“A Fly in the Ointment”: The Barriers to Portuguese Female Political Participation

The latest data from the Gender Equality Index ranks Portugal 10th in female political power. Despite a larger female resident population, parity in access to power and decision-making remains limited. Research on local political power reveals low female representation within parties and a lack of m...

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Main Authors: Carla Cerqueira, Sónia Lamy, Diana Choi Loureiro
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-11-01
Series:Social Sciences
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0760/13/11/619
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author Carla Cerqueira
Sónia Lamy
Diana Choi Loureiro
author_facet Carla Cerqueira
Sónia Lamy
Diana Choi Loureiro
author_sort Carla Cerqueira
collection DOAJ
description The latest data from the Gender Equality Index ranks Portugal 10th in female political power. Despite a larger female resident population, parity in access to power and decision-making remains limited. Research on local political power reveals low female representation within parties and a lack of motivation to recruit or affiliate women. This study utilizes thematic analysis eight interviews with women in political leadership positions to identify barriers to female political participation in the Portuguese context. Key questions addressed include the following: How do media representation, role models, stereotypes, and cultural norms impact the political arena? Is it the lack of representation that deters women, or does the political environment alienate them? The analysis explores how media portrayal, stereotypes, double standards, scrutiny, and cultural norms interconnect, perpetuating the political arena as a male-dominated space, thereby marginalizing women politicians.
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spelling doaj-art-ab42c1e07bc74a45b90dc34f5c6d073e2025-08-20T01:53:58ZengMDPI AGSocial Sciences2076-07602024-11-01131161910.3390/socsci13110619“A Fly in the Ointment”: The Barriers to Portuguese Female Political ParticipationCarla Cerqueira0Sónia Lamy1Diana Choi Loureiro2CICANT—Porto University Center, Lusófona University, R. de Augusto Rosa 24, 4000-098 Porto, PortugalCICANT—Lisbon University Center, Lusófona University, Campo Grande 376, 1749-024 Lisbon, PortugalCICANT—Porto University Center, Lusófona University, R. de Augusto Rosa 24, 4000-098 Porto, PortugalThe latest data from the Gender Equality Index ranks Portugal 10th in female political power. Despite a larger female resident population, parity in access to power and decision-making remains limited. Research on local political power reveals low female representation within parties and a lack of motivation to recruit or affiliate women. This study utilizes thematic analysis eight interviews with women in political leadership positions to identify barriers to female political participation in the Portuguese context. Key questions addressed include the following: How do media representation, role models, stereotypes, and cultural norms impact the political arena? Is it the lack of representation that deters women, or does the political environment alienate them? The analysis explores how media portrayal, stereotypes, double standards, scrutiny, and cultural norms interconnect, perpetuating the political arena as a male-dominated space, thereby marginalizing women politicians.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0760/13/11/619female political participationsystemic barriersgender imbalancePortugal
spellingShingle Carla Cerqueira
Sónia Lamy
Diana Choi Loureiro
“A Fly in the Ointment”: The Barriers to Portuguese Female Political Participation
Social Sciences
female political participation
systemic barriers
gender imbalance
Portugal
title “A Fly in the Ointment”: The Barriers to Portuguese Female Political Participation
title_full “A Fly in the Ointment”: The Barriers to Portuguese Female Political Participation
title_fullStr “A Fly in the Ointment”: The Barriers to Portuguese Female Political Participation
title_full_unstemmed “A Fly in the Ointment”: The Barriers to Portuguese Female Political Participation
title_short “A Fly in the Ointment”: The Barriers to Portuguese Female Political Participation
title_sort a fly in the ointment the barriers to portuguese female political participation
topic female political participation
systemic barriers
gender imbalance
Portugal
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0760/13/11/619
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