When Helen Clark was first elected to New Zealand¡¯s parliament in 1981, she was one of only eight female lawmakers among the 92 representatives. Now, women account for nearly 38 percent of the parliament, including a new prime minister who is expected to deliver a baby this month.
Clark, who was prime minister from 1999 to 2008, said that New Zealand¡¯s political scene has come a long way to become gender-friendly and that it is time for Japan to push harder to increase female representation in the Diet and its companies.
¡°I think women have to come forward, and obviously it¡¯s good if men make them welcome. I think political parties have to try harder to recruit women,¡± Clark told The Japan Times during a visit to Tokyo late last month.
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