Implementing Special Measures for Political Representation and Gender in Sweden

Abstract

Sweden is often characterized as a “pioneer” with regard to women’s descriptive representation in politics. Equal representation of women and men in politics was achieved in the national parliament of Sweden by 1994, a time when the international average in elected bodies at the national level had barely passed the threshold of 10% women. The current parliament, elected in 2018, consists of 46% women and 54% men and almost all of the political parties in parliament, to the left as well as to the right on the left–right ideological continuum, embrace the ideal of gender balance in decision-making bodies. Even in the populist Sweden Democrats, the proportion of elected women has increased. Sweden, at least at first glance, seems to be an exception to the rule that politics – and decision-making in general – is a man’s game. This chapter examines the implementation of policies to achieve gender balance in politics in Sweden. While no legislative gender quotas have been adopted in Sweden, the focus is directed towards other measures, including party quotas, targets and objectives. The chapter draws on feminist institutionalism and is based on official documents and interviews.