Female Politicians: Legitimacy strategies and resources mobilized by Cristina Kirchner

Abstract

The Latin American political field has historically been permeated by male repertoires and practices, and is notable for its low female representation. Precisely for this reason, it is assumed that there are multiple strategies devised by females to enter and be recognised in political power struggles. Here the case of former president Cristina Kirchner is used to evoke ways of legitimizing practices perceived as feminine, in an attempt to enunciate probable processes of reconverting gender into a political resource. Similarly, her trajectory allows us to understand the specific dynamics of first ladyism and political matrimony as strategies for gaining and securing the legitimacy of the vote. The intention is to generate studies on a typology of female politicians, focusing on their practices in and for the political field.