Comment: Are gender quotas in favour of women working?

AVA CARROLL, a sixth year student at Ashbourne Community School has been researching and collecting data on the status of women in Irish democracy as part of her politics and society studies

Gender quotas were introduced into the Irish government years ago - but have they really changed women's status in democracy?

Before the 2016 General Election, the Oireachtas brought in a new legislation requiring that political parties meet a requirement- namely that at least 30 per cent of their candidates for TD positions must be female (and 30 per cent male). If this legislation was not met by a party, their official funding would be cut in half.

This act was introduced in response to Ireland’s poor representation of women in politics. At the first Dáil in 1918, one woman was elected to the British Parliament at Westminster, Countess Markievicz, who represented a Dublin constituency. By the 22nd Dáil in 1918, seven per cent (11) women were elected, and in 1992, the 27th Dáil, 12 per cent (20) women were elected. Only in 2016 when the gender quotas came into play, 30 per cent of the 551 total candidates were women, and a total of 35 women were elected. This is an increase from the previous 15 per cent of 566 candidates in the 2011 election where 25 women were elected. Overall, women made up 22 per cent of the 32nd Dáíl in 2016, a 38 per cent increase from the 2011 figures. Evidence of improvement on the inclusion of women is obvious due to the quotas, giving more opportunity for women to become involved in politics.

Although the gender quotas successfully made political representation slightly more gender inclusive, was it the right solution? Or are they just more degrading towards women? Instead of making Ireland’s democracy more gender balanced, some women feel it's unfair and counterproductive. In some cases, the quotas could make women more of a target with whispers questioning: "was she hired because she deserves the role or was she hired to fulfil a legal obligation?"

In 2011, no parties met the 30 per cent threshold, while in 2016 all parties met the 30 per cent requirement. This again raises the concern: Are women being elected just to fill a political percentage?

One of Ireland’s main problems with gender imbalance is article 41.2 of the Irish Constitution. Article 41.2 states:

1. In particular, the State recognises that by her life within the home, woman gives to the State a support without which the common good cannot be achieved.

2. The State shall, therefore, endeavour to ensure that mothers shall not be obliged by economic necessity to engage in labour to the neglect of their duties in the home.

Since the publication of the Constitution, particularly in the last few decades, there have been calls at a national and international level to amend or remove Article 41.2. Ideally, this could be replaced with gender neutral language and recognising carers in the home, rather than what could be perceived as patronising women.

While Ireland is becoming more progressive and gender balanced, tackling gender quotas, overall imbalance, and changing Article 41.2 to gender neutral language would be a huge step for women in Ireland. However, it cannot be denied that as if we as a country are progressively improving and will hopefully see a gender balanced future for women in democracy.