Electoral Systems and Laws

Choosing the type of electoral system is one of the most important institutional decisions for any democracy. Electoral systems can be classified into groups based on the processes by which they translate votes into seats. The three main groups are plurality/majority systems, mixed systems and proportional systems, as well as others that do not fit easily into these categories.

Different electoral systems and laws can result in different outcomes in terms of the representation of women. The type of electoral system is, therefore, a key variable in accounting for why some countries have higher levels of female representation than others do. This Web site contains documents explaining the advantages and disadvantages of different electoral systems and how they can be used in combination with quotas to increase the representation of women and facilitate their participation.

From the Library

Equal Participation of Women and Men in Decision-Making Processes, with Particular Emphasis on Political Participation

This paper describes issues relevant to women's political participation, representation and leadership. It describes strategies to address the disparity between men and women, gender mainstreaming as a cross-cutting strategy, globalization, and women's mobilization strategies.

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Practitioner’s Guide to Designing Inclusive and Accountable Local Democratic Institutions

This guide is the first of its kind to provide an overview of the current range of local representative arrangements and electoral systems in Asia and the Pacific. This easy-to-use guide will assist country offices/teams and government partners as programmes are shaped to make local decision-making processes more inclusive and accountable to all citizens.

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Participation and Leadership in Latin America and the Caribbean: Gender Indicators

This report contains sections on the socio-political participation of women and provides statistical information on the evolution of applying gender equality policies.
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