The Controversial Use of the Gender Quota in the 2021 Samoan General Election: A Personal Perspective – Part 1

Abstract

The first of this two-part In Brief series outlines the events that followed the 2021 Samoan general election and contextualises them in terms of gender norms in Samoa. Part 2 describes the gender quota that was passed by Samoa’s parliament in 2013 and used for the first time in the 2016 general election, as well as discusses its use (or misuse) in the aftermath of the 2021 general election.

Dr Mema Motusaga writes with experience as an advocate for women’s equality in all spaces. Her doctoral thesis, Women in Decision Making in Samoa, includes a detailed discussion of the introduction of temporary special measures that resulted in the introduction of a gender quota. This personal perspective does not necessarily reflect the views of her employer. Show more