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What’s the secret to attracting more women into politics? Give them more resources

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February 9, 2024

What’s the secret to attracting more women into politics? Give them more resources

Source: The Conversation

With Victorian council elections to be held in October, the state government’s target of reaching 50-50 gender representation at the local level is under threat.

While the state achieved a record 43.8% of women elected to councils in 2020, outperforming most federal and state parliaments, and succeeded in achieving gender parity in 47 out of 76 councils, the overall 50-50 gender representation target by 2025 will still be difficult to reach.

Globally, gender quotas have been a tried and tested way of lifting women’s political representation. But research also shows quotas can divide public opinion, and they work better in some contexts than others. With this in mind, we wanted to test alternative measures to support women in politics, which also attract public support.

Click here to read the full article published by The Conversation on 8 February 2024.

Image source: The Conversation

Resource type
Region
Author
Andrea Carson & Leah Ruppanner
Focus areas

With Victorian council elections to be held in October, the state government’s target of reaching 50-50 gender representation at the local level is under threat.

While the state achieved a record 43.8% of women elected to councils in 2020, outperforming most federal and state parliaments, and succeeded in achieving gender parity in 47 out of 76 councils, the overall 50-50 gender representation target by 2025 will still be difficult to reach.

Globally, gender quotas have been a tried and tested way of lifting women’s political representation. But research also shows quotas can divide public opinion, and they work better in some contexts than others. With this in mind, we wanted to test alternative measures to support women in politics, which also attract public support.

Click here to read the full article published by The Conversation on 8 February 2024.

Image source: The Conversation

Resource type
Region
Author
Andrea Carson & Leah Ruppanner
Focus areas