Promoting Balanced Representation of Women and Men in Politics: Insights from Ireland

Sent Parlamentu esk Republiky Tools to promote balanced representation of women and men in politics: A view from Ireland January 25th 2016

ABOUT US ABOUT US

Women for Election Women for Election: who we : who we are? are? The Vision of Women for Election is an Ireland with balanced participation of women and men in political life The Mission of Women for Election is to inspire and equip women to succeed in political life

What What do we do? do we do? Training, mentoring, support for women to take them on the next step of their political journey Demystify access into politics Build cross party movement of women, nationally and internationally Grass roots and non-partisan approach

Our Values Our Values We take an inclusive approach to our work. We aim to support women to engage in politics regardless of their: Political affiliations Age Class Ethnicity Religion Sexual Orientation We believe that the support of men is essential for Women for Election to deliver its mission We take a collaborative rather than adversarial approach to working with other organisations, institutions and groups within the political landscape Women for Election will never use its position to promote or stand against any specific political view

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WHY WE EXIST WHY WE EXIST

Why Whywe weexist exist To provide a practical solution to the problem: 16% of D il (27 seats) are women 95 women ever elected to D il Eireann 21% women elected at city and county council level

Why Whywe weexist exist Only 15 women ever sat at Cabinet in Ireland Our parliament has never been less than 84% male Progress on bringing women into political has been slow and stunted Of the 4,744 parliament seats filled since the first election in 1918, only 262 (6 per cent) have been occupied by women. 89th Ireland s ranking globally, after North Korea and just ahead of South Korea and Libya (IPU, 2016)

Known Barriers Known Barriers The 5 C s CANDIDATE SELECTION CULTURE CASH CHILDCARE CONFIDENCE Common Sense .

Why Whyit itmatters matters The 4 Ps: Process Priorities Policy Power

SOLUTIONS SOLUTIONS IRELAND AS A CASE STUDY IRELAND AS A CASE STUDY

SOLUTIONS SOLUTIONS Women for Election Training, Mentoring and Support for women National advocacy campaign Cross party network of women interested in politics Introductions between talented women and political parties Interacts with women (women at school, university, community, business levels and political parties) Gender Quota s Electoral (Amendment) (Political Funding) Act 2012 30% quota for political party candidates at general election levels Rises to 40% from 2019 Failure to comply 50% cut to annual state funding Interacts with political parties

SOLUTIONS SOLUTIONS Gender Quota s Hard measure Legislative solution Tackles challenges around candidate selection Attempts to interact with systemic issues Acts as a mechanism for change behaviour of political parties Women for Election Softer measure women focused Tackles challenges that women themselves face Demystifies politics and promotes political engagement Acts as an advocate for societal and cultural change

Women for Election Top line strategic overview A more representative democratic system Broader talent pool to innovate and face challenges The top line issues at stake: More robust political and policy decision making Greater social cohesion A more balanced participation of men and women in political life Women for Election s solution: Lack of supportive environment to articulate a political ambition Lack of a roadmap to initiate political engagement The barriers: Culture that perpetuates male dominated politics Lack of awareness of the necessary skill-sets To inspire and equip women to succeed in politics Women for Election s strategy: Tiered training programme Networking and connecting Communications and advocacy Direct support Outcomes for women in politics: More women aspire to a political life Increased numbers of elected women Increased political participation by women Increased numbers of capable women candidates 15

Programmes Programmes INSPIRE: Confidence, Campaign Strategy, Communications All parties and Independents EQUIP: Mentoring and coaching Empowerment Masterclasses in problem areas Access to Research Media Opportunities Discussion Forum Networking Events Introductions Campaign Services Advocacy Ireland s FIRST Political Campaign School 3 day intensive residential All parties and Independents INFORM: Tailored workshops (Universities, Community Groups) Entry level political discussion Community Activism <> Government Universities <> Political activism INTERNATIONAL: Working with women from 17 EU States Women for Election AU Launched Jul 2015

