Gender and legislative committees in Africa: a study of Rwanda and South Africa

Are female legislators treated equally in comparison to their male peers in the organisation of parliamentary committees? This study investigates the dynamics of legislative committee assignments in Rwanda and South Africa. We analyze data on 1257 committee appointments across two legislative terms from 2010 to 2023. Despite comparable educational and professional backgrounds between male and female parliamentarians, our findings highlight the persistent influence of gender on the organisation of legislative committees. Specifically, women are significantly more likely to be assigned to committees that are stereotypically considered feminine and of lower prestige. By shedding light on these patterns, this nuanced research contributes to our understanding of how work in legislative committees is influenced by gender roles.