The 5050 Group in the North West sent out a series of questions relating to women’s equal representation to the 2016 General Election Candidates in Donegal and Sligo-Leitrim.
Below are the questions with the candidate response.
| Sligo-Leitrim 2016 General Election Candidate: Chris MacManus, Sinn Féin
|
|
| QUESTIONS:
Do you support the 5050 Campaign for equal representation of women and men in Irish Politics? |
RESPONSES:
YES |
| Please Explain Why
|
Because I believe in fairness and equality, Most men do not recognize their advantage in many arenas, including politics. It is only when there is balance will this change.
|
| Are you in favour of introducing gender quotas for the 2019 local elections?
|
YES |
|
Please Explain Why
|
Despite advances this year in recruiting female candidates, unless there continues to be quotas, most parties will not seek greater gender balance. Sadly, quotas with consequences for not reaching them works, whereas logical arguments and asking for fairness may not.
|
| Would you support an’ A Rural Strategy’ to encourage more women to run for the local elections both as independents and party candidates?
|
YES |
| Would you support more women to take up leadership positions within your party, such as chairs and national executive members?
|
YES |
| What actions will you take within your party or as an Independent to encourage and support increased female participation in politics?
|
Actions include correcting men inside and outside the party who think mothers cannot serve in politics because they have children, nominating women for leadership positions, seeking out women who will stand for election, mentoring women for both regional party leadership positions and as candidates, requesting women in party leadership positions to provide workshops for women, (and workshops for men to understand the importance of gender balance,) and submitting motions to the annual Ard Fheis in support of gender balance.
|
| Would you support actions to make the Dáil more ‘family friendly’ by addressing the working hours, formalising maternity leave and considering other arrangements such as proxy voting and teleconferencing?
|
YES |
| Please Explain Why |
Family friendly policies and procedures would make it easier for mothers (and fathers) to participate in the Oireachtas. Currently, I think we lose many good potential candidates when they realise the extent to which their families will be disrupted should they be elected.
|