Women’s representation in local governance: A case study on the effects of quota implementation in Colombo, Sri Lanka

Abstract: A qualitative case study set in Colombo, Sri Lanka focusing on women’s representation in local governance. The essay follows the aftermath of the country’s newly implemented electoral reform, which since 2018 resulted in a mixed- member-proportional electoral system with a gender quota. Throughout an extensive interview process with local politicians and experts alike, six barriers were identified – thus clarifying the link between descriptive and substantive representation, a theory based on Phillips’ politics of presence. The following barriers were analysed: patriarchy, economic dependence, political literacy, corruption, quota design and nomination process. The result showed modest substantial evidence that the quota system had been successful other than descriptively, with reports of substantive representation as process, but not outcome. The conclusion also underlines how country-specific context is a major determinant to what extent quota implementation addresses widespread structural inequalities and underrepresentation of minority groups. On the other hand, the quota has only been in place for four years and its effects cannot be fully evaluated.