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Gender Quotas Women and Elections

Gender Quotas Women and Elections. The National Democratic Institute. INTRODUCTIONS/ GROUND RULES. Introductions Ground rules Ice breaker exercise. GENDER QUOTA OBJECTIVES. To understand the types of quotas To increase awareness of the reasons for/arguments against quotas

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Gender Quotas Women and Elections

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  1. Gender QuotasWomen and Elections The National Democratic Institute

  2. INTRODUCTIONS/ GROUND RULES • Introductions • Ground rules • Ice breaker • exercise

  3. GENDER QUOTA OBJECTIVES • To understand the types of quotas • To increase awareness of the reasons for/arguments against quotas • To share strategies for addressing the larger context

  4. GENDER QUOTA TOPICS • History and rationale behind quotas • Types of quotas • Arguments for and against quotas • Enforcement • Addressing quality, environment

  5. KEY TERMS • Gender quota • Enabling environment

  6. QUOTA 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

  7. QUOTA HISTORY: BEIJING PLATFORM FOR ACTION • Gender equality in national assemblies • Initial 33% quota • States take action to substantially increase women’s representation

  8. QUOTA 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

  9. TYPES OF QUOTAS: RESERVED SEATS • Number or percentage of seats reserved for women • Three ways to implement: • Win a competitive election • Win a competitive election in which women only compete with other women • Appointed by the government

  10. EXAMPLE: 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

  11. TYPES OF QUOTAS: CANDIDATE QUOTA • Candidate Quotas • Man 1 • Man 2 • Man 3 • Man 4 • Man 5 • Man 6 • Man 7 • Man 8 • Man 9 • Man 10 • Man 1 • Man 2 • Woman 1 • Man 3 • Man 4 • Woman 2 • Man 5 • Man 6 • Woman 3 • Man 7 • Man 1 • Woman 1 • Man 2 • Woman 2 • Man 3 • Woman 3 • Man 4 • Woman 4 • Man 5 • Woman 5

  12. EXAMPLE: COSTA RICA • 40% quota – zipper system in lists • Women elected to 22 of 57 seats • Women are 39% of parliament Photo: Operation World

  13. VOLUNTARY PARTY QUOTAS • Voluntary • Don’t interfere with internal party affairs • Can be easier to pass than legislated quotas • More difficult to enforce

  14. EXAMPLE: SWEDEN • Voluntary party quotas in 4 main parties • 45% women in parliament (157 of 349)

  15. OTHER 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

  16. USING GENDER NEUTRAL LANGUAGE • 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”

  17. ARGUMENTS AGAINST QUOTAS • 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

  18. ARGUMENTS 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

  19. DO QUOTAS WORK? • Placement and enforcement key factors • Penalties and incentives • Loopholes

  20. STRATEGIES FOR SUPPORT/ IMPLEMENTATION • 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

  21. STRATEGIES FOR SUPPORT/ IMPLEMENTATION • Monitor compliance • Cultivate strategies alliances with men • Expand pool of skilled women candidates • Regional/global sharing of experiences

  22. EXERCISE: QUOTA STRATEGIES • Break into groups • Develop strategic plan • Present to group

  23. GENDER QUOTAS REVIEW • History and rationale behind quotas • Types of quotas • Arguments for and against quotas • Enforcement • Addressing quality, environment • Questions? • Feedback?

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