Women’s Political Representation in Local Government Councils and Decentralized Service Delivery

African Journal of Gender and Women Studies | Vol. 11, No. 10, October 2026 | pp. 281–294

DOI: 10.46882/2026/AJGWS/001335

Article Type: Research Article

Title: Women’s Political Representation in Local Government Councils and Decentralized Service Delivery

Names of Author: Adeline Mutesi¹, Thomas Lindqvist², & Gabriela Rojas³

Author's Affiliation: ¹Department of Governance and Public Administration, University of Rwanda, Kigali, Rwanda; ²Department of Political Science, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden; ³Faculty of Political and Social Sciences, Pontifical Catholic University of Peru, Lima, Peru.

Abstract:
Decentralization reforms across developing democracies are frequently promoted as mechanisms for bringing governance closer to citizens and expanding women’s political participation at the municipal level. While reserved seats and local electoral quotas have increased the presence of female councilors, patriarchal patronage networks, limited municipal budgets, and male-dominated executive committees often constrain women’s policy influence. Nevertheless, female local representatives frequently prioritize community investments in clean water, primary healthcare, and market sanitation. This paper investigates the relationship between female municipal representation and gender-responsive local service delivery in Rwanda and Peru. Grounded in feminist institutionalism and decentralization theory, the study analyzes municipal budget allocations alongside interviews with 42 female councilors and community leaders. We conclude that sustained civic mobilization and gender-budgeting training empower local female officials to translate descriptive presence into tangible community welfare gains.

Keywords: Local government, decentralization, women’s political representation, service delivery, feminist institutionalism, municipal governance, Rwanda, Peru

Manuscript Timeline: Received: September 06, 2026; Revised: October 06, 2026; Accepted: October 10, 2026; Published: October 15, 2026.

Citation: Mutesi, A., Lindqvist, T., & Rojas, G. (2026). Women’s Political Representation in Local Government Councils and Decentralized Service Delivery. African Journal of Gender and Women Studies, 11(10), 281–294. DOI: 10.46882/2026/AJGWS/001335

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