2008/08/21 by Teresa Sacchet · 1 citation
Social Sciences · #Gender Politics and Representation #Electoral Systems and Political Participation #Social Policy and Reform Studies
paper · doi:10.1080/14616740802185700
openalex publication_date 2008/08/21 · openalex created_date 2016/06/24 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/29
This article considers the impact of electoral quotas for women. Most studies have either focused on whether particular policies increase the numbers of women elected or assessed the extent to which a greater number of women in the legislature produces more gender-sensitive legislation. However, little attention has been paid to the cultural changes that can result from adopting gender quotas. This article argues that, although increasing the number of women in legislatures may improve the attention to gender issues, broader processes are involved. Latin American women's activism and alliances have been critical in ensuring the expansion of women's rights and increasing the number of women elected. Quotas, and the debate surrounding their adoption, have provided an incentive for women's collective action and fostered the politicization of gender issues. An analysis of the impact of quotas, therefore, must recognize these broader impacts.