Local Election gender quotas not sufficient for fair representation of women in politics

Women for Election are calling for gender quotas for the next local elections as part of the Gender Quota Alliance today, Tuesday September 24.

Katie Deegan, from Women for Election, highlighted that the exclusion of women from the political sphere leads to a lack of fair representation of society.

Deegan said: “Gender balance in local government isn’t just a matter of fairness; it’s a matter of better decision-making. Democracy functions better when it represents everyone it serves and when there is a balance of men and women involved.”

Ireland is now 22 out of the EU 27 countries in regard to gender balance in politics.

“The stagnation in the number of women Councillors elected in the recent local elections, at just 26% means that new radical measures are needed so that we don’t have to wait another three decades for even 40% women in local government.

"Our democracy is neither healthy nor sustainable if we exclude the voices and experiences of half of the population," Deegan said.

The event aimed to highlight the ways which political parties can support the involvement of more women, and more women from diverse backgrounds, in all aspects of political life.

They say that the support should be tied to outcomes.

Deegan said: “The introduction of gender quotas at the local level is a critical step in ensuring that the many talented, capable women in our businesses, communities, farms and workplaces have a fair chance to be at the centre of the decision making that affects all our lives.”

Alongside gender quotas Women for Election call on political parties to introduce women-only selection shortlists and gender balanced co-options into any vacancies.

“It is clear from the Local Elections that the pace of change is painfully slow. It is unacceptable to tell young women today that they’ll have to wait another generation to see equal representation in our local and national government. We need these urgent, radical reforms now, not later. We cannot afford to be patient on this issue any longer," concluded Deegan.