Special seats for women in parliament and democratization: The case of Tanzania

SynopsisSince the reestablishment of multiparty rule in 1992, Tanzania has expanded the scope of the special-seat system for women in parliament by increasing the number of special seats for each forthcoming parliamentary election. The gradual increase in the number of women special seats has impacted on women's descriptive and substantive representation in parliament. This study examined the impact of the special-seat system on democratization in Tanzania. The study found that the increase in the number of female members of parliament (MPs) through the system has positively influenced the country's transition toward democracy, by broadening parliamentary discourse and contributing to the enactment of laws for women.