Video: Do male politicians have it easier?

(CNN) - Potential 2016 Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton said the 2016 campaign would be a friendlier environment for a female candidate than her last run in 2008.

But has it really gotten easier for women in politics?

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Rep. Tulsi Gabbard said Sunday that progress is slow, but it's there.

"I think that very slowly, we're starting to see the numbers of women in elected politics growing. But the numbers are still too low, it is still too slow," the Hawaii Democrat told guest hosts CNN's Dana Bash and Gloria Borger on "State of the Union."

"There are still many women who are hesitant to run for office for a number of different reasons or still need that extra push. So I think there are still some challenges that need to be overcome," she added.

Gabbard appeared on CNN with Rep. Adam Kinzinger, a Republican from Illinois. He was posed the same question - has it gotten any easier for women in participate in the political realm?

"I can't act like I know the challenges of that, and Tulsi's the best to respond," he said, adding however that he sees more engagement from women than in the past.

Kinzinger, who has faced female opponents in past elections, said male candidates have to be careful in their rhetoric.

"Obviously you don’t want to look like you're being unfair or biased. But at the same time, women are fully capable of fighting. And my fight in 2010 against a female incumbent, it was a pretty big battle - and they're plenty capable, that's for sure," he said.

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