Impact of Gender Quotas on Women’s Political Empowerment: A Comparative Study in India and Bangladesh

Abstract

<p>Women are a persistently disadvantaged group and far from achieving gender equality, especially in political institutions in developing countries. India and Bangladesh have introduced gender quotas in their local political systems in order to promote more women in politics. Gender quotas have increased the number of women in local councils in both countries. However, the question remains whether the women members elected through gender quotas have created an impact on the treatment of women’s matters and the decision-making process in local councils. This comparative case study examines the impact of gender quotas on women’s political empowerment, as well as the factors that hinder or facilitate women members raising their voices in the decision-making process in local councils – the Gram Panchayat in India and the Union Parishad in Bangladesh. This thesis finds that women in both countries confront some fundamental institutional, cultural and socio-economic barriers to their political empowerment. However, the dimension of these barriers is different in India and Bangladesh. These factors, as well as individual characteristics, assist women to raise their voices to claim public goods and resources for their constituents, and women in general. The findings also reveal that women elected through quotas in both countries are likely to work for women in local-level politics. Indian women are more enthusiastic about offering development services to their electorate, especially the women, than are the quota women in Bangladesh. Women in both countries are more likely than men to offer social welfare services to their constituents, especially women. This thesis supports the arguments of those critics of critical mass who argue that an increase in women’s numbers alone does not have a significant effect in promoting female favourable policies and practical outcomes.</p>