Political Participation of Women in Norway : Strong Involvement by both Politicians and the Public

Abstract

It is often said that in Nordic countries gender equality has been achieved to a great extent than in other countries. In Norway, gender equality especially in a political sphere is highly achieved and more women have been successful as politicians than other industrialized nations. In the latest national election of 2009, 42 percent of all the candidates were female, and half of the ministers in the current Cabinet are women. This paper firstly points out the statistics showing of women＇s participation in politics from the past to the latest elections, and then it will point out both historical and political backgrounds which led Norwegian women highly involved in politics.