Gender Quotas as Catalysts for Change: A Comprehensive Review of Gender Quotas in Politics

This study comprehensively examines the recent empirical research on gender quotas. First, it examines the body of research on the impact of women’s political presence on the formulation of public policies. Although numerous studies have highlighted the ability of female politicians to implement policies that resonate with women’s preferences, it is noteworthy that exceptions do exist. Second, it examines the emerging and expanding literature that demonstrates the far-reaching effects of women’s political engagement. These effects encompass not only policy outcomes but also extend to domains such as corruption, economic activities, political participation and social norms regarding women. Furthermore, this study addresses pertinent concerns surrounding the representation of politicians, including potential hindrances to meritocratic principles, the potential fostering of elite-centric politics and the utilisation of proxy candidates. Amidst these discussions, the efficacy of gender quotas is uncovered, exhibiting a spectrum of affirmative outcomes. These range from enabling policy alignment with women's preferences to fostering a broader enhancement of women's empowerment. However, it remains crucial to acknowledge the contextual dependence and variability of these effects—based on the specific political stratum under scrutiny, as well as the prevailing degree of gender inequality embedded within the socio-political fabric of the nation.