Sir, – Anne Lucey highlighted the abysmal statistics regarding women candidates in the forthcoming local elections (Home News, January 24th).
Currently just 25 per cent of all local election candidates are women. While this figure is low, it does at least represent an increase on the last local elections. In 2009, only 17 per cent of the candidates were women. Interestingly, on that occasion, 17 per cent of council seats were won by women, clearly indicating that there was no electoral bias against women – when women get on the ballot paper they will get elected. However, the problem is that not enough women are appearing on the election ballot papers. While there are many factors inhibiting women’s participation in politics, a key stumbling block is how candidates are selected. At selection conventions, party delegates will tend to favour the “tried and tested” incumbent candidates rather than the “new” candidate. Incumbents are typically men meaning it is more difficult for “new” women candidates to get selected.
The 5050 Group is campaigning for more equal representation in Irish politics, part of which is challenging political parties to effectively implement the gender quota legislation.
It is not too late for some political parties to take directive action and get more women selected. Otherwise, it will cost them in the long run. At the next general election parties will lose half their State funding if they don’t comply with the gender quota legislation which will compel them to have at least 30 per cent women candidates. For many women and men, becoming a councillor is the first “stepping-stone” to a seat in the Dáil. It makes sense for all parties to pull out all the stops now and get more women on the ticket for May’s local elections.
We need more women in politics: parties can make this happen with two vital ingredients – political will and leadership. – Yours, etc,
NOIRIN CLANCY
National Chair,
5050 Group,
