Quotas for Female Politicians in Ireland

...First, we examined the challenges facing women on entry into politics, and suggested that these can be summarised under five headings (the “five C’s”): childcare; cash; confidence; culture; and candidate selection procedures.

Under “childcare”, we found that the “long hours” culture in politics is a factor which discourages women from being more politically active. We recommended therefore that, for example, changes to political party processes and council and Oireachtas sitting times are necessary to ensure that childcare and other family responsibilities can be accommodated, both for men and women in politics.

Under the “cash” heading, we found lack of resources to be another major factor inhibiting women in politics, particularly as, in Ireland, women earn on average 22 per cent less than their male counterparts. We recommended, among other things, the establishment of a national fundraising campaign to finance women’s electoral campaigns and the voluntary provision of additional funds by parties to support women candidates.

Under “confidence” – women tend to lack sufficient self-belief to participate actively in political life, and to put themselves forward for selection in political parties. So we recommended that parties be encouraged to introduce recruitment drives aimed at women, seeking to identify and “head-hunt” women in local areas.

Under the “culture” heading, we found that the “overall masculine image of politics”, remains as a powerful barrier for women’s increased participation. We recommended that specific steps be taken, in particular through the education system, to encourage more women into politics through education programmes, and the creation of a national data bank of potential women candidates, on a constituency-by-constituency basis.

Finally, the issue of candidate selection procedures within political parties has been identified in research internationally as the single most important obstacle to women’s political participation. This is the most controversial area, and this is where the question of quotas arises.

The question is how best to reform these procedures to achieve increased numbers of women in parliament. We reviewed the different models for reform in various countries and found that legislative electoral quotas, as experienced in Spain and Belgium, would be effective in the Irish political system. Thus, we recommended that candidate quota legislation be adopted, to oblige each political party to impose a maximum limit on the proportion of candidates of any one gender selected to run in elections at local, national and European levels. Such legislation should be introduced on a temporary basis only, to ensure that when targets are met, the law will lapse.

rebel girl 15 wrote: »

In the last twenty years, women's rights and role in Ireland have changed dramatically, from the traditional stay at home mother to women that are empowered, independent and career woman. I'm not saying all women are or were, but imo thats the stereotype that is out there now, with more families than 20 years ago having both parents employed outside the home. So how come 20 years ago, when women weren't seen as equal to males as they are today we were very high up that list, whereas now in a modern society where gender discrimination exists less than 20 years ago that women in power has dropped so significantly.

Ms Basik mentions about the“overall masculine image of politics” as a barrier that still remains, but how come 20 years ago, that barrier was seemingly being overcome much easier than today, when the perceived role of women has come a long way? She did hit the nail on the head when she says that we assumed that women's participation would increase but it hasn't, in fact it has decreased!

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2009/1105/breaking52.html

Morlar wrote: »

My question on this would be why would I as a voter want to be represented by a politician who is incapable of even getting fairly elected ?

If a prospective representative of mine (ie a FF/FG/LAB/Green/SF etc politician) is not capable of being personally selected by their party, and of attaining the correct level of votes in a general election to enter office what does that say about their abilities as a representative of my best interests ?

Morlar wrote: »

I would rather be represented by a politician who is at least capable of being elected fairly.

Morlar wrote: »

This is an anti democratic proposal in my view in that it discriminates against the dynammic and the capable in favour of those who are not.