Parity democracy and constitutional State: From gender quotas to radically democratic citizenship

Abstract

The legal debate on parity has focused on the constitutionality of electoral quotas. However, the concept of parity is more ambitious and complex because it implies a revision of the budgets of the constitutional systems. From this point of view, parity perfects representative democracies because it implies a social contract in which women finally enjoy full citizenship. In other words, parity is not only a question of the presence of women but an overcoming the sexual contract that for centuries has conditioned their rights enjoyment. This principle should be the key for a constitutional reform that seeks an effective commitment to gender equality.