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Women, Politics and Elections
September - October 2008
Number 26 - Party Conference Special
Contents
UK News
• 2008: Women and the Vote 1
receptions at 2008 Party
Conferences
• Liberal Democrats launch 2
‘Diversity Engagement Group’
• Dawn Butler becomes first Black 2
female Minister
• Government and Party 2
Frontbench reshuffles
International News
• Rwandans make history 2
• Election season - Slovenia,
Austria and Lithuania go to the
2-3
Women and the Vote
receptions hit the Party
polls
• New Zealand celebrates 115 3
Conferences
years of women’s suffrage
• Tzipi Livni becomes the new 4
leader of the Kadima Party
• Wellington sticks with STV 4
No political year is ever complete a window into their own experiences
Events & Publications 5 without the party conference season. in Parliament as well insights into
• Electoral Reform Society stand 5 And the same was true this year, in further developments within their own
and workshop at STUC Women’s particular for the organisations behind parties. While Lynne Featherstone,
Conference
the 2008: Women and the Vote Dawn Butler and Barbara Follett all
• BAME Councillors Taskforce 5 campaign. outlined their journeys into Parliament
event in Birmingham 17th October
and politics more generally, offering a
• Fawcett Society events 5 As announced in the last women’s personal account of their motivations
• ‘Women Take Part’ Report 5 newsletter, the 2008: Women and and the difficulties they first
• ‘Sex and Power’ Report 5
the Vote campaign was represented encountered upon entering the House
at the Liberal Democrats, Labour, of Commons, Theresa May gave an
Getting Involved 6 and Conservative Party conferences overview of what the Conservative
holding a reception at each of these Party have and look to achieve in
events. And with speakers ranging terms of diversity, which was both
from Lynne Featherstone at the encouraging and insightful.
Liberal Democrats to Dawn Butler
and Barbara Follett at Labour as well Although each speech was in many
as Theresa May and Katherine Rake ways different, the basic message
at the Conservative Party event, one of all of them was the same: while
could have anticipated that nothing we can and should be celebrating
much could go wrong. 90 years of women’s suffrage, there
is still much more that needs to be
But not even the most experienced done before we can truly say that we
conference goer could have expected have the diverse and representative
the welcome that the campaign Parliament that a society like the UK
received. A number of excellent both needs and deserves.
speakers provided the audience with
1
UK NEWS
Liberal Dawn Butler, first The proportion of women attending
cabinet has dropped from a high point
Democrats Black female of 39% at the beginning of 2008 to the
current level of 30%
launch ‘Diversity MP to become
Engagement Minister On the opposition benches
Conservatives now have 6 women in
Group’ In September this year Dawn Butler
a team of 29, the Liberal Democrats 4
out of 27.
made history as the first ever Black
female MP to be promoted to a Following the move of Barbara Follett
ministerial position. Following the to the DCMS, Maria Eagle assumes
departure of Siobhain McDonagh, her former role as Under-Secretary for
Ms Butler was made Assistant Whip Women & Equalities, assisting Harriet
on 12th September, just two weeks Harman who remains as Minister for
before the start of Black History Month Women.
2008. The Electoral Reform Society
Fitting in with the theme of the 2008: wishes her all the best in her new For a detailed outline of the
Women and the Vote reception position. changes, please go to the following
was the launch of the ‘Diversity websites: Dods and BBC, or visit the
Engagement Group’ led by Vince parliamentary website, from which the
Cable. The group was established
on the back of a internal report by Government and information above was derived.
Liberal Democrat National Diversity Party Frontbench
reshuffles
Adviser Issan Ghazni titled ‘Barriers to
Benefits’ and will monitor the progress
of the party towards increased
diversity. The latest round of reshuffles has
made a modest impact on the number
The report recommends amongst of women in front line politics.
other things that a diversity fund and
equality impact assessment is set up, The number of women in the
and more regional and national targets cabinet is now 5 out of 23. Female
for candidate selection are set to help ministers entitled to attend cabinet
increase diversity. push the figures up to 10 out of 33.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
Rwandans make In fact, it is now the only and first
internationally recognised country in
and Argentina, the UK still lags
far behind in 59th position behind
history the world to have a majority of female
Parliamentarians, with 56.3 percent of
countries such as Spain, Mozambique
and Afghanistan.
Rwanda’s history has for many years its Parliament being women, or 45 out
been one of violence and civil war. of 80.
