Women's political agency in difficult settings: Analysis of evidence from Egypt, Nigeria, Mozambique, and Pakistan

Motivation Male gatekeeping and biased social norms in difficult settings characterized by fragility, authoritarianism, conflict create challenges for women's political participation. This article explores the nature of experienced women how they exercise agency such settings—as voters, claimants, brokers services, as activists. Purpose I investigate range expressions responses secure from public authorities settings. ask question: to what effect do settings? Analysis allows a broader view engagement politics. Methods approach The develops framework identify individual collective Action Empowerment Accountability (A4EA) studies conducted Egypt, Mozambique, Nigeria, Pakistan. synthesis male gatekeeping; strategies use navigate these limit backlash; changes that result taking action. Findings Evidence shows politics their relations with multiple operate Women gender-specific repertoires organize protests make claims on specific reduce risk backlash own communities security agencies. findings show that, while there is some success claim-making issues at personal level feel more empowered, not necessarily lead systemic change. Policy implications Donors local need develop interventions tackle within parties facilitate engagement. Flexibility funding will enable donors work directly or indirectly grassroots national rights groups developing contextualized, bottom-up interventions. Strengthening pro-gender-equality alliances spaces deliberation help ensure gender equality co-opted authoritarian leaders populist sustain counter-narratives.