Political Party Quotas by Country: All Regions

National Liberation Front (FLN)

In each province, 2 out of the first 5 names on a list must be women in each of the 48 provinces.

Movement of Society for Peace (HMS)

The HMS aims to ensure that one-fifth of candidates at the regional level are women. In districts with small magnitudes, one of every three candidates should be a woman.

Justicialist Party (PJ)

PJ has a 35% quota for women on lists..

Radical Civic Union (UCR)

UCR has a 30% quota for women on lists (2000).

Front for a Country in Solidarity (FREPASO)

FREPASO has a 30% quota for women on lists. The party is not represented in parliament after the 2005 election.

Union of the Democratic Center (UCD)

UCD has a 30% quota for women on lists. The party is not represented in parliament after the 2005 election.

Self-determination and Freedom (AL)

AL has a 30% quota for women on lists. The party is not represented in parliament after the 2005 election.

Democratic Party (PD)

PD has a 30% quota for women on lists. The party is not represented in parliament after the 2005 election.

Broad Front (FG)

FG 30% quota for women on lists (1995). The party is not represented in parliament after the 2005 election.

Movement of Dignity and Independency (MODÍN)

MODÍN has a 30% quota for women on lists. The party is not represented in parliament after the 2005 election.

Movement of Integration and Development (MID)

MID has a 30% quota for women on lists (2001). The party is not represented in parliament after the 2005 election.

Socialist Party (PS)

PS has a 30% quota for women on lists (2002). The party is not represented in parliament after the 2005 election.

Shamiram Women's Party (SWP)

All women's party. 5 parties passed the 5% barrier to the National Assembly in the elections 1995. Shamiram was one of the five, with 20% and 8 seats. The party was not represented in 1999 and 2003.

Union for National Self-Determination (UNSD)

UNSD has a 20% quota. In 1995 UNSD passed the barrier to the National Assembly, and was represented by 7,5%, i.e. 3 members. The party was not represented in the parliament 1999 and 2003.

Australian Labor Party (ALP)

In 2002 the ALP introduced a 40% quota for party positions, union delegations and for pre-selection for public office and positions at a State and federal level, building on a 35% quota introduced in 1994.

The Greens-Green Alternative (GA)

GA has a 50% quota for women on party lists (1993).

Austrian People's party (ÖVP)

ÖVP has a 33.3% quota for women on party lists (1995).

Social Democratic Party of Austria (SPÖ)

SPÖ has a 40% quota for women on party lists (1985).

Socialist Party, Flemish (sp-a)

The sp-a is the former SP. In 2000 the SP party introdued a minumum of 1 candidate of each sex in 3 top positions and equal number of wo/men in first 10 positions on local and provincial lists.

Socialist Party, French (PS)

In PS party bodies there may not be a majority of 80% of either sex.

Green party (ECOLO)

In ECOLO lists, the top two positions must be held by a man and woman.

Flemish Greens (Groen)

In 1995 the party introduced a former quota to be applied on regional and community levels.

Flemish Liberals (VLD (Former PVV))

In 2000 the party introduced a minimum of 1 candidate of each sex in 3 top positions and equal number of wo/men on local and provincial lists.

Flemish Liberal Regionals (Spirit)

Former VU. In 2000 the VU party introduced a zipper principle for local and provincial lists.

Flemish Christian Democrats (CD&V (Former CVP))

In 1999 the party introduced a zipper lists system for all elections. The party has also introduced that 4 out of 10 of the top positions on local and provincial lists shall go to women.

Flemish Regionals (NVA)

Former VU. In 2000 the VU party introduced a zipper principle for local and provincial lists.

Movement without Fear (MSM)

MSM has a 50% quota for elected candidates. The party is not represented in parliament.

Social Democratic Party (SDP BiH)

The party has a 30% quota (2001).

Botswana Congress Party (BCP)

In 1999 the Botswana Congress Party introduced a 30% quota for women on electoral lists. The party has not always met this target.

Botswana National Front (BNF)

In 1999 the Botswana National Front introduced a 30% quota for women on electoral lists. The party has not always met this target.

Brazilian Workers Party (PT)

The party has introduced a 30% quota for women on the electoral lists and for internal positions.

Alliance for Democracy and Federation (ADF)

In 2002 the Alliance for Democracy and Federation introduced a 25% quota for women on electoral lists. The quota will be implemented in the next election.

Congress for Democracy and Progress (CDP)

In 2002 the Congress for Democracy and Progress introduced a 25% quota for women on electoral lists. The quota will be implemented in the next election.

