Justifying and Criticizing the Allocation of Gender-based Quotas for Women from the Perspective of Parliamentary Election Rights; Comparative Study

In some countries, in parliamentary election rights a quota mechanism is provided to increase the role of women's political participation. This is done to ensure the increase in women eligibility in the parliamentary election process. The fundamental question discusses how these quotas are formed in the constitutions of countries and how the provision of gender-based quotas for women is legally justified. It also addresses the points that can be criticized. Applying an analytical-descriptive method, this study, in a comparative approach, discusses and evaluates attitudes of both proponents and opponents on gender-based quotas and the way parliamentary seats are distributed to women in different electoral systems. In short, from the point of view of opposing attitudes, these quotas are contrary to the principle of equality, party rights, democracy and meritocracy. Support for women's political participation, positive discrimination, and human rights also reflect the advocates' point of view. The basic premise of this article, answering the main question, is that despite opposing approaches, gender-based quotas are now accepted in the constitutions of many countries to ensure women's political participation.