In person icon Gender Quotas in East Central and South Eastern Europe

Abstract

Gender quotas are by now a globally diffused measure for increasing the political representation of women in electoral politics. Under favourable conditions, they have been shown to be a particularly efficient instrument that allows for a fast increase of the number of women in elected (and appointed) bodies. However, they still remain controversial and often face manifold obstacles to their adoption and implementation. This panel aims to assess quota implementation in the "new" Europe, e.g. the countries of East Central and South Eastern Europe where electoral or party quotas were introduced only recently and as part of a more or less successful democratic transition and Europeanisation. How effective have gender quotas so far been in these countries and at various political levels (from the local to the national and, where applicable, European level)? What obstacles have prevented a more effective implementation? Has a better descriptive representation also translated into a better representation of 'women's interests', a better acceptance of female politicians, a change in political culture or into an increased sensitivity for gender equality? How important has EU conditionality been for the adoption and implementation of gender quotas? These and similar questions will be tackled in the various contributions to the panel, either in the form of case studies or of comparative studies.