Women for Election Our theory of change Communicating and campaigning on the issues and the need for change Fundraising to bring donors on board as champions and network builders Enabling women in politics to meet, learn from each other and make valuable peer connections Challenge and call out any sexism in politics Specifically highlight research pointing to socio-economic benefits as a result of increased female representation Growing the movement of women for election More women aspire to a political life Increased numbers of capable women candidates Support for candidate women Support for elected women Equip Inspire Inform Increased numbers of elected women Increased political participation by women Enable elected women to access coaching and job-relevant supports Recognise relevance of politics to participants lives Strong advocacy campaign with extensive media support for all candidates Understand the realities, requirements and challenges of political life Enable participants to define and nurture their political ambitions Prepare newly elected representatives to succeed in their role Participants learn the tools and techniques to run an effective election campaign and maximise their winning potential Encourage participants to influence their political system Commitment to engage in the political system Enlarge national and international networks of elected women 17

Women for Election Our theory of change As indicated earlier, our emphasis on individual parts of our pipeline will change depending on whether we are operating in election or non-election year. The two diagrams below illustrate and discuss this differing emphasis: Strategic emphasis during an ELECTION year Strategic emphasis during a NON-ELECTION year 2016, 2017, 2018 (see Appendix for details) 2014, 2015 (see Appendix for details) Growing the movement of women for election is independent of electoral cycle Growing the movement of women for election is independent of electoral cycle Support for candidate women Support for elected women Support for elected women Support for candidate women Inform Inspire Equip Inform Inspire Equip Emphasis on our Inform-Inspire-Equip suite of direct support programmes Our programmatic offerings will be scaled down to a lower level compared to a non-election year Little if any work in relation to candidate women Major emphasis on and advocacy and communications based programme of work to promote ALL women candidates during an election year Reaching 850 women through Inform 2013- 2016 Reaching 350 women through Inspire 2013- 2016 In a election year we expect to maintain Inform sessions at 50% and Inspire sessions at 25% of the non-election year levels. Our work for elected women will be remain at a reduced level in non-election years Reaching 75 women through Equip 2013- 2016 Our work for elected women will peak during the immediate post election period Equip will run at the same levels as a non-election year, i.e. 1 programme per year 18

The story so far Local Elections 2014 The story so far Local Elections 2014 800 women have completed WFE core programmes in Ireland & EU 190 of those contested local or EU elections in Ireland 30% increase in numbers of women running at 2014 Local Elections versus 2009 Of 949 local government seats, 194 women were elected. This is a 33% jump since 2009 figures of 148 and female representation at Local Government is now 21%, up from 16% in 2009 At a European level, for the first time, there are more women representatives. 6 of the 11 Members of the European Parliament from Ireland are women with 2 of the 3 new female MEP s having come through a Women for Election programme. 50% of women elected at local level have been trained by Women for Election

The story so far General Election 2016 The story so far General Election 2016 145 female candidates running so far. 30.5% of candidates are female 2011 GE: 86 female candidates ran representing 15% of overall candidate numbers All of larger parties are running over 30% female candidates 85% female candidates from larger parties have already run at some level All constituencies bar 1 have a woman the most ever 26 of 40 constituencies have over 30% female tickets Independent female candidates has doubled (from 12% to 25%)

What has changed What has changed Political Parties actions Forced to select women and they do Discourse Constituents actively recognising value of women in politics Women s engagement Seeing opportunities Media Coverage Interesting stories More female voices on air Women for Election Identified training needs specific to national elections Engaged at some level with all female candidates Training and networking Advocate on behalf of female candidates in particular around controversial selections We have become to go-to organisation for media on this topic

Thank You Thank You www.womenforelection.ie www.womenforelection.ie facebook facebook/ /womenforelection womenforelection Twitter: @women4election Twitter: @women4election

Women for Election Women for Election: : What do we do? What do we do? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qOL2q_XLNmA