Are gender quotas a step to far?

THE decision of the government to introduce minimum quotas for the number of women candidates in future elections has rightly sparked a debate and is the subject of some controversy.

This is a historic debate and deserves the attention it is getting. The long development of human thought on the legislative institutions seem to have left out consideration of the adequate representation of women in such institutions. The place of women in politics had been left out of the discourse in the public realm for a period of 22 centuries between ancient Greece and 18th century England. Indeed, even 100 years after universal suffrage, it is still a contested concept in the still predominantly male, political milieu. The principal arguments for increased women’s representation in political decision-making are:

* The one deriving from democratic justice.

* That of representing women’s interests.

* That of the efficient use of all human resources.

These are powerful arguments but the imposition of quotas to achieve the objective of increasing the number of women in the Dáil is seen as a step too far for many people. The proof of the pudding will be seen, however, when the election occurs and the extra women candidates have to go before the electorate.

A Leavy

Sutton

Dublin 13