Breaking the Glass Ceiling: Women in Latin American Presidential Politics

• In Event: Género, Democracia y Políticas de Representación

Abstract

In the past decade, four Latin American countries have elected women presidents (Chile, Argentina, Brazil and Costa Rica), and in eight countries, congress has currently more than 25% of female representation in the Lower or Single House. In a region known for its machismo and religious traditionalism, this is a major accomplishment toward gender equality at the highest level of politics. For a quick comparison, in the United States no woman has been president and female representation in congress is 18%. The central question this paper will address is what factors account for this representation of women at the presidential level in some Latin American countries. To examine this issue, I seek to identify developmental, attitudinal and institutional factors that have contributed to greater female participation in politics in Latin American countries. The assumption is that these factors will be more prominent in countries that have elected women presidents in the last decade, along with specific contextual factors. The analysis will be based on a set of variables that seem important for the advancement of women in politics: 1) the level of human development, 2) the level of gender equality, 3) the level of political freedom, 4) public opinion toward female participation in politics, 5) elite cues favorable to women’s political engagement, 6) the significance of the women’s movement, and 7) the existence of gender quota laws and the size of female congressional representation.

Author

• Rosario Espinal, Temple University