Quotas have proved an effective means of achieving a more equal distribution of women and men in political insitutions. The use of quotas in political institutions was a controversial issue when first introduced in the 1970s by the Socialist Left Party and the Liberal Party. Today, four of the six major Norwegian parties apply a gender quota system when appointments are made to party insitutions and electoral lists compiled. The Labour Party introduced gender quotas at all political levels in 1983. The table below shows the representation of women in the Government, the Storting and municipal councils from 1980 to 1994.
Figures are percentages.
As indicated in the table, the proportion of women in government increased dramatically up to 1990, while the percentage of women on municipal councils increased somewhat more slowly. At the 1991 municipal elections, the proportion of women decreased slightly. The percentage of women in the Storting has increased steadily up to and including the present electoral period. Surveys show that there are clear, gender-based divisions with regard to the political spheres dealt with by men and women politicians. Women tend to show greater interest in issues concerning welfare and social policy, environmental protection and disarmament, education and equal opportunities.