LW : Despite resistance quotas gain support
Issued : Wednesday 4 August, 2010
Labour Women react to the survey in today's Irish Times by welcoming the support for quotas from Irish women TDs.
Katherine Dunne, Labour Women Chair said: "Quotas are a very difficult thing to push as there is a perception that they are giving women an easy way into politics. Therefore it is encouraging to see so many women TDs support quotas as a measure which would make the Dáil more democratic and give women a say in the decision-making.
"Gender quotas need not mean that "token" women candidates are selected who are not up to the job; rather they would ensure that all parties make the effort to seek out talented women and put the supports in place to get them elected.
"A common argument against quotas is that they are undemocratic and work against meritocracy, whereby the best candidates get selected. A system in which 50% of the population is represented by 13% of TDs represents a much greater affront to democracy and fails to deliver the critical mass of women legislators required for true progress. Candidates are frequently selected for reasons other than merit, such as family connections or being favoured by the incumbent TD.
"Quotas are only part of the solution. Measures are needed for better childcare facilities, cross-party fundraising networks for women, mentoring programmes and increased political education targeted at girls. The implementation of legally binding quotas is equally important, as unless political parties change their habits of selecting mostly male candidates, any other measures will be redundant.
"Research has shown that a critical mass of female politicians is required for women-friendly policies to make it onto the statute books. With only 13% women TDs no wonder they have to fit into the male-dominated political setting.
"The women TDs who oppose quotas lament the lack of women in politics but do not seem to be able to suggest what exactly to do about it. What is most disappointing is that the Minister for Equality Mary White cannot bring herself to support a measure which is most probably the only way to increase women's political participation."
