Increasing women's representation via gender quotas: The Argentine Ley de Cupos

The Argentine Ley de Cupos (Law of Quotas) is the singular example of a national law requiring all political parties to place a minimum quota of women in electable positions on their party lists for the election of national deputies. The law represents an important and previously untried interim method in the worldwide struggle to achieve gender parity in legislative bodies. This article examines the electoral impact of the Ley de Cupos, discussing both its success in increasing the number of women elected as well as some areas of concern. It concludes by assessing the practical implications of the Argentine model for other nations considering a gender quota law.