Introduction: Quotas - Add women and stir?

Abstract

Quotas have become increasingly popular as a fast track option for securing enhanced political representation largely because of their proven impact on increasing the number of women in parliament. As more countries have adopted one form or another of the quota, it is now timely to reflect on what the implications have been for transforming gender relations and the nature of politics at large. This introduction examines from the country case studies presented in this IDS Bulletin, the insight offered into the dynamics of motorways and pathways of increasing women’s decision-making power (with or without a quota) and the underlying assumptions about gender, power and politics as well as the policy issues for consideration.