Gender-Based Tenure Barriers in Parliament: An Insider Perspective - The Case of the Knesset

In the past two decades, as the number of women serving in political office has increased in many democratic countries, a new branch of research has emerged. This research focuses on examining the characteristics of the gender gap within parliamentary institutions and the tenure barriers faced by women parliamentarians. This paper aims to describe and analyze six major gender-based tenure barriers from the perspective of serving female parliamentarians, addressing two key research questions: First, how are these gender-based tenure barriers perceived by female parliamentarians? Second, what coping strategies do female parliamentarians employ to address these barriers? The research is a qualitative study conducted in the Israeli parliament (the Knesset) during 2020-2021. The findings reveal a complex network of six gender-based tenure barriers that require ongoing navigation and management by female Knesset members. The research categorizes these barriers into two distinct types: 1. Parliamentary Barriers: These barriers manifest within the parliamentary workplace itself. Female Knesset members report that they are relatively successful in confronting and overcoming these internal institutional challenges. 2. Political Barriers: In contrast, these barriers emerge within political parties, professional networks, and media landscapes. Female Knesset members describe these as more significant challenges that substantially impact their ability to perform their roles effectively. For some, these barriers can be so profound that they potentially limit the possibility of securing another term in office.