TR
EN
Women’s Political Representation: A Comparative Analysis of Gender Equality Policies in Rwanda and New Zealand
Abstract
This study examines how the quantitative increase of women in parliament contributes to gender equality policies and qualitative representation, focusing on the cases of Rwanda and New Zealand. By evaluating constitutional developments and practical challenges over time, it explores the role of democracy in enhancing women’s representation. Covering the period from the 1990s to the present, the analysis considers the distinct social and administrative structures of both countries. The findings indicate that women’s numerical presence alone is insufficient, as qualitative representation requires supportive democratic elements. While democracy in New Zealand has strengthened substantive representation in the long term, Rwanda’s increased female representation under the guise of “democracy” has been constrained by authoritarian practices. The study thus concludes that descriptive representation does not always ensure substantive representation, highlighting the regime type as a decisive factor.
Keywords
Ethical Statement
In this research article, ethics committee permission was not required as the data were not obtained using survey or interview techniques.
References
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- Bauer, G., & Burnet, J. E. (2013). Gender quotas, democracy, and women’s representation in Africa: Some insights from democratic Botswana and autocratic Rwanda. Women’s Studies International Forum, 41, 103-112. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wsif.2013.05.012
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- Busari, S. (2017, August 4). Fake nude photos were used to ‘silence me’, disqualified Rwandan candidate says. CNN. https://edition.cnn.com/2017/08/04/africa/rwanda-election-nude-photos-candidate
- Celis, K., & Childs, S. (2008). Introduction: The descriptive and substantive representation of women: New directions. Parliamentary Affairs, 61(3), 419-425. https://doi.org/10.1093/pa/gsn006
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Details
Primary Language
English
Subjects
Gender and Politics
Journal Section
Research Article
Publication Date
May 31, 2026
Submission Date
February 5, 2026
Acceptance Date
April 8, 2026
Published in Issue
Year 2026 Number: 19
APA
Akal Türk, B., & Dinçer, P. (2026). Women’s Political Representation: A Comparative Analysis of Gender Equality Policies in Rwanda and New Zealand. İmgelem, 19, 143-168. https://doi.org/10.53791/imgelem.1882154
AMA
1.Akal Türk B, Dinçer P. Women’s Political Representation: A Comparative Analysis of Gender Equality Policies in Rwanda and New Zealand. İMGELEM. 2026;(19):143-168. doi:10.53791/imgelem.1882154
Chicago
Akal Türk, Başak, and Pelin Dinçer. 2026. “Women’s Political Representation: A Comparative Analysis of Gender Equality Policies in Rwanda and New Zealand”. İmgelem, nos. 19: 143-68. https://doi.org/10.53791/imgelem.1882154.
EndNote
Akal Türk B, Dinçer P (May 1, 2026) Women’s Political Representation: A Comparative Analysis of Gender Equality Policies in Rwanda and New Zealand. İmgelem 19 143–168.
IEEE
[1]B. Akal Türk and P. Dinçer, “Women’s Political Representation: A Comparative Analysis of Gender Equality Policies in Rwanda and New Zealand”, İMGELEM, no. 19, pp. 143–168, May 2026, doi: 10.53791/imgelem.1882154.
ISNAD
Akal Türk, Başak - Dinçer, Pelin. “Women’s Political Representation: A Comparative Analysis of Gender Equality Policies in Rwanda and New Zealand”. İmgelem. 19 (May 1, 2026): 143-168. https://doi.org/10.53791/imgelem.1882154.
JAMA
1.Akal Türk B, Dinçer P. Women’s Political Representation: A Comparative Analysis of Gender Equality Policies in Rwanda and New Zealand. İMGELEM. 2026;:143–168.
MLA
Akal Türk, Başak, and Pelin Dinçer. “Women’s Political Representation: A Comparative Analysis of Gender Equality Policies in Rwanda and New Zealand”. İmgelem, no. 19, May 2026, pp. 143-68, doi:10.53791/imgelem.1882154.
Vancouver
1.Başak Akal Türk, Pelin Dinçer. Women’s Political Representation: A Comparative Analysis of Gender Equality Policies in Rwanda and New Zealand. İMGELEM. 2026 May 1;(19):143-68. doi:10.53791/imgelem.1882154