Gender Quotas & Backlash : A Synthetic Control Analysis of the Effect of Gender Quota Implementation on Political Violence against Women

Gender quotas have become increasingly common and are seen as an important way to fast-track women into politics. At the same time, women in politics are more often facing gendered forms of political violence. A growing body of research has found evidence that gender equality improvements may result in adverse effects, such as increases in violence against women. This study analysed whether the implementation of political gender quotas influences levels of political violence targeting women (PVTW). Through integrated threat theory, it is theorized that the implementation of gender quotas may cause an increase in perceived threat among men, affecting their attitudes and increasing prejudice towards women, and ultimately leading to an increase in PVTW. The effect of quota implementation on PVTW is studied for the case of Zimbabwe through a synthetic control analysis and a qualitative case study. Contrary to expectations, the analysis showed that gender quota implementation did not cause an increase in PVTW in Zimbabwe. These results show promise for future gender quota implementation, but further research is required on the different ways backlash takes place and the conditions under which it occurs.