Critical Mass

Tuesday, 9 February 2010 at 7:07 pm (Reflective Diary, Step Up Cymru, WIPL Course)
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I have been asked to interview Laura McAllister, Professor of Governance at the University of Liverpool, specialising in Devolution in Wales tomorrow, as part of the Step Up Cymru scheme.  They are creating a series of e-lectures and I have been asked to interview Laura regarding gender inequalities in politics.

It reminded me of the Critical Mass debate I attended November 09, hosted by IWA (Institute of Welsh Affairs) Women, to launch the IWA Group and the new IWA report: Critical Mass, The Impact and Future of Female Representation in the National Assembly for Wales:

Rhodri Morgan, back in 2003, was prompted by an increase in the National Assembly’s representation of women to 50% to say “We understand that we are the only legislature in the world that is perfectly balanced between men and women.  The people of Wales have every right to be proud of having set that new world record.”

However, it is predicted the proportion of female AMs could fall to nearer 30% after the 2011 elections.  This is perilously close to the critical mass of female membership generally regarded as needed in organisations to ensure that their culture is reasonably feminised.

I attended the debate with the view that candidates should be selected on merit.  I, as a potential candidate would not like to think that I perhaps wasn’t the best person for the job, and that it was my gender rather than my skills and abilities that had got me onto a candidate list. 

I think this statement in itself is the first argument for positive action - would not like to think that I perhaps wasn’t the best person for the job – why wouldn’t I be the best person for the job?  Somehow I have been allowed to subconsciously think that I wouldn’t be the best for the job of a politician, perhaps it’s been the lack of positive political role models?  Today the msn homepage shows me the lovely faces of Angelina Jolie, Oprah Winfrey and Kylie Minogue with the headline: ‘Leading Ladies, 10 women who are an Inspiration to us all’.  http://style.uk.msn.com/sex-and-relationships/photos.aspx?cp-documentid=151982767

Not to detract from the fantastic work some of these ladies have done for charities, NGOs, but if you don’t want to be an actress, model…where’s your role model?

Anyhow, I digress. 

So, why do we need positive action (far preferable terminology to Positive Discrimination)?

Because the playing field is not level.

Why is it not level?

Because our society and culture still does not give women the opportunity, merit, role models, to enter positions in public life (as well as leadership within public sector and private sector).  We can have all the legislation in the world, but if women do have the opportunity, or feel able to enter Public Life, we will never have fair representation. 

The Equalities Commission has a fantastic statistic to help us visualise this issue:

Only 19.3% of our MPs are presently women, a snail could crawl the entire length of the Great Wall of China in 212 years, just slightly longer than the 200 years it will take for women to be equally represented in Parliament.

The way the Senedd carries out its work is a cultural change to the workings or ‘drinking clubs’ of Westminster, which Wales deserves to be commended for, but if society doesn’t change its attitude towards women in public life, it is irrelevant.

We need Positive Action to get women into these positions to start with, because without them, despite the well meaning ideas of some males in public life, women’s voices will never be heard or represented, and society will not make it practical and acceptable for women to be a part of public life. 

This has reminded me of a comment that’s stuck with me from a hockey mom (not the infamous one!) when Barack Obama became President of the USA: the day we will have achieved race equality in the USA is when we are not celebrating the election of a black President, but when it is a matter of course. 

Similarly, the day we will have achieve gender equality in public life, is not when political parties candidate policies lead to 50% representation of women in the Senedd, but when we no longer need those policies and achieve 50% as a matter of course. 

Unfortunately, we do not have the level playing field. 

We need Positive Action.   

Please get in touch if you have any questions you would like me to ask Prof Laura MacAllister re: gender inequality in welsh politics.

 

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Reflective Diary – 17th October 2009

Thursday, 22 October 2009 at 10:39 pm (WIPL Course)
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So, another WIPL course day has passed and I have of course, loads more to write, but first I want to finish off what I didn’t complete last time!

Firstly, I spoke to Kate at WMAD who thought I was on the right track with this diary (and that the blog was a super idea!) but to double check that I was including:

  •  Bit of detail
  • What did I learn
  • What am I going to do about it?

So, I re-read what I had written…and it seemed OK, just one point from my action list:

  • Inform myself further on the economy and other areas I do not feel confident in.

Realistically, this is not enough of an action point for me to actually do anything about it, so I must be stricter, actually, this is probably the case with all my actions, oh dear…I feel a spreadsheet coming on!!!!

OK, so I’m setting up a spreadsheet for actions to complete rather than personal attributes I need to adhere to, like ‘not adhering to labels’, although I might compile those on another worksheet for ease of reference!

