Madam, - I am reluctant to respond to Gemma Hussey's suggestion (October 1st) that women's organisations are not doing enough to encourage women into politics, lest male readers should perceive our difference of opinion as a "catfight" between women. As a feminist who has spent her life working at local and national levels, I am not surprised that only 38 per cent of women surveyed in the recent Irish Times poll said that politics was important.
The two main political parties, at least, are not remotely concerned about why more women are not selected to stand for the Dáil; they appear to be quite happy with the status quo. Otherwise they would examine the substantial international research evidence that would provide them with the answers.
In the meantime, women's organisations - whether or not they are "better funded than ever" - know very well from their daily contact with women that women see political parties, apart from being male-dominated, as boring, having outdated structures, and inclined to run away from issues that concern women.
It is not the first time a woman politicians, or former one, has
criticised women's organisations on this subject. Perhaps the blame
should be laid where it belongs. - Yours, etc,
NOREEN BYRNE,
Castleknock,
Dublin 15.
Madam, - It is good to see that most women in Ireland feel satisfied with life, as revealed by the recent Irish Times survey.
It is not surprising that only 9 per cent see politics as important. The public image of politics is too often focused on the "blood sport" of the wrangling and trading of insults between parties and the jostling for power between factions within parties. Nor, in the era of tribunals, is it surprising that only 21 per cent of women trust politicians.
There seems to be a gap between women's lives and politics. Yet the reality is that politics affects our lives profoundly, from the bus service we use to the health care we receive. The Labour Party has acknowledged this in the development of its policies, which resulted in 64.5 per cent of the votes cast for the party in the recent general election coming from women.
All political parties need to work harder to close the gap between women's high level of activity in improving their communities and their relative lack of engagement with the political process.
All political parties must examine their structures and
practices to ensure women know they have a place in politics. -
Yours,etc,
SINÉAD NÍ CHULACHÁIN,
Chair,
Labour Women,
Ely Place,
Dublin 2.