The lessons from the implementation of gender quotas in Polish parliamentary elections

Gender quotas for political party lists in elections at all levels have been legislated in Poland in 2011. The aim was to raise women’s descriptive representation at all levels. However, the rate of increase over almost a decade has been disappointing. This intervention explores the details of the implementation of the gender quota law in Poland and explores the effects of the different approaches that political parties take in implementing the gender quota law. Arguably, a simple numeric gender quota is not enough to significantly increase the level of women’s political representation in an Eastern European context.