Article Metadata
Journal Section
Featured ArticlesArticle Title
Gender-Based Quotas, Parity, and Elections: An Empirical Study of the 2020 Legislative Municipal Elections in the State of São Paulo, Brazil
Journal Issue
Volume 32, 2025Abstract
This paper evaluates the gender-based quota law for candidates in legislative elections in Brazil, identifying challenges and barriers to the ultimate goal of increasing female elected officials. Beyond analyzing the policymaking process and the obstacles to implementing quotas, the study presents a quantitative analysis based on the 2020 municipal legislative elections in the state of São Paulo. It explores key demographic differences between male and female candidates, such as race, education, and marital status, and assesses their impact on electoral success. The findings reveal that, for female candidates, characteristics like being white, well-educated, and married significantly increased their likelihood of being elected, more so than for their male counterparts. These results underscore the persistent cultural and institutional barriers that women face in Brazilian politics, aligning with existing literature on gender norms and political participation worldwide. The paper also provides policy recommendations to strengthen the enforcement of gender quotas, improve financial support for female candidates, and build institutional capacity to enhance women’s political preparedness, aiming to foster long-term systemic change in Brazilian politics.