INCREASING WOMENS REPRESENTATION VIA GENDER QUOTAS - THE ARGENTINE LEY-DE-CUPOS

The Argentine Ley de Cupos (Law of Quotas) is the singular example of a national law requiring all political parties to place a minimum quot a of women in electable positions on their party lists for the electio n of national deputies. The law represents an important and previously untried interim method in the worldwide struggle to achieve gender pa rity in legislative bodies. This article examines the electoral impact of the Ley de Cupos, discussing both its success in increasing the nu mber of women elected as well as some areas of concern. It concludes b y assessing the practical implications of the Argentine model for othe r nations considering a gender quota law.