In person icon Gender and Political Leadership

Abstract

The study of women’s increasing presence in positions of political power has advanced as the number of cases available for study has increased. While similarities to more general explanations of gender differences in political recruitment do exist, our understanding of women’s distinct experiences in and pathways to and from positions of political leadership remains somewhat limited. The important role assigned to positions of political leadership alone provides sufficient justification for further investigating the topic. The papers in this panel directly address the issue of women’s experiences in gaining access to and removal from positions within the political executive and political parties, and how and why these differ from those of men. The papers examine a range of offices (cabinet, party leader, premier), countries (Scotland, Canada) and approaches (cross-national, case study, quantitative and qualitative). Each attempts to further our understanding of the structures that facilitate or inhibit women’s political leadership.