Media Profiling of Women in Politics

national | consumer issues | opinion/analysis

Saturday September 01, 2007 13:47

by C Murray

and some political issues too...

Last week, Joan Burton, a highly talented finance spokesperson and stalwart of the
Labour Party withdrew her candidacy from the running for leadership of the Labour
Party (a centrist concern with a pre-election pact with a right wing party). She cited
lack of internal party support for her decision and nominated herself for deputy leader.
This is a problem, for the preceeding forty eight hours The Irish independent
Newspaper had been running the Gilmore story on both front page and editorial
columns as The main bet for leadership, There is no other candidate declared.
Deputy leader Liz Mc Manus is delaying nomination until later in the week.
The profiling of women in irish politics, especially in mainstream parties relegates
women to secondary positions, indeed a cursory glance at the papers indicates
that politics is indeed a 'Job for the Boys', Tony O Reilly says so and he makes a lot
of profit out of it.

1982 Poster from Isis in Oz.

Heres a list of names of women decision makers in Political circles, or those who
have effected National Political Debate:- (in no particular pecking order);-

Ms Justice Mary Laffoy. (Judge)
Mary Lou Mc Donald.(MEP)
Patricia Mc Kenna.(Green Party)
Clare Daly.(Socialist Party)
Geraldine Kennedy.(editor)
Councillor Joan Collins.(Ind)
Senator Ivana Bacik (Lab)
Joan Burton. TD(Lab)
Mary Harney.TD/PD
President Mary Mc Aleese.
Mary Couglan TD.(FF)
Dr Muireann ni Bhrolochain.(CST)
Liz Mc Manus TD.(Lab)
Rosanna Flynn.(RAR)
Ailbhe Smith.(WRC)
Deirdre Clancy.(Institute of Feminism and Religion/Irish Anti-war)
Glenda Cimino.(Anti-war)
Kristina Mc Elroy.(GP)
Karen Lillington.(journalist on tech)
Mary White TD(GP)
Senator Mary O Rourke.(FF)

(compare and contrast their % of media coverage with that of their male counterparts).

The Labour Party ; and I am sure other politcial Parties have active women's groups,
many are affiliated with the National Women's Council of Ireland and the Non-governmental Organisations.One of the re-current themes of their work is how women decision makers
are presented in the media and of course if during a sensitive time, such as
an electoral process parity of esteem is afforded to all candidates, regardless of gender.
Some mainstream political parties have changed their constitutions to ensure
that at selection times there is adequate female candidacy and the process
is fair. Interestingly the constitutional changes effect the process very little with young males
topping the selections-especially in the two traditional parties (FF/FG).

Some groups currently working in Dublin that have equality through all levels
of decision-making:- Choice Ireland, (the Foundation Documents are excellent).
RAR and community groups agagtating for better education and health care for their kids,
The Bin Charges campaign and eco campaigns have women spokespeople.

One of the litmus tests that women who are aware of the contribution of women to debate which
effects community and consequently healthcare and education issues is how women are
represented in their work and decision-making:-
In mainstream press this is equivalent to zilch.practically zero.

We daily absorb headlines about Crime. Death. Rape. Women as victims of
deportation or domestic abuse. We do not see how the women effected are attempting
to redress the balance.

The Burton Story and the overt sexism and lack of esteem afforded to Burton through the
presentation by Irish independent Newspapers is sadly indicative of a lot of mainstream
media approach to issues that are directly pertinent to women. This morning the
Barrington's Hospital scandal underscores victimisation of patients at institutional
level.The media presentation of the story again, as in the case of the Neary inquests
presents women as victims and the patient groups must work long and hard for
fair hearing and redress.

Some docs and adresses:-
http://doc.indymedia.org/view/Global/ImcWomyn
http://www.isis.aus.com
http://www.nwci.ie
http://www.womensaid.org
http://europeanfeministforum.org
http://www.isiswomen.org (manila)

2007 saw one of the lowest returns of women to the Dail, with FF nominating more
men to the senate than before. Green Party have gained one male senator, and one
female TD. SF have lost Mary Lou in North Dublin but she retains Europe. Pat Mc Kenna
sought nomination as leader of the GP , but John Gormley (Minister for Environment)
continued the process of male leadership in the Dail/parlimentary and party leadership.

[are Mary Harney and Mary Mc Aleese the only active women politicians in the country?]