Sir, – Imposing quotas, whether it is in politics or elsewhere, is never of itself the solution but what quotas do is focus minds and draw attention to inequalities.
It is only by having a true divergence of opinions and views that we can have a truly equal society.
It is not about keeping men out but about drawing in more women. We hear of the “token” woman but how come we never hear about the “token” man? – Yours, etc,
Cllr ANNE-MARIE
DERMODY,
Rathfarnham,
Dublin 14.
Sir, – Marginalising the talents, interests and insights of women in democratic, decision-making institutions is not to the benefit of anyone.
Increasing the representation of the more than half of the electorate that are women should, therefore, make our democracy more efficient and more representative.– Yours, etc,
A LEAVY,
Sutton,
Dublin 13.
Sir, – Although it saddens me that we have to discuss gender quotas at all, I do believe Kathy Sheridan's article ("Gender quota debate gets unreal about 'real' women", Opinion & Analysis, March 11th) is helpful to keep the debate live and at the forefront of people's minds.
I grew up in a political household. Therefore the decision to become a candidate in the last local elections may not have been as difficult for me as for other women. I was the only female Fine Gael councillor in Dublin Rathdown to be elected. More is the pity.
Businesswomen with years of experience have a lot to offer in the political arena. We know exactly how to influence policy and legislature for the benefit of the entire family.
Entering politics, however, as a woman, married or not, with young children, is not an easy decision.
Our schools need to educate girls from a young age and proper supports for working women, including reasonable childcare, need to be implemented.
Society needs to change its attitude.
Then one day there will be no need for gender quotas at all. – Yours, etc,
Cllr JOSEPHA MADIGAN,
Mount Merrion,
Co Dublin.
Sir, – It’s not “party elites” that select party candidates – it is the ordinary members of parties.
Surely in the “democratic revolution” we are currently supposedly enjoying, we should be encouraging “bottom-up” participation in political parties where distribution of power is decentralised and broadened.
Instead, measures such as gender quotas have potentially the opposite effect, pushing (because of the very legitimate fear of a crushing financial penalty) a greater share of selections and control into elite selection committees close to the top of party hierarchies.
The truth is that only a small minority of men – and an even smaller minority of women – have the necessary supports and resources to consider putting themselves forward for selection and election. Gender quotas will do absolutely nothing to broaden access to political candidature; they simply ensure that those women that already have the necessary supports and resources can bypass selection conventions to get on the ticket.
By all means use proactive measures to give more women the resources to put themselves forward for selection. Let them put themselves before their peers and seek their approbation.
But don’t further undermine the rights of ordinary members of political parties to select who their candidates should be. – Yours, etc,
DJ MOORE,
Naas,
Co Kildare.