Gender Quota in Different Countries: A Comparative Study
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Abstract
This study examines the implementation and impact of gender quotas across different countries as a mechanism to enhance women's representation in politics, corporate leadership, and public decision-making. Gender quotas—ranging from legislated candidate quotas and reserved seats to voluntary party quotas—have emerged as significant tools in addressing historical gender imbalances. Through a comparative analysis of countries such as Rwanda, Sweden, India, Norway, France, Mexico, and Tunisia, this paper explores the variations in quota design, enforcement, and outcomes. The findings reveal that while gender quotas have contributed to increasing female representation, their effectiveness largely depends on factors such as legal frameworks, cultural contexts, political will, and enforcement mechanisms. Countries with well-designed quotas, such as Rwanda's reserved seats and Mexico’s parity laws, have achieved notable success in gender representation. However, challenges such as tokenism, societal resistance, and limited impact on broader gender norms persist. The study concludes that gender quotas, while necessary, must be supported by complementary measures like leadership training, capacity-building, and continuous monitoring to ensure sustainable progress toward gender equality.
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