Evaluating the electoral gender quota : women\u27s substantive representation in Tanzania

This study measures the extent that increased women\u27s numerical (descriptive) representation has translated into women\u27s policy (substantive) representation in the Tanzania parliament. I aim to answer the following questions: Is there variation between how well female quota MPs and female constituency MPs represent women\u27s interests? Does the presence of either kind of female MP make a difference in public service provision and perception? To answer these questions, I determined the substantive power of quota women in Tanzania\u27s special seats as compared to women in constituency seats, and the substantive power of female MPs as one group as compared to male MPs. I used data from the Tanzania parliament and Afrobarometer to examine the provision of and satisfaction with public services. If female MPs are able to successfully represent women\u27s policy interests, we would expect to see an association between districts with female MPs and areas where there is better provision and higher satisfaction with these select public services. I found that districts with female MPs have slightly higher satisfaction with services that are particularly relevant to women; however, the actual provision of services is not necessarily better. This brings into question the effectiveness of Tanzania\u27s special-seats system in improving not only women\u27s descriptive but substantive representation, and whether this system helps or hurts women\u27s representation. Further research is needed to determine if the way women are viewed in society, or the level of their symbolic representation, has changed as more women have gained leadership roles in politics