Competence, Gender Inequality and Affirmative Action Measures: A "Natural" or a "Competence" Issue?

Abstract

Women’s political under-representation is still a reality (Inter-Parliamentary Union, 2008) and the literature has pointed out several factors to explain the origin of the gender inequality in this context. Affirmative action measures have been implemented in order to promote equality. However, these measures have generated great controversy, being accused of unfairness for violating the merit principle. Following a previous research (Santos, 2004), this study aims at: confirming the genderization of non-politicians’ representations of politicians’ activity,  through its association to the male sphere; understanding how those individuals perceive gender inequality in politics; and knowing what those individuals think about of the measures aimed at reducing this inequality. Among the factors/obstacles identified, we highlight the discourses around the "naturalization" of History and the merit genderization which mainly limited to personality traits seldom associated with the female stereotype.

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.17575/rpsicol.v24i1.299