BY MICHELE CANNING SMITH
WOMEN are being sent out a negative message after the assembly failed to set up a working group to address the lack of females in politics.
That's the view of Plumbridge MLA Claire McGill, one of a handful of women who sit in the newly formed devolved government.
Of the 108 seats in the assembly, only 18 are occupied by women. Claire is also the sole female voice among elected representatives on Strabane District Council.
Sinn Fein moves to set up a group to address the under-representation of women in politics was rejected on Monday.
A single vote secured an amendment by the DUP and UUP, recognising existing commitments in the Office of First Minister and Deputy First Minister to encourage gender equality.
Claire McGill told us she was somewhat taken aback and disappointed that the combined Unionist bloc, which included women, were opposed to such a progressive step.
"I think that their stance on the issue has sent out a completely negative message to women, not least to women in the unionist community.
"In Ireland today, women are still not fully represented in either national politics or in local government decision-making structures.
"Men continue to dominate all our cultural, social, economic, legal and political institutions.
"We need to recognise that there are very real barriers they face," said the MLA, who was present for the debate and vote on Monday.
"The Sinn Fein motion was designed to highlight the continued under-representation of women in the Assembly and in public life in general and to mandate the Executive to fully implement and resource a comprehensive strategy to tackle this equality issue head on.
"Such under representation does not happen by accident but is caused by inequalities of power and are deepened by other factors such as poverty, educational disadvantage, and lack of access to housing and appropriate health care, violence and isolation.
Claire says it takes political vision and will to change things, but it can be done.
"All political parties have a responsibility to ensure that more women are elected to the assembly and other political institutions.
"Political parties can and should adopt strategies to increase the number of successful women candidates by using positive action in their recruitment and selection processes.
"They can engage with women's organisations who work at encouraging and supporting women to enable them to become more involved in political life.
"I have no doubt that all of us can reflect on at least one woman in their lives that had a positive role in shaping or directing their future.
"It may be a mother, sister, wife, partner or daughter, but at some stage they have added to making us into the people we are yet extensive discrimination against women in all areas of life still exists.
"Women constitute a diverse group with many talents and life experiences and have many positive attributes to bring to the world of politics.
"Women MLA's can be positive role models for other women to become involved in politics but it is not only the responsibility of women MLA's.
"Everyone has a responsibility to ensure that the barriers to women's participation in all aspects of political life are removed," added the Sinn Fein MLA.
