Journal Abstract

This study examines the proliferation of gender quotas in Asian national politics, prompted by global advocacy for a more gender-inclusive political landscape. While these quotas have augmented the numerical presence of women, their substantive representation remains elusive. Instances from Japan, Vietnam, Taiwan, Bangladesh, and Korea provide insights into various barriers such as violence, sexual harassment, societal expectations, cultural stigmas, and institutional gatekeeping. These challenges underscore a quantitative rather than a qualitative focus of gender quotas. The study proposes remedies, including the cultivation of inspirational female leaders and structural reforms aimed at dismantling entrenched barriers to women’s political participation.