Electoral quota is patronising

Ireland has one of the lowest levels in Europe of female participation in electoral politics.

The Inter-Parliamentary Union ranked Ireland third last of countries with women in parliament.

With 15% of the Irish government made up of females, we lag considerably behind Sweden and Finland, who have 50% female participation.

In the last general election, only 86 of the 480 candidates for election were women, with only 25 of those winning seats in the Dáil. New regulations will halve political parties’ election funding from the taxpayer unless 30% of their candidates are women.

While this will ensure an increase in female participation, it’s degrading. It is patronising that seats will be reserved for women rather than earned by them.

Female electorates will be filling a quota rather than earning their seats in the same way as the men. Women are more than capable of fulfilling their political duties in the Dáil, but Irish voters continue to elect male candidates.

Votes for women fall to the wayside as people think female politicians will be unable to dedicate sufficient time and attention to tackling national issues.

This is what women are up against. Many female candidates do have a family. They have the difficult task of balancing their family life and their electoral life. There are also issues of confidence. The resignation of Roisin Shortall reflects the over-powering presence of males in government. Women fear the disrespect of men, especially in politics.

The National Democratic Institution says women’s political participation is essential in building and sustaining democracy.

They say women are better candidates for dealing with local policies and for addressing the socio-economic issues faced by women, children and disadvantaged groups.

Female politicians are often easier to approach about personal or local matters as they can identify. They are more honest candidates: in countries where women are in power there are lower levels of governmental corruption.

We need more awareness in schools of equal participation in government. From a young age, girls and boys should be educated, and motivated, in politics to generate a broader interest. This can build confidence in women from a younger age. Training should be provided, so that women can learn to balance family and political life, and so they can learn how to be more prominent figures.

Women are more than capable of dealing with political issues and of making changes on a national scale. They must be given a fair chance. We need to encourage more female participation, and vote for them and their policies on election day. There are many strong, courageous and powerful women in the world, and we must allow ours to shine and to give them an equal voice in Irish politics.

Emma Foley

Carrick on Shannon

Co Leitrim