A new study has confirmed that women are significantly less likely to become politically active than men.

In particular, the Electoral Commission report found that women were less likely to contact politicians, join a political party or make a political donation.

Practical reasons cited for the difference include having young children, the perceived "male dominance" in political life, and barriers through a lack of economic or educational resources.

"This study provides new insights into the subject of gender and participation," said Joan Jones, deputy commissioner at the Electoral Commission.

"It reveals that, despite some progress, women remain more switched off from taking part in politics through formal processes than men, particularly at a national level.

"It confirms previous research by showing that universal solutions will be insufficient in addressing voter disengagement.  Instead, what is needed are specific responses that are sensitive to the particular experiences and perceptions of different sections of the electorate."

Increased participation

The study found that women are as likely as men to participate in demonstrations, but more likely to be active in championing certain causes, such as signing petitions or boycotting products.

In addition, women were found to be more likely to vote, with predictions that the gender gap that existed before 1979 may now have been reversed.

In all-postal voting areas during the 2003 local elections, turnout was 13 per cent higher among women than among men.

The level of political engagement among women was also found to increase where there was a woman MP.  During the 2001 general election, turnout among women was four per cent higher than among men in seats where a woman MP was elected.

Of those questioned, 49 per cent of women in a constituency represented by a female MP agreed with the statement that "government benefits people like me", compared to 38 per cent in a constituency represented by a man.

The report was welcomed by women MPs.

"Political parties ignore the women’s vote at their peril so I am very pleased to have the results of this new study," said shadow minister for women Eleanor Laing.

"We know that there are more women than men in Britain today and that more women are likely to vote. For these reasons we take the women’s vote very seriously.

"We have for some time fully recognised and supported the need for women to be encouraged to take a more pro-active approach in political activism, both at a central and local level.  However, we have not yet done nearly enough."