Just Two Iowa Counties Comply With Gender Balance Laws, Iowa State Study Finds

Researchers at the Carrie Chapman Catt Center for Women and Politics at Iowa State University found that just two Iowa counties meet Iowa's gender compliance rules when it comes to appointments to boards and commissions.

The center took a look at seven boards and commissions serving most Iowa counties, according to a report from Iowa State News Service. 

Johnson and Van Buren counties were the only two of 99 that met gender balance requirements.

The state law says that no gender may comprise more than half a board's members if boards have an even number and no gender can comprise more than half plus one member, if the board has an odd number of members.

Almost all counties had at least one board that complied with gender rules, except in Hamilton County, the report said.

Authors of the Carrie Chapman Catt report said they hoped the study would lead to teaching more women about serving on local boards.

However Dianne Bystrom said it was important to realize that the gender balance legislation wasn't solely aimed at women.

Men are often underrepresented on municipal boards such as board for libraries, she told ISU News.

Research shows that gender balance brings a variety of views and experiences to boards or commissions, Bystrom said.

“Gender-balanced boards are often more collaborative, productive and, thus, more effective in serving their communities,” Bystrom said.

There’s also evidence that women who serve in this capacity may consider running for an elected office in the future. Recruiting more women candidates for political office is an ongoing goal of the Catt Center and Friends. 

See the full Carrie Chapman Catt Center report here.