So, how am I going to inform myself further on the economy etc???  I’m already listening to Radio 4 every morning whilst I get ready for work.  I could listen to it more, but I’m not gonna lie to you, I like bopping about to pop music whilst I’m driving.  So I’m gonna open it out…any suggestions please on how I can inform myself further on the economy – suggestions that don’t take up too much time please, or lots of in-depth reading!!!

 

Step Up Launch in the Senedd last week (October 7th)

So, the Launch.  What a fantastic event.  Congrats to Adam for hosting such a fab event, it was really great to listen to the Liz’s experience (another WIPL graduate!)  Unfortunately my Councillor sent his apologies but it was great to be able to meet some other councillors and AMs and see the other students on an informal basis.  It also gave me time to chat with Jackie my mentor which was really nice.  All in all, the event really motivated me to get my arse into gear so…

I have a meeting with Councillor Nigel Howells of Cardiff City Council Tuesday morning regarding the role shadowing.  He is a Lib Dem councillor and also portfolio holder for Sport, Leisure and Tourism.  When I told one of the other WIPL ladies, she said he is the guy leading a controversial plan to put a road through Bute Park, so I think some interesting times ahead.

I am meeting with Paula (WMAD trainer) and my mentor Friday morning to start us off (which I must do some homework for!).  My mentor is Jackie Radford.  She is a researcher for Eleanor Burnham AM, Lib Dem, North Wales region.  She was also fourth on the Welsh Libe Dems MEP list for the elections May just gone. 

So, expect lots of diary entries next week…or maybe the week after realistically!  Although I’m off to Brecon for the weekend for Christina’s 30th birthday celebrations (I suppose I can sneak dad’s laptop out again like I have this weekend (currently on the train to London! – Sorry Dad!)).

 

October WIPL Course Day

What an interesting day!  I learnt so much!

First up was Jan, lecturer at Cardiff uni.  It was meant to be a session on Women in the Democratic Process but I think she got her weeks confused as we talked about Occupational Segregation (Job Division in not so big scary words) which I think fits under the next months session: Women in the Professions

We discussed how any issue can be looked at in terms of the Individual, societal / cultural and institutional but looked at female specific issues.

For example, women in work:

Institutional:  There are laws (Equal Pay Act, Sex Discrimination Act 1975) which state an employer cannot discriminate against women in the workplace.

Cultural:         However, employers will not look so favourably on job candidates who are of childbearing age (any woman under 35!) so they may not “have the right skills or experience” for the role compared to a man.

Individual:      Childcare is too expensive so a mother may choose not to go into the workplace

I started to think about this on an individual level for myself:

I have never felt like I wanted children, never had that ‘maternal instinct’ that some of my friends (and all ‘normal’ women?!) are supposed to feel.  I’m of course very career minded so it’s never been an issue for me. But what if I did want kids…how would I reconcile the two?  Or maybe subconsciously, the fact that I am career minded has made me be non-child minded as I know the two do not practically mix?! 

And perhaps, if I go for a job interview in the next 7 years I should somehow make it known that I am not wanting children, so as not to affect my chances?!  Is any of that fair (or equal)?

I also learnt that back in the day, women who worked for the civil service were meant to give up work once they married, so they would wear their wedding ring on a chain!  Perhaps if I get married before I’m 35 I better put my ring on a chain for job interviews (and some St Tropez on the ring mark!) so they don’t think I’m about to have babies!

 Hmmm, so now the hard part – what am I going to do about it!!

Well, once again, I’d be interested to hear your experiences of this…

  • have you had negative experiences?
  • Have you entered a certain work sector because you know they are positive towards young women?
  • Are you an employer (particularly SMEs) who has had to reject someone because they didn’t have the “right skills & experience”?

Then, what can I do about it…we have the legislation, but perhaps it isn’t enough?  Perhaps I should read Harriet Harman’s Equality stuff I’ve been hearing about on the radio…yep, I’ll add that to the list!

The cultural part, how on earth are we going to make a dent in that one!  Light bulb moment…

By making employers realise the important contribution young women make to the workplace and so it’s worthwhile to have them despite the time off for maternity leave, and in fact this can actually benefit the employee and employer further by bringing new skills and attributes to the workplace.

Light bulb switched off…How on EARTH are we going to do that!  Action point – think about this one again, making me a little too depressed on a Saturday night trip to London!!!

 But this does actually lead me onto my next reflective point from class.  Some employers do appreciate the benefits staff having time out (sabbaticals) can bring to the workplace.  For example, my boss is supportive of me applying for a leadership and learning two month secondment in Africa.  My friend has been given a 6 or 9 month sabbatical to travel in the New Year. 

