More Women, But Not Enough: The Effects of Anti-Mafia Policies on Gender Representation in Italy

This chapter evaluates the link between organized crime activities and female political participation in Italian municipalities. We consider the enforcement of two different anti-mafia policies: the dismissal of city councils for mafia infiltration (DC policy) and the seizure and reassignment of properties owned by mafia members (SR policy). Difference-in-differences reveal a significant increase in the proportion of women holding the position of councillor when the SR policy is implemented, as it returns public value to local communities, whereas the DC policy does not seem to have a significant impact on the gender composition of the elected body. Besides, both before and after the implementation of these policies, women remain underrepresented in the role of mayor.