Affirmative action measures and electoral candidates’ positioning in Zambia

Abstract

Affirmative action measures such as reserved seats and legislated quotas have generated considerable scholarly interest in how they affect women’s representation in elective office. Less scholarly attention has been paid to understanding how affirmative action impacts the positioning of electoral candidates. This article contributes to the literature by exploring the positioning of electoral candidates in Zambia relative to gender and affirmative action. Drawing on in-depth interviews with parliamentary candidates in Zambia, the article finds that male and female candidates express overall support for affirmative action measures. However, whereas female candidates embrace affirmative action as a tool for increasing women’s representation, male candidates view the measures as a temporary intervention and as perpetuating gender inequality. In terms of positioning, the article finds that candidates’ positioning on gender equality is shaped by their party affiliation rather than their sex. The article concludes by reflecting on what these findings mean for increased women’s representation through affirmative action.