Men are the reason so few women in politics

I welcome Oisín Sheehan (aged 11) to the debate on why there are so few women in politics (Letters, April 29).

The reason is that men, who control the political scene, (95% of the Dáil since independence) are happy to keep women out.

The fact that women comprise half of the population and that their talents, perspectives and interests are marginalised in politics, as well as in other walks of life in which power can be manipulated to advantage, does not worry the mostly male incumbents. The debate is increasingly shrill because of the requirement that a minimum proportion of candidates be women in the next general election. Oisín asks “what does all this mean?” I am sorry to have to disillusion one so young, but the answer is that the male political establishment feels threatened and is fighting to defend its dominant position.

A. Leavy

Shielmartin Drive

Sutton

Dublin 13