women in politics

Efforts to close gender gaps in politics have focused heavily on getting women elected to parliament, but this overlooks the very different challenges facing non-elite women. New research examines how patriarchal norms, social networks, and a lack of independent decision-making shape women's political engagement across the world.

In India, women city councillors outperform men. Yet gender quotas actually reduce the overall welfare of voters as deep-seated discrimination against women outweighs policy gains. Alternative designs can improve both representation and welfare.

In Indian local politics, women politicians empower women party activists for their campaigns, which reduces gender gaps in political knowledge and political participation

Greater female participation in political leadership roles is associated with a decline in violence against women in Brazil