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Electoral Quotas and Beyond: Strategies to Promote Women in Politics

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Women, Politics, and Democracy in Latin America

Abstract

There have been significant advances in women’s political representation around the world in recent years. While impressive, these developments are still far from reflecting equal representation. To explore possibilities for breaking the glass ceiling in politics, this chapter assesses the progress that has been made—and explores additional ways forward in promoting women in politics—in Latin America, situated in relation to developments witnessed in other regions. The chapter focuses on several strategies where Latin American countries have led the way: gender quotas, political financing regulations, and laws criminalizing violence against women in politics. Drawing on global experiences, it then outlines additional strategies that could be pursued in the region to make politics a more attractive job for women and to empower women who have been elected.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Political Science, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, USA

    Mona Lena Krook

Authors
  1. Mona Lena Krook
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Political Science, Pontifical Catholic University of Chile, Chile

    Tomáš Došek

  2. Institute of Legal Research, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Mexico

    Flavia Freidenberg

  3. School of Politics and Government, National University of San Martín, Argentina

    Mariana Caminotti

  4. Organization of American States, USA

    Betilde Muñoz-Pogossian

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Krook, M.L. (2017). Electoral Quotas and Beyond: Strategies to Promote Women in Politics. In: Došek, T., Freidenberg, F., Caminotti, M., Muñoz-Pogossian, B. (eds) Women, Politics, and Democracy in Latin America. Crossing Boundaries of Gender and Politics in the Global South. Palgrave Macmillan, New York. https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-349-95009-6_2

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