Election season -
Slovenia, Austria
However, it seems that the country
has, despite its past or perhaps According to the All Africa news
wire 25 of these women were
because of it, progressed further and
faster than any other country in the voted in through the quota system, and Lithuania go
world when it comes to the political
representation of women. In fact,
which reserves 30 percent of all
parliamentary seats for women, young to the polls
Rwanda has once more made history. people and the disabled. However,
women took also a further 20 seats September and October this year
from the general list, which elects were busy months for general
Following the second set of elections. First, there was Slovenia,
parliamentary elections since the its representatives via a proportional
representation system. then Austria and then most recently
unrest in the 1990s, which took place Lithuania, all deciding on who should
mid-September this year, Rwanda be running their country for the years
has re-affirmed its position as the While Rwanda is leading the table
in terms of women’s representation, to come. This article will look at these
country leading the world league table elections from a gender perspective.
in terms of female representation. followed closely by Sweden, Finland
2
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
Slovenia level, but also reduces their chance of
gaining access to Parliament through Lithuania
national compensation seats. This is
Slovenia went to the polls on 21st because their electoral performance Last but not least, Lithuania went to
September. Historically, women have directly influences their place on the the polls on 12th October, deciding
been underrepresented at all levels national list. A poor performance on the future of their 141-member
of government since 1990 and the means that women are pushed to strong Parliament. Lithuania uses a
change to a multi-party system. In the the bottom of the party list and into semi-proportional mixed-member
National Assembly the proportion of electoral oblivion system, also called ‘Parallel system’
women has fluctuated between a low electing 70 Members of Parliament
of 7.8 percent in the 1996 to a high by proportional representation from a
Austria
of 13.3 percent in 2000. Women are nation-wide list and the rest directly
also largely absent from Slovenia’s on the constituency level by First-
most important offices and positions Past-the Post. The latter candidates
of influence. Only one female minister Next up was Austria, with elections need at least 50 percent of the vote
was appointed to the Cabinet in having been held on 28th September. in their particular constituency to be
2004 despite a declared ambition by With the press having concentrated counted as elected. If no candidate
the Prime Minister to appoint more on the rise of the far right in this year’s receives more than half of the votes
women. Nationalrat elections, it is interesting in the first round, the two candidates
to understand what these political with the most votes will stand again in
This year’s elections were no different, changes have meant for the number a second round. During the elections
despite this being the first time parties of female Parliamentarians in the on 12th October only 4 of the
had to adhere to a legal quota obliging Nationalrat. constituency candidates were elected,
them to put at least 25 percent of with the rest facing a second round
female candidates on their lists (this Overall, 48 of Austria’s of elections on 26th October. Final
quota will increase to 35 percent in Parliamentarians are now women, results will therefore be announced by
the future). Again, only a13.3 percent 10 less than following the elections the end of October.
of all Assembly Members are women, in 2006. Leading the way in terms of
putting Slovenia in 85th position on women’s representation is the Green Before these latest elections, Lithuania
the world league table and about 5 Party with 45 percent of its elected came 43rd in the world league table
percent below the world average. Parliamentarians being women, on women’s representation. Lithuania’s
followed by the Social Democrats new position in the world league table
There are a number of obstacles to (SPÖ) with 36.8 percent, the Austrian remains to be seen and is dependent
greater involvement of women in People’s Party (ÖVP) with 19.6 percent on the second round of elections on
politics in Slovenia. These include and the FPÖ with 17.6 percent. 26th October.
the small size of the legislature, Lagging clearly behind is the BZÖ who
unfavourable electoral laws and only 2 female elected Members out of
parties’ reluctance to adopt measures 21 altogether, presenting the dominant
to promote women or help them to contributor to the fall of the number of New Zealand
enter politics, as well as a lack of
awareness and support for women
women in the Austrian Parliament.
celebrates 115
entering politics. As the figures outlined above may
still slightly change over the next
years of women’s
In addition, the particular electoral month and will only be confirmed suffrage
system Slovenia uses also has an on 28th October 2008 when the
impact. Despite the proportional Parliament is being sworn in, we will One hundred and fifteen years ago,
allocation of seats - something look at Austria in more detail again in New Zealand became the first country
that normally counts in favour of our next newsletter. It is interesting to extend suffrage to all women.
women - Slovenian ballot papers to note that the particularities of the Kate Sheppard, the leader of the
resemble those used under FPTP, in Austrian electoral system allow for suffrage struggle, collected over
that electors can only vote for single small changes in the make-up of 31,000 signatures during a seven year
candidates and not party lists. This Parliament up until the announcement campaign for the enfranchisement
gives the parties huge influence over of Government as Abgeordnete of women, which was presented to
candidate choice, with districts being promoted to Government are normally Parliament in 1893. White Camellia
divided into winnable and un-winnable replaced by MPs on the so-called Day, or Suffrage Day, was celebrated
ones, as happens in the UK. waiting list. Currently, there are 10 once again this year on September
potential candidates on the waiting 19th; those who supported the
Placing women candidates in list, 5 from the SPÖ, and 5 from the 1893 Electoral Bill were presented
unwinnable seats not only ensures ÖVP. 6 out of the 10 are women. with a white camellia to wear in their
that they fail to win at the district buttonholes, and the flower came to
3
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
symbolize women’s suffrage in New the mayor, councillors, and community
Zealand. board members, by which time the
system should be established enough
Nelly Perryman, The White Ribbon to be able to demonstrate its benefits
editor, captured the importance of to voters and democracy.
the struggle 25 years after in the
following words: “We, the mothers of Before STV was introduced in 2004,
the present, need to impress upon our the number of female councillors in
children’s minds how women of the Wellington stood at 42 percent. This
past wrestled and fought, suffered and number was reduced to 36 percent
wept, prayed and believed, agonised following the first STV elections.
and won for them the freedom they However, it seems that with the new
enjoy today.” system having had time to settle in,
the benefits to women in particular are
Tzipi Livni to lead being felt. At the last elections in 2007,
the number of women councillors has
Kadima Party risen to 57 percent (Local Authority
Statistics, The Department of Internal
On Thursday 18th September, Tzipi Affairs, New Zealand).
