Institutionalizing Parity: The French Experience

Abstract

allowed women to become ministers more easily than they become members of parliament (they represent more than one-fourth of cabinet members). There is a striking discrepancy between the high level of economic responsibilities held by women and their absence in parliament. The 30 “glorious” years from 1945 to 1975, which brought tremendous changes in the lives of women (massive entry into economic activity, increasing wage-labour employment, especially in the services sector, higher schooling, legal emancipation, etc.), did not end women’s lack of electoral legitimacy. The difficulty electing a sizable presence of women in the assemblies produced the radical idea of parity, which eventually led to major institutional reforms aimed at promoting equal access for women and men to elective office. The case study first presents the specific historical and institutional context of France, then elaborates on the significance of the idea of parity and the controversies it has generated. It provides an overview of the broad lines of the reforms implemented, and an examination of their practical application during the 2001 municipal and senatorial elections, and later the 2002 legislative elections.

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