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theses

To investigate how the occurrence of high-intensity conflict affects the adoption of gender quotas, this study builds on different strands of research on conflict, peace processes, gender quota adoption, and female representation, and proposes a causal path linking high-intensity conflict to post-conflict gender quota adoption in developing countries post-1995 through distinct causal steps: gender relations change and women mobilize due to the conflict, peace negotiations provide a platform and open a window of opportunity, and women’s activists, relying on their gained experience and networks, finally push for gender quota adoption in the post-conflict period. Examining the typical case of Burundi and the deviant case of Liberia with process tracing, this study finds that the proposed causal mechanisms are mostly present and hold some explanatory value. However, the difference in outcome and a brief reference to two additional cases demonstrate that the mechanisms in the proposed causal path are neither necessary nor sufficient conditions. Instead, they constitute contributing factors making the outcome of gender quota adoption more likely, while equifinality and causal heterogeneity in this research area should be emphasized. The study furthermore identifies theoretical implications for existing research as well as potential research areas for future studies.

ETD_9662

M.A.

Includes bibliographical references

doi:10.7282/t3-7my3-qv80

ETD graduate

The author owns the copyright to this work.