Party Nominations and Specialization: Women Legislators In the Committee System of Argentina’s House of Deputies

Abstract

Using data from the biographies of women and men legislators from the Argentine Congress over three legislatures, this article analyzes gender differences in
participation in standing committees. The study finds that women are less likely to occupy a small number of powerful positions that are highly coveted by politicians. The article shows that relative gender equality in access to positions of political representation does not guarantee equal access to positions of power within the legislature and reflects on the consequences that this may have in terms of substantive representation.