Women, Political Parties and Electoral Systems in Latin America

This case study analyses how political parties and electoral systems shape women’s opportunities to gain access to power in Latin America. In the past 15 years, many of the region’s parties have made significant efforts to promote women. Eleven countries in the region adopted quota laws for women’s candidacies and a 12th, Colombia, has introduced them for senior positions in the executive branch. The influence of quotas is conditioned by electoral rules: the measure works best in countries with closed-list proportional representation (PR) electoral systems, placement mandates, and large electoral districts. Yet the weakness of the political parties and party systems in many countries, particularly in the Andean region, poses a threat. International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance / International IDEA, 2005

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Contributor: Carmen Villegas Caballero
Published Date: April 28, 2008