Key Takeaways from the Workshop on Gender and Politics

Flipping the Gender Gap: Compulsory Voting and Gender Equality in Participation

Presented by Dawn Teele from Johns Hopkins University

Co-Authors are Anna Callis and Guadalupe Tuñón

Discussant was Catherine De Vries from Bocconi University

Dawn’s deep dive into Chile's compulsory voting illuminated its role in boosting women's electoral turnout. Alongside her co-authors, she showcases compelling evidence that women are responsive to electoral incentives. Remarkably, post mandatory registration implementation, women's participation in Chile's electoral process began to surpass men's. The study further reveals a correlation between the diminishing gender gap in turnout and urbanisation, female labour force involvement, and socio-economic class.

Family Matters: How Spouses and Children Shape Politicians’ Careers

Presented by Olle Folke from Uppsala University, and Johanna Rickne from Sofi, Stockholm

Co-authors are Moa Frödin

Discussant was Caroline Coly from Bocconi University

Studying local politicians in Sweden, Olle and his co-authors find that the female-male gender gap in advancement can be partially explained by differences in support provided by romantic partners. Parenthood also appears to impact politicians’ careers differently than the general population. Intriguingly, promotions amplified divorce rates for female politicians with no parallel effect on males, hinting at differential support & stress levels.

The Representation of Women-Related Issues in Politicians’ Discourse Over Social Media

Presented by Yael R. Kaplan from the University of Haifa

Discussant was Riccardo Puglisi from the University of Pavia

Yael’s research highlights how inclusive candidate selection methods can benefit women. Examining Israel's political landscape, her study reveals that candidates elected with inclusive methods (compared to exclusive methods) make more frequent direct references to issues women face on Facebook.

Anti-Feminist Backlash? Female Labor Market Participation and Gender Conservatism in Europe

Presented by Diane Bolet from the University of Zurich

Co-authors are Paola Rettl, Catherine De Vries, Simone Cremaschi, TarikAbou-Chadi, and Sergi Pardos-Prado

Discussant was Simone Scabrosetti from the University of Pavia

Diane’s research explores the dynamic between female labor participation & societal attitude. Delving into Switzerland and wider Europe, she uncovers how rising female labor market participation can impact the prevalence of conservative gender attitudes, particularly among men.

The Political Consequences of the Mental Load

Presented by Ana Catalano Weeks from the University of Bath

Discussant was Silvia Griselda from Bocconi University

Ana’s research presents a striking finding: women shoulder 40% more mental load (cognitive household tasks) than men – a gap twice as large as in physical household labor. Moreover, her research highlights a consequential side-effect: a high mental load correlates with diminished political interest among women. This insight prompts a reconsideration of the gender gap in political engagement.

The working paper can be found here.

When Women Take All: Direct Election and Female Leadership
Presented by Davide Cipullo from Università Cattolica Milan

Discussant was Carmela Accettura from University Carlos III, Madrid

Davide finds that direct elections notably boost the representation of female mayors in Italy. Further, these women leaders often step into roles previously held by undereducated incumbents, implying an upgrade in political competency.

The working paper can be found here.

Did Male and Female Leaders React Differently to the Pandemic Evidence from Public Finance

Presented by Giulia Savio from the University of Turin

Co-authors are Paola Profeta and Alda Marchese

Discussant was Simone Cremaschi from Bocconi University

Giulia’s research with her co-authors unravel how male and female local politicians in Italy reacted financially during the recent pandemic. They find that a spending convergence between male and female politicians, primarily at the cost of funds previously designated for childcare and schools by female leaders.