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