It feels good. This is an important week in the history of Ireland. We’re about to take an important step towards gender equality in political life.
It feels good that Minister Phil Hogan will introduce the Gender Quotas Bill in the Seanad on Thursday, February 2nd 2012 at 1145. Good that the government is fully behind this change. Great that Fianna Fail is so much in favour of gender quotas that it’s going to press for them to be extended to the Local Elections 2014.
Let’s welcome opposition to gender quotas…
Of course, there are voices against change – people who want to retain the status quo, conservatives. This is good – it means we have political debate – the interest of citizens will be sparked. It would not be good if this historic change was made without public debate. The unconvinced sceptics & downright sexists strengthen our argument.
Wasn’t it encouraging…
Wasn’t it remarkable to see Leaders & General Secretaries of Fine Gael, Labour & Fianna Fáil in full support of legal gender quotas. They’re the people who have to make it happen within their parties – deal with those who are disappointed, frustrated & angry.
Wasn’t it superb to see Sinn Féin & People Before Profit Alliance speaking up in favour of gender quotas – as part of their commitment to gender equality.
Right now, there’s furious internal debate within political parties. Many who dreamed of being selected as candidates in the next General Election have had their dream disrupted.
Imagine…
Imagine if this was 3 days before the introduction of the Bill to give women the vote in Ireland. Imagine we were back introducing equal suffrage in 1922.
Would we be celebrating? Of course we would. Would we be satisfied? Of course we wouldn’t. We would be saying this is a significant step in the right direction.
What we really want is gender equality in all law-making, all politics. We want women & men equally involved in the whole process of governing our society. So we are pleased at what we’ve achieved, but we have more to fight for.
Isn’t that what we’d have said in 1922?
Help the Cause now : Lobby your local councillors, TDs, Senators, party activists, party workers, local papers, radio stations, favourite media…
As I sit here putting together some of my speaking points for Thursday I came across your article. Yes, that really is a thought to ponder… imagining if it were three days before we discussed equal suffrage. I personally am looking forward to a lively debate and to challenging Minister Hogan to see if we can go further such as doing it in one election cycle; finding ways to apply it to European and Seanad elections; and exploring why it cannot be introduced in time for local and European elections in June 2014. I would echo your call urging people to get in touch with their Senator or TD and to share their views. All viewpoints are more than welcome.
This is really what politics is about – lots of genuine, well thought out passionate debate – around a bill that will have a significant impact whatever direction the vote goes.