Barriers to Women’s Political Participation and the Gender Gap in Climate Attitudes

Women’s political underrepresentation in corrupt contexts driven by barriers, not bias

Researchers recently explored why many democracies with high levels of corruption also experience low levels of women’s political participation. In Ukraine, there was little evidence of direct voter bias against women; voters were equally likely to support women and men candidates who said they would fight corruption. Instead, the research suggests that women’s political underrepresentation is driven by barriers that prevent women from winning party nominations and running for office in the first place, such as breaking into old party networks and balancing family and professional obligations. This research demonstrates the need for reforms that address the role institutions and parties play in blocking (or empowering) women from running for office.

Gender gap in climate concern disappears in poorer countries

While existing research has found that women care more about climate change than men in industrialized democracies, a recent analysis of existing climate opinion surveys finds that a similar gender gap does not exist in poorer countries. The study found that both men and women in poorer countries perceive fewer costs to climate mitigation, with men in poorer countries expressing significantly more concern about climate change than those in wealthier countries. Given the strong correlation between economic development and the gender gap in climate concern, this study highlights existing opportunities for climate action in developing economies as well as the barriers to climate action as economic development increases.

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