Though numerous studies have examined the factors affecting women's entry into politics, sextortion, referred to as extortion of sexual favor, as a factor has received little attention in the women and politics literature. Focusing on each step toward parliament and district councils (the highest local authority) in Tanzania, this study examines the effects of sextortion on women's entry into politics. Drawing on interviews, we find that sextortion is common in each step toward parliamentary and district council seats, yet most prevalent in party nominations. Though also present, it is less prevalent in quota seat elections, which are administered by the parties' women's wings, than in non-quota seat elections. However, irrespective of the election types, sextortion hinders the recruitment of women to politics by undermining women's aspiration and decision to run for elective office.
