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Gender Representation and Leadership in Local Transport Decision-Making Positions

Author

Listed:
  • Lena Winslott Hiselius

    (Department of Technology and Society, Lund University, 22100 Lund, Sweden)

  • Annica Kronsell

    (School of Global Studies, University of Gothenburg, 40530 Gothenburg, Sweden)

  • Lena Smidfelt Rosqvist

    (Trivector Traffic, Vävaregatan 21, 22236 Lund, Sweden)

  • Christian Dymén

    (Trivector Traffic, Vävaregatan 21, 22236 Lund, Sweden)

  • Olga Stepanova

    (RISE Research Institutes of Sweden, 41258 Gothenburg, Sweden)

Abstract

This paper aims to analyse and further capture nuances of gender representation in local political decision-making bodies, focusing on implications for transport policy. Since gender is highly relevant for both attitudes towards transport policy as well as political votes, data on the gender and political colour of executives (members of presidiums) of transport-related committees, councils, and boards is analysed. The study is aimed at the local level, since municipal transport policy decisions include areas with clear differences between masculinity and femininity norms. The mapping of representation reveals, in line with other studies, that women are underrepresented in the most leading position (as chairperson of the City Board 31–37%), and that presidiums of transport-related committees, especially, are highly dominated by men (72–74%) with no clear positive trend in female representation identified over the studied years. The result suggests that transport-related decisions are disproportionally shaped by men as well as masculine norms, with implications for the transition towards transport sustainability.

Suggested Citation

  • Lena Winslott Hiselius & Annica Kronsell & Lena Smidfelt Rosqvist & Christian Dymén & Olga Stepanova, 2023. "Gender Representation and Leadership in Local Transport Decision-Making Positions," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(14), pages 1-13, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:14:p:11280-:d:1197964
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Fox, Richard L. & Lawless, Jennifer L., 2014. "Uncovering the Origins of the Gender Gap in Political Ambition," American Political Science Review, Cambridge University Press, vol. 108(3), pages 499-519, August.
    2. Petra Ahrens & Petra Meier & Lise Rolandsen Agustín, 2023. "The European Parliament and Gender Equality: An Analysis of Achievements Based on the Concept of Power," Journal of Common Market Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 61(4), pages 1065-1081, July.
    3. Lena Winslott Hiselius & Annica Kronsell & Christian Dymén & Lena Smidfelt Rosqvist, 2019. "Investigating the Link between Transport Sustainability and the Representation of Women in Swedish Local Committees," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(17), pages 1-18, August.
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