Lemondrop

Last week, Rwanda became the first country to elect a female majority in parliament. Women now hold 56.25 percent of parliamentary seats, up from a previous high of 48 percent.

In the last decade, the world has seen an unprecedented increase in the number of women elected to office. The United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) recently reported that 18.4 percent of members of legislative bodies worldwide are women, up from 17 percent in 2006.

At least part of the reason for the increase is due to quotas, which exist in 110 countries. Of the 22 countries where women make up more than 30 percent of the governing assemblies, 18 use quotas. Rwanda has instituted a quota program, but they elected nearly double the number of women required by quota laws. Proponents say that adhering to quotas changes minds about the competency and electability of women. Still, some critics object to quotas, arguing that if female candidates are strong, they shouldn't need the help.

Last week, PBS aired "Women, Power and Politics: A Rising Tide?" an hour-long show exploring the increasing influence of women in governments ... and America's relative lag in equality. In the U.S., 18 percent of representatives are women and only 16 percent of senators are female. So do you think we need a gender quota in the U.S.?