Why should the double quota system be revised? The impact of electoral changes on gender representation in decision-making and the need for a new phase of reform

The policy note reflects the impact of electoral changes on gender representation in decision-making and the need for a new phase of reform. Consequently, the evolution of women’s representation in Moldova’s elected bodies demonstrates that the progress made over the last decade is not the result of spontaneous changes in electoral behaviour, but the direct effect of deliberate legislative interventions. The introduction and consolidation of the double quota system have functioned as an essential corrective mechanism, transforming the principle of gender equality from a declarative norm into an effective tool for rebalancing representation in the decision-making process.

The document is structured into seven chapters that provide a comprehensive analysis of the double quota system and gender representation. It examines the evolution of legislation on the double quota system, its impact on equitable gender representation, as well as the limitations and gaps in its implementation. The document also includes a set of recommendations, analyzes gender representation in government, and presents both international experience in promoting women’s representation in governments and broader global practices in advancing gender-balanced representation in political life.

The study was conducted by the Partnership for Development Center, with the support of UNDP Moldova, in partnership with UN Women Moldova, and funded by Norway, Sweden, and Denmark.