WOMEN IN GOVERNMENT RELATIONS

A growing number of  women have joined the public policy advocacy profession and they are moving into all sectors. Also as the ranks of women lawmakers have widened, more organizations have sought women public policy advocates. Today there's not a separation of labor and there is no group of any size or any consequence that doesn't have a female lobbyist. And, those lobbying groups reap the benefits of women's experience.

Women lobbyists have some inherent strengths in this political game. Women are great mediators and facilitators and public policy advocacy  may be a more natural instinct for women. Women offer sensitivity to the process. Public policy advocacy is basically a process of communication and women are pretty good at communication.

Female or male, getting the job done is always the bottom line. Good political instinct and the ability to understand what you're being told are the keys to success in the field. You have to know what subject matter is worth in terms of political realities. The most important thing for a public policy advocate  to have is integrity. You have to know what you're talking about, and admit what you don't know and find out. You also have to love working with people.

Political women may bring a different outlook on problem-solving, conflict management, leadership style, and a more personal perspective on politics than the traditionally masculine model . Therefore women may not only represent constituents differently and prioritize issues in a distinct manner, they may also bring a new perspective to politics that is more interpersonal and integrative

Women public policy advocates use similar tactics to men, participating at similar levels in coalitions, high level meetings, testifying, contacting officials, organizing grassroots movements, running a media campaign etc.

Because women are approached for advice more often than men, they represent the  ‘conscience’ of interest group politics.