ABSTRACT
This chapter explains important findings from this study while identifying common trends across Asia and the sub-regions of South Asia, Southeast Asia, and East Asia. It examines to what degree Asian parliamentarians have prioritized substantive representation of women (SRW). It assesses whether SRW was a primary reason or motivation behind why members of parliament (MPs) entered politics in the first place and whether they viewed SRW as a pressing issue for their governments to address. MPs interviewed in this study expressed what they felt were the most important issues today that need government’s attention. MPs were asked whether they make a serious effort to work and consult with female voters. In South Asia, male MPs in Bangladesh and Nepal did not mention which women they represented whereas in Bangladesh, all women MPs except one said they represent all women while one woman MP stood for disadvantaged women.
