(iPoster) From Seats to Substance: The Impact of Electoral Gender Quotas in MENA

• In Event: Poster Sessions: Candidates and Elections; Education Politics and Policy; & Creating Spaces for Civic Engagement
  In Poster Session: Poster Session: Candidates and Elections

Abstract

How do different types of electoral gender quotas shape societal perceptions of women’s political leadership? While gender quotas are widely credited with increasing the descriptive representation of women in politics, less is known about their substantive impact on public attitudes. This paper examines how varying quota designs influence societal views of women in political roles across four North African countries: Egypt, Tunisia, Algeria, and Morocco. Using a difference-in-differences approach on multiple waves of the Arab Barometer survey, this study evaluates whether the implementation of gender quotas leads to shifts in public opinion about women’s political capabilities and legitimacy. The paper argues that the type of electoral gender quota system determines how successful it is in strengthening views on women’s political ability. Specifically, zipper systems, which require alternating male and female candidates on party lists, increase the visibility and accountability of women politicians, thereby enhancing societal perceptions of their leadership. In contrast, simple list quotas or reserved seat quotas may offer fewer opportunities for visibility and thus have a more limited effect on public attitudes.

Author

• Farzin Shargh, SUNY, University at Albany