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Inquirer on...Women in politics
Bare with me on this...I promise I’m not about to go on some feminist rant about politics. I assure you I’m not what you would call a feminist. Yes I believe that women should have equal rights, employment opportunities etc, that men do, but I also accept that there are some things men can do that women just can’t.
However, my feminist side was brought out by two events over the past few months. The first was the lack of women in the newly announced cabinet, and the second was the fact that when I was handing out articles for this election orientated comment section for the last copy of Inquire I got a huge response of people wanting to write about their opinion on this election. Well, I say people; there was a huge response from men. In the issue and on the website every article, bar this article by me, is written by a man.
They are all very good articles and of course I urge you to read them and discuss. However, I did not get a single female want to take on an article about politics.
Furthermore, there are still far more men than women in politics and we are severely under-represented in this new coalition cabinet. You’d think that from two parties you would be able to cobble together more women. However, this is my point. I am glad that the new government has not paid attention to getting more women in the cabinet as it shows that they have paid more attention to who is better qualified for the role; clearly in this case the men were the better candidates.
My question however is why is this? If you have any thoughts on this article and want to discuss it further, please leave a comment and tell us your views on the matter.
Hi Kirsten. Thanks for your post. We will be holding weekly meetings when term starts again. The meetings are open to all students at the university and, if you have paid your membership fee, you will be eligible to write articles for us. Add us on Facebook in order to receive regular updates. We will also have a stall at the Freshers Fayre, so make sure you sign up!
By website-editor on 8.9.2010
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I am a girl and today I specifically came to the Inquire site in order to find out how I could begin submitting articles specifically about politics. I am very passionate about our country and what to write about it!
So, what do think of them apples?!
No really, I think it is just not very publicised that anyone on campus CAN write for Inquire. If it was therefore more people would come forward! Plus, from my experience, although girls are outnumbered in being politically vocal, those which do take an interest are just as capable.
Looking at the cabinet there are only two women, but there is hardly a bevy of women MPs on the benches behind to chose from. Women seem less attracted to becoming MPs. Although in parliament, personal assistants, researchers and special advisors are roles all filed by women.
By Kirsten McDonagh on 7.9.2010
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Women aren't encourged enough to go into politics and other predominantly male arenas by society and the media. When women like Cheryl Cole win 'Woman of the Year Awards' we are clearly suggesting that the suitable role models for our young women are celebrities - not women successful in politics, or business.
I disagree with your understanding that you're "not what you would call a feminist". Being a feminist has established a bad reputation which surely only highlights the fact that the sexes are still not completely equal. It is about equality for women - not the superiority of women. You should be proud to be a feminist, not ashamed of it.
By Terri Hounsom on 5.7.2010
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