SHARECountry Data
Guinea-Bissau (Republic of Guinea-Bissau) has a Unicameral parliament with legislated quotas for the single/lower house and at the sub-national level. 14 of 102 (14%) seats in the Assembleia Nacional Popular / People's National Assembly are held by women.
At a glance
Structure of Parliament: Unicameral
Are there legislated quotas...
- For the Single/Lower House? Yes
- For the Sub-National Level? Yes
Are there voluntary quotas...
- Adopted by political parties?
Is there additional information?...
- Yes
Last updated: Feb 21, 2023
Single/Lower House
Assembleia Nacional Popular / People's National Assembly
| Total seats | 102 |
| Total Women | 14 |
| % Women | 14% |
| Election Year | 2019 |
| 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 Parity Law adopted in 2018 establishes quotas of 36% for the participation and presence of women in the lists of candidates of political parties to the legislative elections (Law n.4/2018). |
| Legal sanctions for non-compliance | Yes | If a list does not comply with this law, the representative shall be notified, in accordance with the applicable electoral law, to correct it. (Parity Law, article 5)Failure to correct the lists within the timeframe provided for in the respective electoral law cumulatively determines the public posting of the lists indicating their non-compliance with the present law; its disclosure in the media; the reduction of the amount of public subsidies for election campaigns, if any, under the terms of this law; the loss of all tax exemptions when granted. (Parity Law, Article 6) The parties or coalitions of parties which do not comply with the 36% quota shall have a reduction of the public subsidy allocated for the election campaigns to which they are entitled in the following terms: a) When the representation of women in the application list is less than 20%, the public subsidy shall be reduced by 35%. b) Where the representation of women in the application list is 20% or more but less than 36%, the state subsidy shall be reduced by 25%. (Parity Law, Article 9) The parties or party coalitions which do not comply with the Ranking/ placement rule shall have a 50% reduction in public subsidies allocated to the electoral campaigns to which they are entitled. (Parity Law, Article 9). Parties or coalitions of parties which violate the provisions of the gender quota and Ranking/ placement shall forfeit all tax exemptions which they would have enjoyed. (Parity Law, Article 10) |
| Rank order/placement rules | No data available | |
| Is the provision of direct public funding to political parties related to gender equality among candidates? | Not applicable | 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 Parity Law adopted in 2018 establishes quotas of 36% for the participation and presence of women in the lists of candidates of political parties to the municipal elections (Law n.4/2018). |
| Legal sanctions for non-compliance | ||
| Rank order/placement rules | No data available |
Additional Information
The Parliament of Guinea-Bissau did, the 2 August 2018, unanimously approve a law to ensure a minimum quota of 36% of women’s representation to be respected in elections or appointments to the National Assembly and Local Governments, with a view to achieving parity. The law was unanimously voted by the 81 MPs present. The National Assembly (ANP) thus concluded two days of discussion under the leadership of the chairman of the Specialized Commission for Women and Children, Ms. Martina Moniz (UNIOGBIS, 2018).
Sources
LEGAL SOURCES:
- Guinea-Bissau's Constitution of 1984 with Amendments through 1996 (English)
- Guinea-Bissau Electoral Legislation (Portuguese)
- Gender Parity Law (Portuguese)
OTHER SOURCES:
- República da Guiné-Bissau, 2019, “The most important thing that happened in 2019 in terms of
production States and Regions” (Portuguese) - United Nations Intergrated Peacebuilding Office in Guinea-Bissau (UNIOGIBS), 2018, Guinea-Bissay parliament passes law to ensure gender balanced political representation
Additional reading
- Vaz, V. M. B. (2020). Politics and gender in Guinea-Bissau: candidate selection across political parties (Doctoral dissertation).
- Ugbe, S. T. (2020). Women's Political Representation: A Review of Frameworks and Quotas in West Africa.
- Carvalho, C. (2019). Women and peacebuilding in Guinea-Bissau. conflict trends, 2019(4), 29-36.