Cameeroon People´s Democratic Movement (RDPC)

In 1996 the Cameeroon People´s Democratic Movment introduced a 25-30% quota for women on electoral lists.

Social Democratic Front (SDF)

SDF has adopted a 25% quota.

New Democratic Party (NDP)

In 1985 the NDP adopted a target of 50% women among its candidates at federal elections. It has also adopted (and is enforcing) a policy whereby, in each federal riding, at least one woman must be in the running at the nomination stage.

Liberal Party of Canada (LPC)

In 1993 the LPC set a target to elect 25% women.

Party for Democracy (PPD)

PPD has a 20% quota for women on party lists (1988). This regulation was changed recently to state that neither women nor men can have more than 60% of all candidatures. This provision is weakly enforced.

Socialist Party of Chile (PS)

The PS introduced a 20% quota that was raised to 30% for the 1997 and 1998 elections (after the 1996 party congress). It then changed to a 40-60% quota for both sexes beginning with elections in 1999. This provision is weakly enforced.

Christian Democratic Party (PDC)

PDC has a 20% quota for women. This provision is weakly enforced.

National Liberation Party (PLN)

PLN has a 40% quota for women.

Christian-Social Unity Party (PUSC)

PUSC has a 40% for women.

Citizen Action Party (PAC)

PAC has a 50% quota (for Chamber of Deputies)

Social Democratic Party (SDP)

In 1996 SDP introduced a voluntary party quota of 40%. In 2000 the party adopted a formal 40% quota for men and women on electoral lists, but no rank-order rules.

Movement of Social Democrats (KISOS)

KISOS has a 30% quota for women.

Social Democrats (ČSSD)

25% of those elected by the party must be women. If a local party organization has failed to nominate 25% women among its top candidates, then the Social Democratic Women's Organization has the right to nominate extra women.

Ivorian Public Front (FPI)

Since 2001 the Ivorian Public Front has a 30 percent quota for women at all levels of its structures, including electoral candidate lists. The quota has not always been put into practice.

Socialist People's Party (SF)

SF was the first party to introduce a 40% quota in 1977, abandoned in 1996. Candidate quotas for the European Parliament were adopted in 1983 (of 40%), and abandoned 1990. (Candidate quotas for parliament and local elections only 1988-1990.)

Social Democratic Party (SD)

SD adopted party quotas of 40% in 1983, and candidate quotas for local and regional elections in 1988 of 40% for both sexes. These were abandoned 1996.

Left Socialist Party (VS)

VS introduced party as well as candidate quotas in 1985 (50-50%). The party no longer exists.

Dominican Revolutionary Party (PRD)

PRD has a 25% quota for women (1994).

Ecuadorian Roldosist Party (PRE)

PRE has a 25% quota for women.

Party of the Democratic Left (ID)

ID has a 25% quota for women.

Peoples Democracy (DP)

DP has a 25% quota for women.

Social-Christian Party (PSC)

PSC has a 25% quota for women. The party is not represented in parliament.

Ecuadorian People's Revolutionary Action (APRE )

APRE has a 50% quota. The party is not represented in parliament.

National Liberation Front Farabundo Martí (FMLN)

FMLN has a 35% quota for women.

Social Democratic Convergence (CPDS)

Social Democratic Convergence has adopted a gender quota.

Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF)

Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front has a 30% party quota.

Socialist Party (PS)

The PS has a 50% quota for electoral lists (1990).

Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD)

SPD introduced a quota system in 1988. The target was 25% by 1990, 33% by 1994 and 40% by 1998. According to the 40% rule, it is required that the lists should be zipped, with the option of allocating every fifth place to someone of either sex.

The Left Party

Die Links has a 50% quota for women on party lists.

Alliance 90/The Greens

Alliance 90/The Greens has a 50% quota for women on party lists (1986).

Christian Democratic Union (CDU)

At least one-third (i.e. every third candidate) on an CDU electoral list must be women (1996). If this quota is not met, the internal elections for CDU delegates have to be repeated. The delegates are also candidates for elections on national level.

Pan-Hellenic Socialist Movement (PASOK)

PASOK has a 40% minimum quota for women on party lists (Socialist International Women).

Socialist Party (KONAKOM )

KONAKOM has a 25% quota for women.

Hungarian Socialist Party (MSzP)

MSzP has a 20% quota for women.

