Women's Political Representation at the Subnational Level in Uruguay: an Analysis of Departmental Boards (1938-2020)

Article

Abstract

Despite Uruguay’s well-established democratic stability and its early adoption of women’s suffrage in national elections in 1932, women remain underrepresented in political decision-making. This article analyzes the composition of the Departmental Boards (Juntas Departamentales) across Uruguay’s 19 departments between 1938 and 2020. Using statistical programming tools, we constructed a historical dataset identifying the gender of legislators based on their first names, with manual revisions to address uncertain cases. The study examines general trends as well as the impact of key events such as the dictatorship (1973–1985), the 1996 electoral reform, and the 2009 Gender Quota Law. Findings reveal a delayed and uneven incorporation of women into these legislative bodies, with significant regional and partisan disparities. This research aims to contribute empirical evidence to ongoing discussions about gender equity in subnational political power in Uruguay.