Women and Politics: Evidence of Legislative Change

This study analyzes the legislative trends in gender equality that have occurred as more women have taken office in the national parliaments of Mexico, Uganda, and Viet Nam. These three countries are among the leaders in their respective regions in terms of proportion of women in parliament. By examining the national parliaments of Mexico, Uganda, and Viet Nam broadly between 2001 and 2013, the study describes trends in women’s election to national parliaments, ensuing trends in gender-targeted legislation, and factors that have facilitated or obstructed the passage of key gender-targeted bills.

The research methodology of this study entails analyzing two pieces of legislation for each case study: a gender-targeted bill that was successfully passed and one that failed. In the instance of Viet Nam, the analysis focuses on one piece of legislation in which two important provisions for gender equality were omitted from the final version of the bill. Through these sub-cases, the study attempts to understand the factors that promote and hinder women’s substantive representation. These sub-cases are placed within a country context analysis that illuminates recent trends in women’s political representation, legislative trends for the time period considered, and the political and legislative structure in each of the countries.

While elucidating the path taken to promote specific gender-equality legislation in each country’s parliament, the study ultimately offers lessons learned for promoting women’s substantive political representation.