Livni, previously Foreign Minister of
Israel’s ruling Kadima Party emerged
as the winner of a close race between
Shaul Mofaz and herself for the role
of leader of the party. Her election
follows the departure of Ehud Olmert,
who the media claim was plagued by
corruption allegations.
Ms Livni is now entrusted with the
task to form a coalition Government
within 42 days of election. Should she
succeed, this will make her Israel’s
second ever female Prime Minister.
Should she fail, the country will hold a
general election putting her position in
question.
Most recent reports show that Ms
Livni may be one step closer to being
announced leader of the Government
as Israel’s Labour party seems to have
agreed to form a coalition.
Wellington sticks
with STV
The results are in! This September,
Wellington, New Zealand, conducted
a poll in which registered voters were
able to decide to either stick with
their current electoral system for local
elections, the Single Transferable Vote
(STV) or return to the system used
before its introduction, First Past the
Post (FPP). STV won with 50.46% of
the votes. The Wellington City Council
will now continue to use STV for at
least the 2010 and 2013 elections of
4
EVENTS
Electoral Confirmed speakers include: that while women’s representation in
8 categories of the top 25 posts have
Reform Society Birmingham councillors Salma
Yaqoob & Paulette Hamilton, Shaista
increased, 5 categories have remained
unchanged since the 2007 index, and
workshop at the Gohir, Muslim Women’s Network, 12 categories have seen a drecrease
STUC Women’s Narmada Thiranagama, TUC, Cllr
Anjana Patel, Harrow London and
in the number of women. Even at the
heart of government, women MPs at
Conference many others. Westminster currently only represent
19.3% out of all MPs.
The Electoral Reform Society will be You can download flyers for the events
present at this year’s STUC Women’s using the links on the right. Compared to the previous year’s
Conference on 17th & 18th November To register to attend or for more prediction (40 years), the index now
2008 in Perth, Scotland. The Society information email indicates that it will take 15 years
will be running a stall on both days events@fawcettsociety.org.uk longer for women to achieve equal
as well as organise a workshop on or tel 0207 253 2598. status at senior levels of employment.
17th November from 2pm – 3.30pm. Nicola Brewer, Chief Executive of
The workshop will discuss women’s the Equality and Human Rights
representation in local Government
following the first ever STV elections
‘Sex and Power’ Commission stated, “We always
speak of a glass ceiling. These figures
in Scotland and provide some Report reveal that in some cases it appears to
be made of reinforced concrete.”
information on how women can make
the new system work for them. “A snail could crawl the entire length
of the Great Wall of China in 212 Indeed, it is time to throw away the old
For further information about the years, just slightly longer than the chisel; jackhammers were invented for
STUC Women’s Conference, please 200 years it will take women to be a reason.
go to the STUC website. equally represented in Parliament,”
reports the Equality and Human For a copy of the full report, please
Rights Commission in its fifth annual go to the Equality and Human Rights
Commission website.
‘Empowered to publication, Sex and Power, that
measures women’s involvement in
vote: Political positions of power and influence.
empowerment The report frequently alludes to “a
for ethnic snail’s progress” in order to symbolize
the slow (and in some cases,
minority women’ stalled) progression of women in top
positions. The 2008 index indicates
Thursday 23rd October,
Deaf Cultural Centre,
Birmingham B16 8SZ
In honour of Black History Month,
Fawcett will be holding free events
bringing politics to ethnic minority
women. If you are an ethnic minority
women not yet registered to vote
come along to:
• Hear inspiring talks by ethnic
minority women political activists
• Speak to local Councillors about
their role
• Explore the relevance of politics to
you
• Learn how Birmingham City Council
& the Greater London Authority works
• Find out who to contact on issues
that affect you
5
GET INVOLVED
EVENTS & PUBLICATIONS
The 2008: Women and the Vote
campaign, of which the Electoral
Reform Society is an active partner,
is still on-going and it needs your
support more than ever!
Visit www.womenandthevote.com
and show your support by signing up
to our statement!
And if you want to be even more
involved, why not become a
member?
Membership of the Society entitles
you to our quarterly newsletter The
Voter, the opportunity to receive
Representation, our journal on
all things electoral, as well as the
prospect to become an elected
member of our Council.
For further information, please go to:
www.electoral-reform.org.uk/join
6
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