Gender Balance

Increasing Women’s Political Representation: New Trends in Gender Quotas

Citation:

Dahlerup, Drude. 2005. “Increasing Women’s Political Representation: New Trends in Gender Quotas.” In Women in Parliament: Beyond Numbers, edited by Julie Ballington and Azza Karam, 141-153. Stockholm, Sweden: International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA).

Author: Drude Dahlerup

Abstract:

Given the slow speed at which the number of women in politics is growing, different policy measures are being introduced to reach gender balance in political institutions. Quotas present one such mechanism to increase, and safeguard, women’s presence in parliaments and are now being introduced all over the world. What are the arguments for and against the use of quotas? What types of quota have led to substantial increase in women’s political representation in practice? Which quotas work best in different electoral systems and how can they be effectively enforced? This chapter examines the world of electoral quotas and the ways in which quotas can lead, and have led, to historic leaps in women’s political representation.

Keywords: women in politics, political representation, gender quotas, electoral systems

Topics: Gender, Women, Gender Balance, Governance, Quotas, Political Participation

Year: 2005

Read more about Increasing Women’s Political Representation: New Trends in Gender Quotas

Pages

© 2024 CONSORTIUM ON GENDER, SECURITY & HUMAN RIGHTSLEGAL STATEMENT All photographs used on this site, and any materials posted on it, are the property of their respective owners, and are used by permission. Photographs: The images used on the site may not be downloaded, used, or reproduced in any way without the permission of the owner of the image. Materials: Visitors to the site are welcome to peruse the materials posted for their own research or for educational purposes. These materials, whether the property of the Consortium or of another, may only be reproduced with the permission of the owner of the material. This website contains copyrighted materials. The Consortium believes that any use of copyrighted material on this site is both permissive and in accordance with the Fair Use doctrine of 17 U.S.C. § 107. If, however, you believe that your intellectual property rights have been violated, please contact the Consortium at info@genderandsecurity.org.