In a year in which the UK is celebrating a century of women’s suffrage, Women in Politics is calling on Islanders to celebrate the milestone by pushing for further positive change, through female election candidates and greater engagement by women in the political process.
Deputy Louise Doublet – one of only 12 female politicians in the States and a vice-chairwoman of the group – also believes that a women’s forum should be set up to advise and lobby politicians and inform government policy in the same way that the likes of the Jersey Chamber of Commerce and Jersey Hospitality Association do.
And Women in Politics has welcomed this week’s ‘fantastic’ news that New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern is expecting her first child in June and that she plans to take six weeks maternity leave with her husband then becoming a stay-at-home dad, saying it is a powerful message to women and society in general.
Kate Wright from The Diversity Network – Jersey, previously the Women’s Development Forum, and a vice chair of Women in Politics, said: ‘I think it’s very powerful and positive to have role models such as Jacinda Ardern and her husband actively demonstrating that there need not be barriers for working mothers – we can choose as a society to remove them – and that it is perfectly acceptable for fathers to take on the role of primary child-carer if that is what suits the family best. We don’t have to accept stereotypes that limit the choices for both men and women.’
Meanwhile, Deputy Doublet, who is only the second female politician to have a baby while in office, said she hoped that ultimately Women in Politics – which on Monday is holding a drop-in session for women thinking of standing for election – can become the basis for a new think-tank designed to improve government policy.
‘As a States Member I certainly don’t have all the answers and when we have a decision to make we talk to lots of different people. There are groups that represent different interests and we frequently, as States Members, get emails stating their stance on certain issues,’ she said.
‘There is definitely a gap there for a group of women to talk about how particular policy decisions might affect women, families and children. It would just be helpful to me and I think all States Members would find it helpful to have a broader range of views when we are making decisions – ultimately we can only make good decisions if we have a representative view for Jersey.’
Monday’s event, which takes place at the Beresford Street Kitchen between 7.30 pm and 9 pm, will be attended by a number of serving politicians who will answer questions and provide advice on standing for election and life as a States Member. There will also be information about how to fill in a nomination form, how to register to vote and how to make change happen.
The group then plans to run a number of other sessions before May aimed at supporting female candidates.
However, Deputy Doublet said it was not about ‘man bashing’ but working together towards the simple aim of positive change.
‘We want to join with men and not exclude them,’ she said. ‘It is not about threatening them.
‘And actually I think we would be in a good position to speak up for men’s issues in certain areas, such as on male suicide rates and paternity leave.’
Another seminar is due to be held by the group at 2 pm on Saturday 3 February.
