Countries applying proportional representation systems tend to
have a higher proportion of women in their parliaments than those with majority
or plurality systems. This is due to the fact that in proportional systems the
electoral formula normally leads to more parties represented in the legislature
and fewer wasted seats, which offers parties greater incentives to present more
plural and diverse lists of candidates, probably including more women among
them.[1] In
spite of this tendency that often favors a higher number of women in
proportional representation systems, it is also possible to have a relatively
high representation of women elected in majority systems, as shown by the case
of the United Kingdom, with 32 percent of women in the lower chamber of
parliament. Other relevant cases are Ethiopia (38.8 percent) and Grenada (46.7
percent), which are both majority systems without gender quotas and have a high
representation of women in parliament.[2]
[1] International IDEA,
Inter-Parliamentary Union and Stockholm University (2013): op. cit., p. 22.
