This paper quantifies the gender gap in the returns to electoral success on the career progression of novice U.S.

Does increasing the number of women in career stages that precede high-level positions affect female representation at the top of the career ladder?

A one-third quota rule for women in local political leadership seats in India increases the number of female candidates who later contest seats in state and national legislatures.

I examine whether the ‘role model effect’ of female politicians on adolescent girls’ school enrollment comes only from female representation in the lowest level of local government.