Does electing more women lead to less corruption?

By Chandan K Jha & Sudipta Sarangi

A possible and necessary change

Marie Curie and her husband received the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1903. She was the first woman to win this award. She was considered a collaborator of Pierre Curie, her husband, and was not paid. She obtained her first paid position after the Nobel Prize. She won the Chemistry Prize eight years later, becoming the only person to win both in these sciences. Marie Curie was discriminated against for many years of her life for being born a woman. But in that century, the 20th, a revolutionary movement began that would culminate in the 21st. This will be the century of women. Vanguardia Dossier dedicates this monograph to her.

For the first time, leaders from 193 countries have committed to ending gender inequality in all its forms by 2030 (Klugman) . This global agreement would not have been achieved without the work of several generations of women around the world who have laid the groundwork for a landscape where change is possible (Mahdavi) . #MeToo did not emerge in a vacuum .

193 countries have committed to ending gender inequality

But there is still a long way to go and obstacles to overcome. The establishment of quotas in the final years of the 20th century has increased the number of women parliamentarians worldwide (Kumar/Sarangi) , but it will take time for female participation in political leadership positions to truly increase (Teele) . Women propelled the Democratic Party to victory in the US midterm elections last year (O'Connor), have tripled their representation in Africa (Tripp), are dominating the political scene in Latin America (Piscopo), and are seeking support from their families and a change in gender roles at home to begin dreaming of becoming politically active in the Muslim Arab world (Geha). In Asia, where more and more women are choosing an independent lifestyle and prioritizing their professional careers, they have contributed to the region's economic growth (Moon/Murakami).

They seek support from their family and a change in gender roles at home.

Spain has one of the most gender-equal parliaments in the European Union (EU), but this reality is not reflected in women's participation in the labor market (Gálvez) , something that contrasts with their academic training. The Europe 2020 strategy aims to increase female participation in the labor market to 75% (Mushaben) in the Old Continent , where they still earn 16.2% less than men. The wage gap, precariousness, and unemployment are everywhere (Maruani) , as is the asymmetry in the distribution of household chores (D'Alessandro) . Now, we must prevent artificial intelligence from incorporating patterns based on gender, ethnicity, or race (Ratcheva).

Since it has been proven that greater women's participation in politics leads to less corruption and that their incorporation into the workforce increases GDP, change is not only possible, it is also necessary.

Europe 2020 aims to increase female participation to 75%.

SUMMARY

* 21st Century Promises for Women by Jeni Klugman

Progress for women seems to increase every day. However, when analyzing each area, it is clear that gender gaps persist: in salary, type of work, unpaid tasks and care work. Economic empowerment is yet to be achieved, with all the implications it would have for the prosperity of all countries.

* THE GENDER GAP IN THE WORLD

* Roots and Branches: What Now, #MeToo? by Pardis Mahdavi

The networks and interconnectedness of feminist movements explain the rapid international spread of the #MeToo movement, but it would be wrong to view it as a single event. Rather, it is the culmination of similar movements spread across the globe.

* A Century of Women in Politics by Dawn Langan Teele

A review of the history of women's suffrage reveals the various methods used to achieve it, varying in scope. However, women have subsequently been unable to establish "influential" parties in politics, and their influence in decision-making positions remains insufficient.

* Does the election of more female politicians reduce corruption? by Chandan Kumar Jha and Sudipta Sarangi

Several studies show that women are more altruistic and cooperative, more risk-averse and less trusting, and are less likely to be corrupt when they hold parliamentary office. When they reach positions of power, their policies invest more resources in health and education.

* The Growing Importance of Women to the Democratic Party by Karen O'Connor

The low presence of women in politics is evident in the U.S., even in the Democratic Party, which has often displayed gender bias and should increase its number of candidates at all levels of government, with the ultimate goal of winning the next election.

* AMERICA

* Gendering the European Union by Joyce Marie Mushaben

European equality legislation has gone from "soft" to "hard" and has forced many states to pass laws against workplace discrimination, sexual harassment, and domestic violence.

* Spain from a gender perspective by Lina Gálvez

The Francoist legacy, so restrictive of women's rights, has been difficult to overcome. Disparities, gender violence, and a macho culture persist. In terms of education, women already outperform men in many areas, but this doesn't translate into the workplace.

* Women's Political Participation in East Asia by Katharine H.S. Moon and Megumi Murakami

The economic and technological progress of the major East Asian countries has not been matched by progress in gender equality. China, for example, following the advances of communism, is regressing in women's rights and political participation under Xi Jinping.

* ASIA AND OCEANIA

* Women and Power in Africa Today by Aili Mari Tripp

African women lost power during the colonial period, but after the conflicts of the 1990s, they regained it by presenting themselves as non-violent options. Islam and Christianity make no difference: in both contexts, women parliamentarians account for around 20%.

* AFRICA AND THE MIDDLE EAST

* The (non)political representation of women in the Arab world by Carmen Geha

In a deeply restrictive environment for women, where rape, domestic violence, and sexual harassment are not criminalized, some women manage to enter politics. The keys are the support of extended family, their own convictions, and open institutions.

* The Growing Leadership of Women in Latin America by Jennifer M. Piscopo Some women have reached the political summit in Latin America. It all began with the gender quotas proposed by UN conferences at the end of the last century, but inequality, sexism, double standards, and even gender-based violence remain.

* World of Work: Women Everywhere, Equality Nowhere by Margaret Maruani

Inequality is particularly noticeable in the workplace, both in terms of access—women tend to work primarily in caregiving or domestic work—and within the workforce—the lowest-paid sectors. The number of women in management positions has increased, but even more so in unskilled jobs.

* The Care Economy: Who Cares and Who Cooks Dinner as a Social Problem by Mercedes D'Alessandro

Today, 7 out of 10 women go out to work, but they still bear the brunt of domestic and care work, which is measurable. In Latin America, for example, they shoulder 76% of it.

* PHOTOCHRONOLOGY: A CENTURY OF PROGRESS

* Integrating gender parity into artificial intelligence by Vesselina Ratcheva

AI relies on data collection, which can harbor, and does harbor, gender biases, in addition to racial or ethnic biases. Current inequality, therefore, could be replicated in the future if systems are not corrected with social commitment and true impartiality.