Abstract
Focus on quotas has shifted attention away from other, more comprehensive and strategic reforms aimed at furthering gender equality in political parties. This article concentrates on the gender action plans adopted by three Spanish parties. Using a gendered and institutional approach, it examines the conditions that led to the layering of these plans alongside existing party rules and assesses the outcome of such a gradual change. The results of the empirical analysis suggest that gender action plans have contributed not only to feminize the organization in terms of women’s numerical representation but also increasingly to regender it, thereby setting in motion a more profound change that challenges the foundations of gendered opportunities for political participation. The article also identifies the measures that have been less effective and pinpoints the reasons for the differential impact of gender equity institutional change across the various components of the party gender regime.
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