Research on the Effect of Rwanda Gender Quotas on Political Representation and Optimizing Strategy

International Relation, Beijing Foreign Studies University, 100089, Beijing, China

^* Corresponding author: 202120116137@bfsu.edu.cn

Abstract

This essay examines the effect of Rwanda's gender quotas on political representation, especially in the Rwandan government, and proposes a few optimizing strategies for it to develop. Rwanda is a developing and post-genocide country in Sub-Saharan Africa, in which the average progress in gender equality is low. However, Rwanda outstands and ranks exceptionally high in gender equality, which largely depends on its gender quotas. Therefore, it is valuable to look at this country, which shows great controversy at the regional level. This essay mainly relies on the Literature Research Method, including the use of academic articles, reliable websites, and news reports to conduct the research. It is concluded that the effect on substantive and descriptive women's political representation of the Rwanda gender quota is quite complex and needs improvement. Utilizing party/ legislative gender quotas with rank order or switching the gender quotas to men are two feasible suggestions for Rwandan gender quotas. Through this study, a more critical perspective on gender quotas could be gained. Also, it inspires more thoughts on how gender quotas in post-genocide developing countries could survive and thrive.