The Social Democratic Alliance (S)

At electoral lists, the main rule is to strive towards gender equality. In all elected bodies within the party, each sex should be represented with no less than 40 percent. If, among the candidates, one sex is represented by less than 40 percent, these candidates will be nominated without a vote.

Progressive Party (Centre Party)

When choosing candidates to all levels of the internal party structures and for electoral lists, each sex must be represented with at least 40 percent, unless for obvious and manifest impediments.

The Left-Green Movement (VG)

When candidates are chosen for positions at all levels in the party structure, as well as for electoral lists, gender equality shall be observed.

The Women's Party

An all women's party. The Party existed 1982-1999, and received up to 10 percent of the votes in parliament.

Indian National Congress (INC)

The INC has a 15% quota for women candidates.

The Workers Party (WP)

WP has a 40% quota for women on party lists (1991). The party is not represented in parliament.

Green Party

The party has a 40/60 gender balance among election candidates (1992). In order to qualify for 50% of the party funding within the Green Party, a 40/60 gender balance among election candidates must be attained.

Fine Gael

The party had a 33% target for women in local elections in the mid 1990's.

Labour Party

The Labour party previously had a 25% quota for women on party lists. In 2007 the party adopted a 30% quota for women regarding internal Party positions, for example to the National Executive Council which is the highest Party body. Party members have passed a motion to have 50% women candidates in the 2013 Local Elections. Labour has the highest percentage of women Members of the Parliament in Ireland (35%).

Sinn Fein

Sinn Fein has an internal party quota of 40% for women.

Fianna Fail: the Republican Party

In 2005 Fianna Fail adopted a 30% gender quota for internal party positions, with the target of selecting 1/3 female candidates for the next local elections (about 2008).

Israel Labor Party (ILP)

Since 1997, ILP has a 25% quota, to be increased gradually in order to reach 40% in 2015. Placement is decided ad hoc for each election.

Meretz-Yachad

Women should comprise 40% of party lists.

Likud

At least one woman must be among the top 10 after the primaries.

Green Federation

The party has a 50% quota for women on party lists.

Communist Refoundation Party (PRC)

PRC has a 40% quota for women on party lists.

Italian Popular Party (PPI)

PPI had a 20% quota for women on party lists. In 2002 the PPI merged with the DL party.

Democrats of the Left (DS)

DS has a 40% quota for women on party lists.

Italian Democratic Socialists (SDI)

SDI has a 66% maximum for both sexes and for party structures.

Democracy is Freedom (DL)

The party was formed in 2001. La Margherita has a 30% quota for internal positions.

Italian Communist Party (PdCI)

PdCI has a quota of 50% for internal positions.

Democratic Party (DP)

The Democratic Party has a policy of affirmative action that reserves one third of all seats for women (which has not always been put into practice).

Grand National Party (GNP)

GNP supports quotas of 30% for women candidates. (see Kim 2000)

The Women's Democratic Party of Kyrgyzstan

The Women's Democratic Party of Kyrgyzstan is an all women's party.

Social Democratic Party (LSDP)

SDP has a quota on at least one-third of either sex.

Christian Socialist People's Party (CSV)

The party is targeting a 33% quota for women on their party lists.

The Left

The party applies a 50% quota in the party body and on the electoral lists. The party is not represented in parliament.

Luxembourg Socialist Workers' Party (LSAP)

LSAP has adopted a quota for internal positions (about 33%). The target is parity.

The Green Party

The party seeks to apply parity in party bodies, positions and on lists.

Social Democratic Union of Macedonia (SDSM)

SDSM has a 30% quota for both genders.

United Democratic Front (UDF)

The UDF aims to have 25 percent of its parliamentary seats held by women, according to the party constitution.

Malawi Congress Party (MCP)

The MCP aims to allocate 33 percent of the seats to women at all levels of the party structure. Additionaly, according to the party Manifesto, MCP will "ensure that women occupy 30 per cent or more of all decision, policy and managerial positions in the government".

Alliance for Democracy in Mali (ADEMA - PASJ)

ADEMA - PASJ has a 30% quota.

Labour Party (MLP)

Quota provisions: The Labour Party has 20% quota for women on party lists.

Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI)

PRI has a 50% quota for women.

Party of Democratic Revolution (PRD)

PRD has a 30% quota for women.

Christian Democratic Party of Moldova (PPCD)

In 2004, prior to the parliamentary elections the Christian Democratic Party revised a "Resolution on the Promotion of Women in Politics" including a zipper system, altering a man or a woman on top of the list. The zipper system was meant to be applied throughout the whole list but did only reach number 20 out of 103 on the lists. However, the remaining candidates on the list reached an relatively equal balance of number between men and women. But was not altered. On a total, 52 of the 103 candidates from PPCD were women.

