Domestic legal frameworks establish the rules of the game in the electoral process. Constitutions, electoral laws and other relevant legislation, peace agreements in post-conflict settings, EMBs’ regulations and codes of conduct have a great impact on women’s political participation and representation. The United Nations 2005 publication “Women and elections: Guide to promoting the participation of women in elections” gives account of the impact of legal frameworks on the participation of women in practice.[1]

For more information on this issue, please see the ACE Project topic area on Legal Framework.