BUT:

  • These are sabbaticals for travelling / secondments rather than for having future generations!
  • My friend and I both work in the public sector (a charity and local authority), perhaps more positive about the value these types of experiences bring to the individual and therefore the company, than private sector companies, especially SMEs.  My friends’ boyfriend for example, can not have a sabbatical and has to leave a job he has done for over 10 years.  There is no guarantee he will get a similar job when he returns. 

So, why can’t the same value be placed on maternity leave?  To be fair, I think once again these sectors are actually very good with maternity leave, so maybe it’s that maternity leave is just too costly for private sector organisations and they need more government support?  But once again, I think the value needs to be seen beyond monetary.

Onto the practicalities of mothers going back to work…I learnt that WAG provide 3 hours a day of childcare from age 3, so women may re-enter the workforce.  Great, but:

  1. 3 hours a day, by the time you drop your baby off, maybe drive for 15 mins, you’re not getting long at your workplace are you!  What job could you do in 2.5 hours!!!
  2. Maternity pay stops after 9 months; your job is kept open for another 3 months!  By my calculations, and I’ll admit, I’m not a mathematician, that’s 2 years 3 months you need to be working for, especially if you want to return to your previous job, without any monetary support…something not adding up for me here…can you help me figure it out?  I’d be interested in your experiences once again!

Right, gonna pop the laptop away now as 10 mins to Paddington!  Gonna resist the Krispy Kremes as I said I’d bring the family back some for our Sunday dinner desert tomorrow (I hope they come in dozens, as there’s 5 of us tomorrow and I’d love to have another one Monday :-) ).

http://www.krispykreme.co.uk/

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Position & Participation of Women in Public Life (my homework)

Thursday, 22 October 2009 at 10:25 pm (First Blog, Homework)
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Introduction

I decided to look at the position of Angela Merkel the Chancellor of Germany in the media, as I am keen to enter politics.  She is one of only two women in the G20 group, is one of few female political role models and recently gained a second term as Chancellor (equivalent of our Prime Minister Gordon Brown) in the German election.  This led me to think there would be quite a bit of media coverage of the Chancellor. 

 

Media Coverage

For my first search I entered just her name ‘Angela Merkel’ into a yahoo search engine (appendix 1).  The results included 2 Wikipedia entries, the remaining were profiles or ‘in-depth’ articles on the Chancellor.  My eye was immediately drawn to the Guardian profile (appendix 2) due to the link title: Barbie Doll or Iron Lady.  Interestingly the article however, was called: Angela Merkel: The world’s most powerful woman? (as named by Forbes magazine).  Perhaps the Guardian was using a potentially controversial title in order to draw readers to their website. 

The profile commented on her looks and personality in comparison to other ‘leading ladies’ though not in the literal sense of leading a country, as unfortunately she has few female colleagues in this respect.  The article serves to reinforce the perception I already had about the medias portrayal of women (not confined to female politician) – the lipstick female or battleaxe.  Both of these representations have their own negative connotations: stupid and concerned only with looks and clothes or stern and angry to the point of mean behaviour.  As a young female looking for a positive role model, these representations could cause me to think I have to position myself or behave a certain way to meet these stereotypes.

These stereotypes do not only exist in the media.  An online article from a business advice site reinforces these stereotypes existence, in the business world (appendix 3):

            “Too many women act like bimbos, ball busters or battle-axes” 

This leads to the question, does the media’s stereotyping influence women’s behaviour, or does women’s behaviour influence media representation?

Stuart Allan would argue for the former and I would tend to agree:

            “Consequently a journalist’s deployment of these stereotypes, far from being harmless…can be seen to be contributing to the ideological reproduction of patriarchal social relations. (News Culture, 1999, Pg 144)

The Guardian article (appendix 2), when describing Merkel’s past career, also states that she was given:

“the most patronising job in … cabinet: minister for women and youth”. 

This reminds me of my time spent with Baroness Amos at a women only meeting.  The questions and concerns raised, although very important, were concerned with traditional female issues, e.g. child care, with a lack of conversation regarding issues traditionally seen as male, for example, the economy or business.

Unfortunately the photo in the Guardian article (appendix 2) is rather unflattering, perhaps presenting the leader of Germany as the ‘Iron Lady’ rather than the Barbie Doll stereotype.  However, I do not believe unflattering photos are limited to females’ politicians as there are many of Gordon Brown accompanying negative stories about his leadership.  Perhaps this highlights the media (and British publics) fascination with looks generally over skills and intelligence. 

