SMALL BRANCHES CONFERENCE: 3 - WOMEN’S REPRESENTATION IN SMALL STATES
SMALL BRANCHES CONFERENCE Colombo, Sri Lanka
32nd 3rd Session - 10 September 2012
STRATEGIES TO INCREASE WOMEN’S REPRESENTATION IN PARLIAMENTS IN SMALL STATES
Chairperson: Ms Paula Biggar, MLA, Deputy Speaker of the Prince Edward Island Legislative Assembly
Discussion Leaders: Hon. Maria Payet-Marie, MP, Seychelles Hon. Anthony Green, MLC, St Helena Hon. Lovitta Foggo, MP, Chief Government Whip, Bermuda Ms. Kemi Ogunsanya, Gender and Political Development Adviser, Commonwealth Secretariat
Changes to the way Parliaments and political parties operate and to the way serving women Parliamentarians work are necessary to increase the numbers of women in small Parliaments, said participants in this discussion. It was argued that gender mainstreaming is critical for sustainable development, good governance, transparency and accountability, and that women as agents for change can transform societies. Parliaments must therefore implement changes to promote language that is gender- neutral and behaviour that is non-confrontational. Establishing women’s parliamentary caucuses or parliamentary committees on gender were suggested, as was alternating key House posts between the genders. Family-friendly sitting hours, childcare facilities and parental leave for Parliamentarians were also advocated, as was providing gender- sensitivity training programmes.
304 | The Parliamentarian | 2012: Issue Four Political party structures need
to change to bring about equitable representation of women, such as having quotas for women in candidates lists at elections. Legislated quotas for women’s representation could be used. Political party support for gender mainstreaming was seen as critical not simply to get more women elected but also to gather support for any necessary parliamentary and constitutional reforms to transform the institution of Parliament into a gender-neutral institution. Women already in office were
urged to diversify their policy priorities to include economics, finance, employment, agriculture, foreign affairs and other issues so they go beyond the gender agenda. Women MPs must lead to inspire people and change perceptions, as well as to educate people about politics and the need for more women in elected seats. Capacity-building workshops for women were suggested, as was
using present and past politicians to remove some of the reluctance to being a politician and to mentor newcomers.
Agents of change In various societies, for example in war-torn and impoverished countries, females are responsible for the family. Many such societies, through the informal economy, have witnessed the rise in women and they have subsequently had a stronger voice and a more influential say. When such societies and they themselves realize their power, women can then use it as a tool to sway the political installation of greater female representation within political arenas. Studies have shown that the under-representation of women is mostly symptomatic of: persistent gender stereotypes, conflict between family and work demands, patriarchy and the lack of an enabling political environment, inadequate funding to support female candidates, the