Gender QuotasGender QuotasWomen and Elections

The National Democratic Institute

• Introductions• Ground rules• Ice breaker exercise

INTRODUCTIONS/INTRODUCTIONS/GROUND RULESGROUND RULES

GENDER QUOTA GENDER QUOTA OBJECTIVESOBJECTIVES

• To understand the types of quotas• To increase awareness of the

reasons for/arguments against quotas

• To share strategies for addressing the larger context

GENDER QUOTA TOPICSGENDER QUOTA TOPICS

• History and rationale behind quotas

• Types of quotas• Arguments for and against quotas• Enforcement• Addressing quality, environment

KEY TERMSKEY TERMS• Gender quota• Enabling environment

QUOTA HISTORY: CEDAWQUOTA HISTORY: CEDAW

• “take all appropriate measures to eliminate discrimination against women in the political and public life”

• “ensure” that women are “on equal terms with men” in running for office at all levels and participating in civic life

QUOTA HISTORY: BEIJING QUOTA HISTORY: BEIJING PLATFORM FOR ACTIONPLATFORM FOR ACTION

• Gender equality in national assemblies

• Initial 33% quota• States take action to

substantially increase women’s representation

QUOTA RATIONALEQUOTA RATIONALE

• Ensures critical mass of women in decision-making positions

• Prescribes minimum level of women’s representation in political positions

• Puts burden on those in control of recruitment process

TYPES OF QUOTAS: TYPES OF QUOTAS: RESERVED SEATSRESERVED SEATS

• Number or percentage of seats reserved for women

• Three ways to implement:1) Win a competitive election2) Win a competitive election in

which women only compete with other women

3) Appointed by the government

EXAMPLE: UGANDAEXAMPLE: UGANDA

• Constitution mandates one woman representative per district

• 112 districts • Other special groups must include

1 woman• Women are 35% of parliament • 135 of 386 total

TYPES OF QUOTAS: TYPES OF QUOTAS: CANDIDATE QUOTACANDIDATE QUOTA

• Candidate Quotas

1. Man 12. Man 23. Man 34. Man 45. Man 56. Man 67. Man 78. Man 89. Man 910.Man 10

1. Man 12. Man 23. Woman 14. Man 35. Man 46. Woman 27. Man 58. Man 69. Woman 310. Man 7

1. Man 12. Woman 13. Man 24. Woman 25. Man 36. Woman 37. Man 48. Woman 49. Man 510.Woman 5

EXAMPLE: COSTA RICAEXAMPLE: COSTA RICA

• 40% quota – zipper system in lists• Women elected to 22 of 57 seats • Women are 39% of parliament

Photo: Operation World

VOLUNTARY PARTY VOLUNTARY PARTY QUOTASQUOTAS

• Voluntary• Don’t interfere with internal party

affairs• Can be easier to pass than

legislated quotas• More difficult to enforce

EXAMPLE: SWEDENEXAMPLE: SWEDEN

• Voluntary party quotas in 4 main parties

• 45% women in parliament (157 of 349)

OTHER GENDER QUOTASOTHER GENDER QUOTAS Parliament Government Ministers Commissions and Committee Membership Municipal Councils Electoral boards and commission Other decision making bodies at all levels of government Corporate Boards

USING GENDER NEUTRAL USING GENDER NEUTRAL LANGUAGELANGUAGE

• Can help ease tensions • Example:– instead of saying “20% of seats

for women”, law could say–“no less than 20% of seats can

go to members of a single gender”

ARGUMENTS AGAINST ARGUMENTS AGAINST QUOTASQUOTAS

• Could limit women’s participation• Parties won’t adopt inclusive

candidate nomination processes• Not enough women candidates• Not enough skilled women

candidates• Candidate selection based on merit

ARGUMENTS FOR QUOTASARGUMENTS FOR QUOTAS

• Promotes equal representation • Women’s experiences will benefit

political processes • Critical mass will help more women

get elected• Women tend to cooperate, invest in

community, support peace

DO QUOTAS WORK?DO QUOTAS WORK?

• Placement and enforcement key factors

• Penalties and incentives• Loopholes

STRATEGIES FOR STRATEGIES FOR SUPPORT/ SUPPORT/

IMPLEMENTATIONIMPLEMENTATION• Galvanize political party support for

candidate quotas and formalize in party statutes

• Establish guidelines for candidate recruitment and party nomination committees

• Ensure implementation and placement in winnable positions

STRATEGIES FOR STRATEGIES FOR SUPPORT/ SUPPORT/

IMPLEMENTATIONIMPLEMENTATION• Monitor compliance• Cultivate strategies alliances with

men• Expand pool of skilled women

candidates• Regional/global sharing of

experiences

EXERCISE:EXERCISE:QUOTA STRATEGIESQUOTA STRATEGIES

• Break into groups• Develop strategic plan• Present to group

GENDER QUOTAS GENDER QUOTAS REVIEWREVIEW• History and rationale behind

quotas• Types of quotas• Arguments for and against quotas• Enforcement• Addressing quality, environment

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