Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance

Global Database of Quotas for Women

A joint project of
International IDEA and Stockholm University

Stockholm University
Disclaimer: Contributions are the views of the users and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of SU/IDEA.

Quota Discussion forum

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Subject: Special Measures Workshop Suggests Quotas for Women in Politics; Posted by Dr Priya Chattier  from Fiji: 2008-10-06 01:30:09.0

Last week, a two-day sub-regional workshop on special measures was held in Port Moresby which highlighted that Pacific nations need to have both genders represented in parliament if they are to realize their full potential in the global environment. This workshop was organized by the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat in partnership with the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC), AusAID, UNDP Pacific Centre, the Inter-Parliamentary Union, International Development Law Organization (IDLO), and the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM).

 

Against the world average of 16 percent women parliamentarians, the Pacific countries have the lowest average by region of 3.1percent (excluding Australia and New Zealand). The Pacific region has five out of the seven countries in the world without any women in parliament and these include: Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, Palau, Solomon Islands and Tuvalu.

 

Temporary special measures in the form of quotas emerged as the possible future direction for Pacific Island countries at this workshop. International experience as well as experience from our region shows that special measures are necessary for progress. In fact, quotas will ensure that women constitute at least a “critical minority” of 30 or 40 percent.

 

However, it became clear that quotas by itself is not a sufficient guarantee to get critical mass of women into elected positions. The workshop demonstrated that proportional presentation combined with a quota system, preferable constitutional or legislated, is probably the best recipe for ensuring the desired result. For example, while the establishment of reserved seats for women may have worked for Autonomous Bougainville Government of Papua New Guinea, it may not be favorable option for Fiji because of strong party systems vis-à-vis plurality-based constituencies.

  

There is no doubt that while the choice of electoral system plays a major role in the participation of women in elected offices, other variables are also at play. Gender biases and stereotypes that do not encourage women to enter politics remain pervasive at all levels of society in Pacific Islands Countries. In fact, UNIFEM Pacific’s new Gender Equality in Political Governance (GEPG) program which was also launched at this workshop in Port Moresby aims to advance gender equality in political governance in the Pacific through increased participation and support of women as active citizens and leaders.

Subject: status of quotaproject.org; Posted by Lisa Baldez  from United States: 2008-09-29 16:24:33.0

Dear Quotaproject administrators,

I am a faithful user of quotaproject.org. I refer to it often in doing my own research and I use it as a teaching tool in many of my classes. I would like to know how often the information on the site is updated.

Thank you.

Lisa Baldez

Subject: Quotas in Angola; Posted by Aili Tripp  from United States: 2008-06-11 14:26:01.0
I am writing from Luanda, Angola. This information is note reflected on your website database. I just interviewed the head of the Women's Parliamentary Group and she showed me a law from 2005 Article 20, line "l" which requires all parties to adopt a 30% quota for women candidates. It does not indicate how they are to be placed on the party list. They have not had elections since 1992 but will have elections in September 2008. The ruling party, MPLA, had a 30% quota already in 1992, but several of the women were drawn into government and a few died in a car accident, which reduced the overall number of women in parliament. They were replaced by men. 
Subject: E-Discussion on Gender Quotas in Politics; Posted by Bahar Salimova  from United States: 2008-06-06 04:32:11.0
We are pleased to launch the second moderated Electronic Discussion (E-Discussion) of the International Knowledge Network of Women in Politics on the Gender Quotas as a Mechanism for Promoting Women in Politics.   This E-Discussion will focus on strengthening the knowledge base about gender quotas, the implementation of gender quotas around the world, and their impact on women’s political representation. It will also provide a forum for the exchange of ideas, experiences, and cases related to the following key issues:   
  1. Quotas and Their Implementation Mechanisms: What are gender quotas and what types of quotas exist around the world? How necessary are quotas for increasing the representation of women in decision-making and power sharing positions?  
  2. Quota Types and Electoral Systems: What types of quotas are most effective for increasing women’s political participation? What socio-political circumstances and electoral systems have proven most favorable for the introduction of gender quotas?   Is there a preferred percentage for gender quotas?    
  3. Resistance to Quotas and How to Overcome It: What is the main criticism or source of resistance to the implementation of gender quotas? How can such resistance be overcome or counter-balanced? What institutional reforms should be carried out to promote and successfully implement gender quotas? In what ways is changing socio-cultural norms important for the success of gender quotas? 
  4. Advocating for Quotas: What strategies have been used by women and grassroots organizations to promote the adoption and implementation of quotas? What are the main obstacles encountered by these organizations in their advocacy work?
 This E-Discussion will be held between June 4-11, 2008, and will engage women leaders, practitioners, activists and their supporters from around the world.  We look forward to receiving your responses to the above mentioned discussion questions as well as to learning about your experiences related to gender quotas. You may contribute to the E-Discussion in English, French or Spanish, and participate at your own convenience. Visit the iKNOW Politics website at http://www.iknowpolitics.org/ediscussionen to register and participate in the E-Discussion.   We anticipate a lively and constructive debate. Best regards, The International Knowledge Network of Women in Politics Team www.iknowpolitics.org
Subject: Indian quota fight; Posted by Ammu Abraham  from India: 2008-06-02 12:35:08.0
India must be the only country in the world where 'caste' is at the centre of the contentious debate about whether to reserve 33.3% seats for women in Parliament. Because India already has a well established quota system on the basis of 'backward castes' in education especially, the women's reservation without caste definition is being opposed, apparently. But the 'backward caste' men constitute the majority of Members of Parliament (National/Central) and never thought of taking action to increase the number of women from the same castes
Subject: thanks; Posted by fschmidt  from United States: 2008-05-31 12:02:09.0
Thank you for providing this useful information.  I am looking for a country to move to, and I will avoid those with quotas.
Subject: women Qouta system; Posted by Ahmed  from Sudan: 2008-02-03 14:05:52.0
I failed to comprehend the debate that dominates the political scene these days in Sudan, where political parties (mostly dominated by men) divided on this issue, 13 Sudanese political parties (including SPLM) against the National Congress Party (NCP). They stuck in the issue of what quota system to use in the election law. It seams the NCP in favor of (reserved seats: a tier for women candidates only). The other parties favoring (Nomination: percentage regulations without placement mandate/rank-order rules). I have no idea if any one understood what was the fuss is all about.
Subject: Canada; Posted by josh  from Canada: 2008-02-02 20:12:47.0

I was wondering if Canada has a quota for Women in the parliment?

 

Thanks. 

Subject: quotas in the government composition; Posted by marta  from Spain: 2007-07-25 12:25:42.0
Does exist any law which sets any quota regarding the governement composition? (I mean ministers and so on?). Thank you very much
Subject: Quota on Nigeria; Posted by Yemisi  from Finland: 2007-05-16 09:18:42.0

This is a great website!

I was curious to know what women's quota will be for my country Nigeria, but it was not available. Will the site be updated periodically to include countries not currently featured (like Nigeria)?

Thanks and kind regards

Yemisi

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