Women and Elections

Richelle Sosa Saldana

Professor Castillo

Political Science 4240

November 6, 2016

Women and Elections

It has been an arduous uphill battle for women in Latin America, as they fight against inequality, injustice and political exclusion. Progress has been made, however, the fight is not over. As voting patterns and political behavior is analyzed it is obvious that the gender gap also translates into a political gender gap, which shapes behavior in women. It begs the question does gender shape women’s voting behavior? Studies say that women from the developing world follow “traditional gender gaps”, which means women shift towards a more conservative approach and they tend to be less engaged in politics. In the past years this pattern has begun to shift in places such as Europe and the United States into a “modern gap”, partly due to the decline of religion, shift in values and women’s increasing independence. Which can cause a ripple effect that can also reach Latin America.

An individual’s vote depends on “individual level-factors” developed in childhood and adulthood. For women that doesn’t only mean personal development and their current environment but how autonomous females actually are in all aspects. Women have been trying to push down barriers for years such as the ones they face in the employment field due to conservative views on motherhood and women’s roles. So if female autonomy is promoted in their work place, homes, education, etc., it could generate a shift into more modern gender gaps. Which will shift a lot of the current behavior and expectations. This can even affect a nation’s voting pattern.

If women finally achieve full genuine equal status politically women’s voice would be heard, it would bring a new player into the political game. Since women’s needs and interests are not actively sought by leaders in Latin America. Women’s voices can change the political arena as they become more politically engaged.