The Socialist Union of Popular Forces (USFP)

USFP has a 20% quota for party lists.

Front for the Liberation of Mozambique (FRELIMO)

Frelimo has adopted a quota system for election nomination lists and the presence of women in their party leadership. The party's policy requires that a third of the candidates (30%) should be women. In addition, the quota system was accompanied by a commitment to balance the distribution of men and women through the list.

Congress of Democrats (CoD)

In 1999 the Congress of Democrats (CoD) introduced a 50% quota for women on electoral lists.

South West Africa People's Organisation (SWAPO)

In 1997 the South West Africa People's Organisation (SWAPO) introduced a 50% quota for women on electoral lists.

Labour Party (PvdA)

PvdA has a 50% quota on party lists (1987).

Green Left (GL)

GL has quotas for women (percentage not confirmed).

Sandinista Front for National Liberation (FSLN)

FSLN has a 30% quota for women.

National Movement for a Society in Development (MNSD-NASSARA)

Prior to multiparty elections in the 1990s, the MNSD set aside 5 seats for women through the quota system adopted by the party.

Socialist Left Party (SV)

SV has a 40% quota for both sexes on electoral lists (1975). SV recommends the zipping system, i.e. alternating women and men on the electoral lists.

Norwegian Labour Party (DNA)

DNA has a minimum of 40% quota for both sexes (since 1983).

Centre Party (SP)

SP has a 40% quota for either sex (since 1989).

Christian People's Party (KrF)

KrF has a 40% quota for both sexes (since 1993).

Liberal Party (V)

V has a 40% quota.

National Republic Association (ANR)

ANR has a 20% quota for women.

Revolutionary Febrerista Party (PRF)

PRF has a 30% quota for women. The party is not represented in parliament.

Gabriela Women's Party

An all Women's party, representing 250 women's organisations. The paty got 3.7% of the votes in the 2004 national elections.

Philippines Democratic Socialist Party (PDSP)

PDSP has a 25% for women.

Democratic Left Alliance (SLD)

The SLD has a 30% quota, both internal and to candidate lists.

Labour Union (UP)

The UP has a 30% quota.

Freedom Union (UW)

The UW had a 30% quota. In 2005 the UW became Partię Demokratyczną.

Socialist Party (PS)

PS has a 33% quota for women on party lists, adopted 2004. Previous quota was 25%.

Social Democratic Party of Romania (PSDR)

The PSDR had a 25% quota for women on party lists. The party is now, since 2001, a member of the "Partidul Social Democrat" (PSD), the Social Democratic Party.

Democratic Party (PD)

The Dempcratic Party has adopted a 30% quota.

Social Democratic Party (PSD)

In 2001 PSDR (Romanian Social Democratic Party) and PDSR (Socialist Democratic Party of Romania) merged into a new political party; PSD. Prioor to the 2004 election PSD adopted a 30% gender quota.

Senegalese Liberal Party (PLS)

PLS has adopted a 33% quota.

Senegal Socialist Party (PSS)

In 1996 the Senegal Socialist Party adopted a 30% quota for women and a 20% quota for young people (under 35). Previously, the party used informal quotas at 25% for women since 1982.

Movement for Progress Party (MOP)

The MOP has a target of 50% candidates for election.

Communist Party of Slovakia (KSS)

One women among the eight first candidates. The party is not represented in parliament after the 2006 election.

Alliance of the New Citizen (ANO)

ANO has an informal 33% quota for women. The party is not represented in parliament after the 2006 election.

Party of the Democratic Left (SDL)

SDL had a 20% quota for women on party lists. The party merged with the social democratic SMER. SMER has no quota for women.

People's Party - Movement for a Democratic Slovakia (HZDS)

HZDS has a parity target.

Social Democrats (SD)

In 1992 the United List of Social Democrats introduced a firm 33% quota for both genders. In the 1996 election 42% of the party's candidates were women, but not even one of these got elected. The quota was changed from firm to soft in 1997, and the party has currently a 40% target. (In 2005 the party shortened it's name to Socialni Demokrati).

Liberal Democracy Party (LDS)

In 1990 the Liberal Democracy Party introduced a 30% quota, but did not follow up in the election. In 1994 the party adopted a firm quota for women on party lists for national elections. In 1998 the quota was changed to a gender neutral 25%, but is supposed to increase by 3 percentage points in every upcoming election until it reaches 40%. The Liberal Democracy Party has also implemented a 33% quota for both sexes on the party lists for local elections, but the requirement is looser as the provision says that the party shall ensure this share as a rule.

