all women have the same opportunities to achieve leadership positions. This is in line with the EU’s equal treatment policies and efforts to increase the proportion of women leaders.

7. Coaching and Supporting Women Leaders 

We expect training programs and mentoring opportunities for women to be launched. Developing campaigning and leadership skills and organizing networking events are essential to promote women’s participation in public life. EU Structural Funds and other EU funds can be excellent instruments for financing these programs.

Our common goal

These measures not only improve the situation of women, but also contribute to the development of a fairer, more balanced and happier society in Hungary. A joint effort of government and public opinion shapers is needed to make these goals a reality!

Let’s start making a difference today! More women in public life!

— Notes 1 http://arkadiafolyoirat.hu/index.php/4-a-no 2 https://www.ipu.org/resources/publications/infographics/2023-03/women-in-politics-2023 3 https://commission.europa.eu/strategy-and-policy/policies/justice-and-fundamental-rights/gender-equa… 4 https://www.consilium.europa.eu/hu/policies/gender-balance-corporate-boards/ 5 https://eige.europa.eu/gender-equality-index 6 https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.745818/full

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