Post on 29-Jan-2016
description
Foyle Women’s Information Network
Catherine Cooke Co-ordinator FWIN
Community Activist since 1987
The State of the “Women’s Sector”
GFA – Women’s CoalitionLack of EqualityWhere are the Women? Quotas or not?Issues we are left with!
What do we want and when?
From Equity to Equality
Where are the Women?
The population of Northern Ireland is
1.8 million out of this population it is estimated that 49% are male and
51% female
Women in PoliticsNational Government Stormont Assembly
18%
72%
Men
Women
Current Progress
At the current rate of progress, gender equality of MLAs at
Stormont will only take another
16 cycles = 65 years
MEP’s
31%
69%
European
FemaleMale
67%
33%
Northern Ireland
FemaleMale
Female Prime MinisterIn the history of the UK politics there
has only ever been one female Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.
She was one of the longest serving Prime Ministers for 150 years holding office from 4th May 1979 until 28th November 1990.
It is undeniable that she made a huge influence on the economy and in UK politics
Margaret Thatcher Quote:
“Any woman who understands the problems of running a home will be
nearer to understanding the problems of running a
country.”
Margaret Thatcher former Prime Minister UK
Houses of Parliament
Nearly 25% of MP’s in the House of Commons are female
In the House of Lords only one fifth of the total members are female
100 years ago there were NO women
Speaker of the House
The statistics for Speaker of the House of Commons is also astonishing in terms of gender equality to women in politics. Only one woman in history has
ever played the role. Betty Boothroyd was the first and
only female speaker of the House being elected as Speaker in 1992.
Women in Local Government
24%
76%
Councils
Men
Women
Current Progress
Women representatives in local council are slightly higher than the national government however once
again it would take thirteen elections, spanning
52 years to reach gender balance in councils
“A society that is without the voice and vision of women is not less feminine, it is less human”.
Words from:
Mary Robinson former President of Ireland and UN High Commissioner for Human Right
QuotasFOR OR AGAINST
THAT IS THE QUESTION?Is it about the best person for the
job?Does it undermine women? Does it make them feel like
token’s –unequalIs it a necessary evil?
Pros for Quotas: +1. Quotas are the quickest and most effective
way to ensure more equal numbers of men and women on boards.
2. Quotas force the break up of elite circles that might otherwise remain unchallenged.
3. If women are promoted into positions of power, they can act as positive role models for others.
4. Once on the board, women are more likely to hire more women.
5. Quotas are not discriminatory, they simply correct existing discrimination.
Cons for Quotas: -1. Quotas discriminate against the
individual men who happen to be running against a woman for a seat.
2. If women are engaged through quotas, they will be seen as "token", will be less respected and will have less power.
3. Quotas set women against each other, competing for a certain number of "women's seats", which might destroy co-operation and unity.
4. Instating a quota might lend to view them as a ceiling rather than a floor on the number of women, stalling progress on equality in the long run.
What has to happen?Community Programmes
Women into Public Life ProjectThe project aims to address the continuing under representation of women in decision making roles and influence the development of policies to address the issue.
HOW? Training –Grassroots and Strategic
Leadership Advocacy Mentoring and Shadowing Campaigning
Women into PoliticsThis regional organisation was set up in order to target gender equality and help to push for more women into politics and roles which are normally filled by the majority of malesWomen’s participation in politicsWomen’s participation in electionsViolence against womenEqual opportunities for womenEqual pay grades for women
Context: What does the future hold?
Northern Ireland The conflict in Northern Ireland lasted
between 1969 and 1994. Peace Making and Community Development.
Issues Childcare Domestic Violence Resources Exclusion Reproductive rights Continuing Polarisation Segregated Education Systems The lack of women in Public Life
for shaping the future
FINAL THOUGHT “Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail”Ralph Waldo Emerson
Thank You
Catherine CookeFoyle Women’s Information Network
12-14 The DiamondDerry/ Londonderry
BT48 6HW www.fwin.org.uk
catherine@fwin.org.uk