Report
won't help women to reach top in politics
From NEWS LETTER May 21st, 1999
The problem with the report is that many of its criticisms are spurious
and they undermine the credibility of the research. More worryingly, some
of the claims are patently innacurate. In addressing the issue of women
in politics, there is much to learn from the experience of the 300 Group,
a cross-party organisation aimed at getting that number of women elected
to Westminster, regardless of their personal politics.
It operated out of its own offices, commissioned detailed reports and published
glossy brochures. It was a spectacular failure because it failed to recognise
that all women in politics are not the same. As the 1997 General Election
demonstrated, Labour was the only party which significantly increased the
number of women candidates and MPs.
This was the result of women changing the party from within. It was the
result of actions, not words. And those women are in the news now not because
of their gender but because of their political achievements. Northern Ireland,
I am convinced, will have more women politicians and will be a better place
for it.
The media does have a role to play and perhaps in some areas we have not
fulfilled our obligations. When we do err, we want to be told, but in a
way that is convincing, credible, factual and irrefutable. Only then can
we take whatever action is necessary to put things right. |
