Work

No More Simultaneous Chess: Understanding Dropout of Local-Level Women Politicians in Gendered Institutions

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: Women politicians drop out of politics more often and earlier than men, but we have not yet captured why. Building on feminist institutionalism and through interviews with local Dutch politicians that dropped out before the end of their term, this study aims to generate quality narratives to show why and how women local politicians drop out of politics. I take into account their other life spheres, beyond political work. The women politicians I interviewed resist the gendered nature of the local council on several dimensions. All these dimensions are gendered and come at an increased workload for women specifically. I demonstrate that women drop out when changes occur in any of their life spheres, no longer being able to ‘play simultaneous chess’. I conclude that these women dropped out not for political reasons necessarily, but because they cannot continue to combine their deeply personal political lives.

Source: DiGeSt Journal of Diversity and Gender Studies

DOI: 10.21825/digest.89668

Author: Zahra Runderkamp

Institution: University of Amsterdam

Language: English

Topic: Gender Politics and Representation

Subfield: Gender Studies

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Gender equality, Peace, justice, and strong institutions

Open Access status: diamond

Funder: Ministerie van Binnenlandse Zaken en Koninkrijksrelaties