Gender, Governance, and Fiscal Priorities: A Comparative Analysis of Women Legislators' Influence on Budgetary Allocations to Female Entrepreneurship in Senegal (2010–2024)

This comparative study investigates whether the increased descriptive representation of women in Senegal’s National Assembly, following the 2010 gender parity law, has translated into substantive fiscal gains for female entrepreneurship support programmes (2010–2024). It addresses the critical question of if and how women legislators influence budgetary allocations towards women-led businesses, a recognised driver of inclusive economic growth. Employing a rigorous mixed-methods approach, the research first conducts a quantitative analysis of annual budget appropriations to relevant ministries, correlating these with the proportion of women parliamentarians. This is complemented by a qualitative content analysis of parliamentary debates and committee reports (2015–2023) to trace legislative influence. The findings demonstrate a significant, though non-linear, positive correlation between women’s parliamentary presence and increased budgetary commitments, particularly pronounced after 2017. However, the analysis identifies persistent institutional constraints—such as committee placements and procedural norms—that mediate this influence. The study concludes that while women’s political representation is a crucial lever for advancing gender-responsive economic policies, its efficacy depends on more than numerical quotas; it requires strengthening the substantive capacity and institutional support for women legislators to shape national budgets effectively. These insights offer important implications for policymakers and advocates across Africa.