THE DEBATE: GENDER QUOTAS FOR DÁIL CANDIDATES - YES HOT DEBATE followed articles in this newspaper in the summer of 2010 over quotas for women candidates in politics. The 2011 general elections offered the electorate six male candidates for each woman candidate. The outcome was much the same. We now have six men for every woman in Dáil Éireann – a slim improvement on previous Dáils.
The Irish Timesarticles and subsequent correspondence showed that elected female politicians and the Irish public are divided on candidate quotas and on the role of women in political life.
Debate will start soon on new legislation on electoral practice introduced by Minister for the Environment Phil Hogan. In line with the programme for government, it provides that at least 30 per cent of candidates put forward by parties at the next general election are women. If parties fail their exchequer funding will be reduced.
Without doubt this will reopen discussion on women, politics and quotas. Are candidate quotas tokenism? Are women being nominated just because they are women? Is it insulting to women who have fought hard and succeeded in being elected? Does the legislation go far enough? How does our parliamentary process support women who are also mothers?
We can turn these questions on their heads. How does our parliamentary process support members who are also fathers? Why should 85 per cent of our deputies be men? Were they nominated and elected because they were men or because they were the most suitable candidates? I could continue.
The UN and the Council of Europe tell us that good government draws on the views of a critical mass of at least 30 per cent of men and of women – twice the current level for women in Ireland. Ireland continues to lag far behind most of the EU in this regard.
Women have played a significant role in the advancement of the Irish economy over the past 20 years. More women are at work and in higher positions than previously and continue to be stalwarts in social services and volunteerism.
The challenge we face is to achieve change in politics.
As all my political colleagues, both male and female, will acknowledge, political life in Ireland is not easy, but it is both rewarding and fulfilling. Otherwise we would not have hot competition within parties and constituencies to gain the coveted selection “ticket”.
I believe that recent experiences have led all political parties and all citizens to agree that we in Ireland are in a state of transition. The greater engagement of women as political activists is essential to this transition. How can women become more involved?
None of the political parties can afford to wait until the starting gate for the next general election to identify potential female candidates for electoral tickets. At election time each party invests scarce funds in promoting candidates. Each party must find good female candidates who merit support and will appeal to the electorate. They must start that quest immediately.
Women too must realise that their country needs them to serve in political life at all levels. The many women who have fought for so long to increase female representation in Irish politics must ensure that there is an increase in active political engagement among women.
This new legislation presents an opportunity for women of all shades of political opinion to join a political party; influence party policy; stand for election; and ultimately to serve their electorate at local, national or international levels.
Women need to recognise the contribution they already make to Irish society through their professional lives, their involvement in community groups and other volunteering bodies. They can use this experience to influence change further through political engagement.
As all my female colleagues will acknowledge, while political life is rewarding it also requires sacrifices. Time is needed to build up networks and attend meetings, often at difficult hours. All successful politicians must work closely with their constituents.
It won’t be easy for men either! A move towards the greater sharing of political life will require changes in mindsets among political activists. The need for partners and families to support women activists and women candidates will present challenges for their families.
The electorate needs to be educated to accept that women candidates have as much to offer as their male counterparts.
As party members we must collaborate to identify good female candidates with the capacity to go “all the way” at elections.
As women we must spread the message that true democracy is achieved when decisions are taken by a gender-balanced group.
As citizens we must ensure that women are encouraged to achieve their full potential and to engage in political life so that candidate quotas quickly become unnecessary.
Kathleen Lynch is Minister for Disability, Equality, Mental Health and Older People. A cross-party conference on this issue is being held in Dublin Castle today.