This is how we elect more women
AS you read the Irish Examiner this morning, more than 400 people will be gathering at the conference centre in Dublin Castle to discuss the topic of expanding women’s role in political life in Ireland.
We all recognise the progress made. Better opportunities for working women, a closer-knit bond between Dads and their children, an all too slow move away from the grinding poverty that beset such a large part of our population. But did we achieve true gender equality? No, there is more to be achieved.
As the ’70s moved to the ’80s and then to the ’90s, we got more used to the idea that women could have a fulfilling career as well as a family.
On this occasion and in this economic crisis, it is often the woman who assumes the responsibility as principal breadwinner when her partner lost his equally well paid job. This is a huge challenge, but consider the situation that would arise for families, were many of our women, sole bread winners, not in good employment?
Effectively we in Ireland have, over the past 40 or so years, created a thoroughly modern society.
We Irish are renowned for sharing. In the old days, it was the loan of a cup of sugar, a family occasion, a cup of tea. The Celtic Tiger brought the sharing of holidays and expensive celebrations. Now efforts are somewhat more modest, but every event is marked with some gathering and togetherness.
We still care and we still share. But no, I am wrong. We share the challenges and joys of family life, of daily life, but when it comes to politics, now that’s still a different story.
Enter into the political world and you enter into a life steeped in tradition — I am even tempted to say, still steeped in a largely male tradition.
We can all name a small number of very successful female politicians. However the crux of the matter is that it is still a small number. But women can, and do, make a significant contribution.
Four hundred women and men are devoting a day of their precious time today to attend our Conference in Dublin to discuss just one topic: “How to Elect More Women?”
I believe we are on the cusp of change. The tweets show a heightened level of excitement at the prospect of a new beginning for those who have campaigned tirelessly to date to get more women into Dáil Éireann.
You will recall that an Oireachtas sub-committee assisted by my party colleague, Senator Ivana Bacik, identified the barriers to women’s participation in politics now known as “the five Cs”: childcare, cash, confidence, culture, and candidate selection. Now is the time to cross those barriers. Legislation, recently published by Environment Minister Phil Hogan TD, crosses the greatest of these barriers in a most practical way. His new law, when passed, will require political parties to ensure that at least 30% of their candidates at the next general election are women. Failure will lead to a reduction in their exchequer funding.
So, women of Ireland, your political parties need you. Your country needs you. Men and women of Ireland, we need each other. Sadly we, the women of Ireland trail behind most of our European counterparts who are much more likely to be involved in active political life. We need to nurture change so that we can offer choice at the next election. The “guys” at the top in Ireland are now showing an openness to change. Otherwise, they too, would not be giving up their precious time to come to our great conference today in Dublin Castle.
We must seize the opportunity to break down those Cs and to step forward as confident women candidates, ready to accept our rightful places in a new political culture that fosters the best leaders, both female and male, to ensure that our wonderful country progresses in the 21st century. Out with the old, in with gender-balanced democracy.
* Kathleen Lynch TD is Minister of State for Disability, Equality, Mental Health and Older People. She is hosting the conference “How to Elect More Women?” in Dublin today.
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