Participation of women in a country’s modernization process. Increased participation of women in collegial bodies between 2002 and 2010 on the example of Łódź City Council

Abstract

The article deals with the problem of the (un)representativeness of women’s participation in the country’s modernization processes. Based on the example of Łódź City Council, the author contends that the increase of women’s participation in the political sphere requires further legislative action. Furthermore, a major change in social consciousness in needed, questioning the gender stereotypes and stressing women’s competence in the sphere of politics. The enhanced presence of women in local government collegial bodies would contribute to gender equality and democratization of local communities.