Envisioning a U.S. Government That Isn't 84% Male: What the United States can Learn from Sweden, Rwanda, Burundi, and Other Nations
29 Pages Posted: 1 Oct 2012 Last revised: 4 Apr 2022
Date Written: October 1, 2007
Abstract
This paper explores solutions to American women’s low representation in elected political office based on strategies that have increased women’s representation in other countries. The list of nations above is an intentionally disparate sampling — these countries have different histories, governments, ethnic/religious/political make-ups, and standards of living, but they share one important characteristic: They have all made increasing women’s representation in politics a priority through passage of quotas at the political-party or subnational levels, constitutional amendments, or national election laws. How long until the United States catches up?
Keywords: women, gender, elections, election, politics, united states, sweden, rwanda, burundi, norway, international, comparative
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