Gender Quotas Database
Moldova, Republic of
Eastern Europe
Single / Lower House
Parlament / Parliament
| Total seats | 101 |
| Total women | 40 |
| Percentage of women | 40% |
| Election year | 2021 |
| Electoral system | List PR |
| Quota type | Legislated Candidate Quotas |
| Election details | IDEA Voter Turnout - IPU Parline |
| Legal source | Details | |
|---|---|---|
| Quota type: Legislated Candidate Quotas | Electoral law |
The lists of candidates for the parliamentary and local elections are drawn up respecting the minimum representation quota of 40% for both sexes. Positioning of candidates on the lists is done according to the formula: minimum four candidates for every ten seats. (Article 68.3) |
| Legal sanctions for non-compliance | Electoral law |
The lists of candidates shall be prepared and/or amended in compliance with the provisions set in Article 46(3). Failure to comply with the conditions set in paragraph (2) shall induce the refusal to register the lists of candidates by the respective election body. (Electoral Code, article 137: 2-3) |
| Is the provision of direct public funding to political parties related to gender equality among candidates? | Yes | See more in International IDEA's Political Finance database |
| Are there provisions for other financial advantages to encourage gender equality in political parties? | No | See more in International IDEA's Political Finance database |
Quota at the Sub-National Level
| Quota type | Legislated Candidate Quotas |
| Legal source | Details | |
|---|---|---|
| Quota type: Legislated Candidate Quotas | Electoral law |
The lists of candidates for the parliamentary and local elections are drawn up respecting the minimum representation quota of 40% for both sexes. Positioning of candidates on the lists is done according to the formula: minimum four candidates for every ten seats. (Article 68.3) |
Voluntary Political Party Quotas*
| Party | Official Name | Details, Quota provisions |
|---|---|---|
| Christian Democratic Party of Moldova | Partidul Popular Creştin Democrat (PPCD) |
In 2004, prior to the parliamentary elections the Christian Democratic Party revised a 'Resolution on the Promotion of Women in Politics' including a zipper system, altering a man or a woman on top of the list. The zipper system was meant to be applied throughout the whole list but did only reach number 20 out of 103 on the lists. |
* Only political parties represented in parliament are included. When a country has legislated quotas in place, only political parties that have voluntary quotas that exceed the percentage/number of the national quota legislation are presented in this table.
Additional information
On 14 April 2016, Law No. 71 says that women and men must each make up a minimum of 40 per cent of every political party’s candidates and of cabinet nominees.
In 1997 there was an initiative by two women MPs to introduce a provision in the electoral code requiring a minimum quota of 30 percent for women on party candidate lists. This initiative was not adopted. Upon drafting the new law on political parties there was a proposal to introduce a certain quota for women as one of their requirements for registration of parties. This initiative also failed.
Sources
Legal Sources:
- Constitution of Moldova - Link
- Electoral Law 325/2022 - Link
- Political Parties Law 294/2007 - Link
- Law on Ensuring Equal Opportunities for Women and Men 5/2006 - Link
Other Sources:
- Parliament of Moldova - Link
- Electoral Commission - Link
- UNDP. (July 25, 2019). How close is Moldova to achieve gender equality?
- UN Women. (June 20, 2016). Moldova takes historic step to promote gender equality in politics.
Additional reading
- See the latest updates on Republic of Moldova on iKNOW Politics
- Hurwitz, J. (March 13, 2021). Gender equality issues in Moldova. [The Borgen Project].
- Duminica, N. (2020). Political participation and representation of Roma women in Moldova. CEDAW Shadow Report. [Roma National Center].
- Council of Europe, European Union, 2017, Glass ceiling for Moldovan women in politics
- Terzi-Barbarosie, D. (2013). Participation of women in public and political life in the Republic of Moldova. Report developed in the framework of the Eastern Partnership Facility of the Council of Europe.
- Inter-Parliamentary Union [IPU]. (1997a). Men and Women in Politics: Democracy Still in the Making: A World Comparative Study. Geneva: Inter-Parliamentary Union.
- Republic of Moldova Parliament website, http://www.parlament.md/
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