Women, Politics, and Democracy in Latin America: An Introduction

Abstract

In Latin America, increases in women’s political participation and their access to power have transformed national congresses, from their agendas to their organization (UNDP 2015; Htun and Piscopo 2014; Rodríguez Gustá 2011). Over a relatively short period, a number of democratic transitions, constituent assemblies, electoral and institutional reforms have provided opportunities for the advancement of women’s political and social rights (ECLAC 2014). According to data from the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU 2015) and the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC 2015), the average number of female national legislators in lower houses in the Americas increased from 9 % to 27 % between 1990 and 2015. In the same period, practically all Latin American countries introduced electoral gender quotas or parity regulations in their electoral codes or constitutions. In 2016, Bolivia ranked as the second highest in terms of number of women in the legislature in the world (53 %), only coming behind Rwanda. In Cuba, Mexico, Ecuador, and Nicaragua, over 40 % of legislators are women.