60. A step forward to gender equality: Breaking the political glass ceiling at local level

Ribeiro, B. F. G., Rodrigues, M. Â., & Tejedo-Romero, F. (2025). A step forward to gender equality: Breaking the political glass ceiling at local level. Governance, 38(2). https://doi.org/10.1111/gove.12902This paper examines the factors that enable women to overcome the “glass ceiling” in local politics in Portugal. Despite the introduction of gender quotas in 2006 (33%) and their update in 2019 (40%), female representation at the municipal level often stabilizes around the legal threshold, especially in executive bodies. The study analyzes data from the 2009–2021 local elections across 308 municipalities, using panel data regressions to measure the probability of electing women beyond quota requirements. Findings highlight three main drivers. First, left-wing parties with voluntary quotas before the legal reform (such as PS and BE) are more likely to elect women, demonstrating historical institutionalism effects. Second, municipalities with prior experience electing female mayors show higher chances of surpassing thresholds, reducing voter bias. Third, competitive electoral environments push parties to diversify candidate lists, increasing female representation. Notably, the interaction of competitiveness and prior female leadership further amplifies women’s election prospects.