Closed lists and women’s political representation in Colombia: between normative promise and substantive limitations

Abstract

Objective.  To critically analyze the political reform proposal to establish single, closed, blocked electoral lists with mandatory gender alternation in Colombian collegiate bodies, evaluating whether this measure effectively strengthens substantive political representation of women or reproduces structural limitations that hinder the exercise of their rights. Methodology. A legal-institutional approach complemented with gender analysis was employed. The study comprises: (1) diagnosis of the Colombian electoral list system, (2) review of the evolution of parity democracy since the 1991 Constitution, (3) assessment of normative advances and persistent deficits in participation, financing, inclusion, and violence against women in politics, (4) analysis of the implications of the legislative failure of Legislative Act Project 26 of 2022 and the 2024 initiative.  Results. Significant normative advances in parity matters were identified; however, critical implementation deficits persist. The legislative failure of both initiatives evidences difficulties in establishing durable institutional agreements on the electoral model. Closed parity lists may incentivize greater descriptive representation but do not guarantee substantive representation of women in political decision-making. Conclusion. Closed electoral lists with gender alternation constitute a necessary but insufficient advance. It is necessary to move toward comprehensive mechanisms that strengthen the real political incidence of women and other underrepresented groups, combining electoral reforms with strategic actions in participation, financing, inclusion, and protection against political violence.