African National Congress (ANC)

In South Africa's first democratic election in 1994, the African National Congress (ANC) adopted a 30% quota for women on political party lists. As a result, the representation of women increased from below 3% to 27% in one election in 1994. In the 1999 election, women were placed in every third position on the national party list. At the local level (with a mixed electoral system) the ANC has adopted a 50% quota for women on party lists.

Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE)

PSOE has a 40% quota for either sex (1997). The quota was first introduced in 1988 (25%).

United Left (IU )

IU has a 40% quota for either sex (1997). The quota was first introduced in 1989 (25%).

Socialist Party of Catalonia (PSC)

PSC has a 40% quota for either sex (2000). The quota was first introduced in 1982 (12%) and enlarged in 1987 (15%), 1990 (25%) and 1996 (30%).

Initiative for Catalonia- Green (ICV )

ICV has a 40% quota for either sex (2002). The quota was first introduced in 1991 (30%).

Republican Left of Catalonia (ERC )

ERC has a 40% quota for either sex (2004).

Nationalist Galician Block (BNG )

Quotas was approved by BNG in 2002 (40% quota for either sex).

Canarian Coalition (CC )

Quotas was approved by CC in 2000 (40% quota for either sex).

Swedish Social Democratic Labour Party (SAP)

SAP has a 50% quota for women on party lists with a zipper system (alternating men and women) (1993).

Left Party (V)

According to the statutes of the party "At least thirty percent (30%) of all leadership positions at every organizational level shall be reserved for women." (2009) VP has a 50% minimum quota for women on party lists (1987).

Green Party of Sweden (MP)

The party has a 50% quota for women on party lists (1987). Internal quotas (1981).

Social Democratic Party of Switzerland (SPS/PSS)

The party has a 40% quota for women on party lists.

The Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT)

KMT has a 25% quota for women to parliament (2000).

The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP)

DPP has a 25% quota for women for the nomination of election candidates (1996).

Democrat Party (DP)

The Democrat Party has a target of 30% women candidates for election

Democratic Constitutional Rally (RCD)

The ruling Democratic Constitutional Rally (RCD) party earmarked 38 of the 152 parliament seats (25%) for female candidates in the October 24 election 2004.

Liberal Democrats

In 2001 the Liberal Democrats adopted a 40% target of women candidates, and at the same time rejected all-women shortlists. Prior to the 2005 elections, the party placed women in 40% of the "winnable seats". The Liberal Democrats implemented a "zipping" system on their candidate lists for the European election in 1999 which were conducted using List-PR, but did not use the zipping system in the European Parliament election of 2002.

Labour Party

The Labour Party's introduction of all-female shortlists for 50% of vacant and winnable seats (1992) was overturned by an Industrial Tribunal in January 1996, which ruled in favor of rejected male candidates that the policy was against the "Sex Discrimination Act" of 1975. For the 1997 General Election the Labour Party ring-fenced 50% of their winnable seats for female candidate-only shortlists. Subsequent to the 2001 General Election, the Parliament passed the Sex Discrimination (Election Candidates) Act , which allows political parties to use positive action to get more women into elected positions, should they wish to do so, without infringing employment law. This would allow the Labour Party to return to its pre-1996 policy. In the 2005 elections Labour reintroduced all-women shortlists in 30 "safe" constituencies, i.e. seats the party expected to win, but not all of these were won. For the first elections to the Scottish Parliament and National Assembly for Wales in 1999, the Labour Party used a system of selecting their candidates by "twinning" neighbouring seats. The "winnability" of the seats was taken into account, so that each pair would select one man and one woman. Under this twinning system, the members of the two constituencies come together for the purposes of selecting candidates. Party members have two votes - one for a woman and one for a man. The man and woman with the most votes is selected.

Socialist Party of Uruguay (PS)

In the 1980's PS adopted a quota for women. The quota is dependent upon the percentage of women members of the Party in each jurisdiction. (Statutes 2003, Art. 65)

Democratic Action (AD)

AD has a 30% quota for women. The party is not represented in parliament.

Movement towards Socialism (MAS)

MAS has a 30% quota for women. The party is not represented in parliament.

Zimbabwe African National Union Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF)

ZANU-PF party to field 30 female candidates in 2005 parliamentary elections