2009/11/01 by Lori Beaman, Raghabendra Chattopadhyay, Esther Duflo +2 · 7 citations
Social Sciences · #Gender Politics and Representation #Gender Diversity and Inequality #Gender, Labor, and Family Dynamics
paper · doi:10.1162/qjec.2009.124.4.1497
openalex publication_date 2009/11/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/31
We exploit random assignment of gender quotas for leadership positions on Indian village councils to show that prior exposure to a female leader is associated with electoral gains for women. After ten years of quotas, women are more likely to stand for, and win, elected positions in councils required to have a female chief councilor in the previous two elections. We provide experimental and survey evidence on one channel of influence—changes in voter attitudes. Prior exposure to a female chief councilor improves perceptions of female leader effectiveness and weakens stereotypes about gender roles in the public and domestic spheres.