12 February 2004 Edition
Dramatic under-representation of women in Irish political life
Bairbre de Brun
Sinn Féin spokesperson on EU affairs and candidate in the Six Counties in the forthcoming election Bairbre de Brún, spoke on Friday at an event organised by the EU Commission in Dublin exploring the need for more women candidates in EU elections.
"The European Women's Lobby has pointed out that today women count for 31% of the total number of MEPs in Europe. Women's representation in the national parliaments of the member states is 25%. It is particularly important that more women are elected as MEPs because EU provisions have been among the main drivers for increased gender equality here. A critical mass of women MEPs will allow for further progress in this arena. The EU also now plays an increasing role in Irish affairs more generally, both North and South.
"The consequences of the under-representation of women are manifold. Firstly the concerns and experience of 50% of the population are excluded or marginalised from the political process. Gender equality is a prerequisite to participatory democracy. Secondly, there is clear evidence which links greater inclusion of women in decision-making with the development of broader and more socially inclusive agendas. The inclusion of both sexes in policy-making leads to more rounded decisions and a more equitable allocation of resources. Issues that would otherwise be ignored are more likely to be taken into account.
"The question that follows then is why has so little been done in Ireland and why? Equally we need to ask what must be done. The issue here is not 'if' we should do something to rectify this clear imbalance, but what and when.
"Equality opportunity measures within parties and institutions are required, including provision of childcare or costs; adoption of family friendly working hours and practices; provision of training and, most importantly, the mainstreaming of affirmative action quotas, whether voluntary or otherwise.
"The importance of women candidates in elections and particularly the upcoming EU election cannot be underestimated. Since the inception of the European Community back in the 1970s, the North's representatives have consistently been men. As a woman candidate with more than a fair chance of success in the forthcoming EU elections in June, I hope that a small but significant glass ceiling is being broken.
"The fact that Sinn Féin's front runners in this election are both women, Mary Lou McDonald in Dublin and myself, is yet another indication that Sinn Féin is putting our money where our mouth is and proactively addressing the need for greater women's representation. Hopefully if only in a small way, by our example we can encourage more women into the arena."