Electoral Estrogen: The Rise of Female Representation in Mayoral Offices in Manabí (Ecuador) in 2023
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Abstract
This study analyzes the increase in female representation in the mayoral offices in the province of Manabí, Ecuador, following the 2023 elections. It seeks to define the concept of electoral estrogen by understanding the factors that contributed to the election of six female mayors in a region characterized by machismo, inequality, and gender-based violence.
The research is justified by the need to evaluate how gender equality policies, campaign strategies, and voter perception influenced these results. A mixed methodology was employed. It was qualitative, with media, social networks, and regulatory framework content analyses, and it was quantitative, through the review of electoral data and surveys on voting intentions and public perception.
The most relevant finding is the interaction of multiple factors in the election of women, including legislative changes, communication strategies, the management of intangibles such as reputation and trust, and a growing social awareness of gender equality. The concept of Electoral Estrogen was adopted to describe this phenomenon, understanding that female representation responds not only to gender quotas but also to cultural and political changes that favor female leadership.
Electoral Estrogen explores how specific conditions and strategies can contribute to women's success in challenging political environments. It also highlights the complex interaction between cultural, social, and political factors that can be mobilized to overcome systemic barriers and improve women's representation in politics. The elements described above comprise a robust framework that not only explains how traditional obstacles can be overcome but also how these successes can be replicated in other contexts.
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References
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