The first reading of the citizens’ project of the parity bill for female representation is to take place in the Polish parliament today.

The idea that political parties should devote half of all places on the electoral lists to the national, European parliaments and local councils to women was conceived during the Polish Women Congress in Warsaw last June. 

Women currently make up 20 percent of Polish members of parliament and just eight percent of Polish senators.

The idea of parity is supported, not only by women or feminist activists. Among those who spoke in its favor are Oscar-winning director Andrzej Wajda, the government's economic advisor Michal Boni and the President of the European Parliament Jerzy Buzek. President Lech Kaczynski announced he would sign the bill if it passes through both chambers of parliament. 

Proponents of the initiative collected one hundred fifty thousand signatures in support.

Opponents of the bill, including the government's plenipotentiary for equal status, claim that imposing gender quota in such an artificial way is offensive to women and ineffective. Others say that women should not be given power they are not ready to handle yet. (di/mmj)