I then searched more specifically for ‘angela merkel 2009 election’ and looked at the following sites:

Media Channel Typical Content Female References Appendix
The Guardian Statistics, results detail Nation’s Mother Appendix 4
ITN Basic details    
Sky Statistics, results detail First Female Leader in Germany Appendix 5
Huffington Post Statistics, results detail    
Al Jazeera As above, may have been same newswire source.    
EuroNews Facts    

Although only a small survey, generally the coverage of Merkel related to the election remained very much about the detail of the election results.  Reporting that Merkel is the first female leader is factual (appendix 5), however I was intrigued by the possible connotations of ‘Nation’s Mother’ (appendix 4).  I researched the meaning using Wikipedia:

Father of the Nation

Father of the Nation is an honorific title given to a man considered the driving force behind the establishment of their country, state or nation. The term founding fathers may be used if more than one person is considered key.

The Wikipedia definition focuses on the patriarch but the fact that it is considered an ‘honour’ suggests this is a compliment.  When considered in the context of Germany’s economic recovery in comparison to other EU countries, it could be suggested that she is the matriarch looking after the country, easing them through the recession like a nurturing mother.  Although not necessarily a negative connotation, it still ties Merkel and therefore all women to a stereotype of how women politicians should behave, instead of being judged purely on their merits as a politician. 

 

Conclusion

In conclusion the coverage of Merkel is quite gender neutral which I believe to be a positive media representation of women in politics.  The profile was unfortunately stereotyping but this was only one example and perhaps is more acceptable in a ‘profile’ as stereotypes can be used to make sense of the world around us:

“It is more useful to think of stereotyping as a process of categorisation necessary to make sense of the world, and the flood of information and impressions we receive minute by minute.” (Branston & Stafford, 1999, Pg137)

However this still raises the question of why the stereotype has to be negative, and why Merkel can not be stereotyped according to her career. 

It would be interesting to do some quantitative research into the coverage of female and male politicians to assess the levels of stereotyping that exist for the genders, what these stereotypes typically are, and whether these stereotypes are negative or positive.  Further to this, it would also be interesting to research the effect these stereotypes have on young people. 

I will admit to being a little disappointed as I expected greater negative stereotypical coverage of Merkel.  I would like to take this as a sign that media portrayal of women has improved in recent years but am more inclined to see a connection with her ‘celebrity’ status in the UK to warrant coverage by our news channels.  Perhaps I should have looked at the coverage of Harriet Harman in my want for controversy: whilst doing a quick search in Google, the first option available via auto typing is ‘harriet harman cleavage’!

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Reflective Diary – 13th October 2009

Tuesday, 20 October 2009 at 10:29 pm (Reflective Diary, WIPL Course)
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Hmmm, where to begin?  Well perhaps with the fact that I’m writing my reflective diary the night before next class!  I’ve come to accept that this is how I work best, with a deadline and under a little (short term pressure).  This is why I definitely need to organise regular meetings with my mentor (and she has to not let me get away with missing deadlines or meetings!).  Although I did make notes straight after last class, perhaps because I knew if I didn’t do it there and then, I would have no memory by the time I came to write my diary!  It was useful scheduling to set aside half an hour after the class both to socialise and discuss the course with the other participants (I always felt like I was running away after the last course sessions – at the start I suppose I was, as I didn’t feel able to talk to these ‘strangers’!).

It’s been suggested we think about three goals, as this focus will help us to get there.  I suppose I thought of my goals when I was considering whether to take part in the course, emailed them to my friends, printed the email and have since included it in my folder (ahead of the game ;-) , so here they are:

  • Role shadow a City Councillor to see if becoming one myself will help me fulfil my dream of helping my community and others by affecting change from the inside.
  • Choose which political party to join (already narrowed down to Lib Dems and Plaid, much to my (conservative) father’s disgust!)
  • Increase my understanding and involvement in the democratic process (although this may be dependent on party choice?)
  • Have fun during my journey (and learn from it)

But the great thing about goals, is that they are like goal posts (or those made from school jumpers anyway) and can be moved as your thoughts, feelings, experiences and circumstances change.

So, as I haven’t been maintaining my reflective diary…I have a lot to catch up on:

  • September course day
  • Reading: Our Sisters’ Land: The Changing Identities of Women in Wales
  • Cartrefi Cymru (paid work) events (Practice Development Day)
  • Course homework: Position & Participation of Women in Public Life
  • Step Up Launch in the Senedd last week (October 7th)
  • My political history
  • Blog

 

September course day

So, the September course day.  It was lovely to see some ‘old’ faces and to meet some new people (although I’m very glad we still wear name badges!  I’ll once again be revising everyone’s names before bed tonight!).  I’m so glad I made those notes:

WMAD gives me the confidence to enter ‘public life’.  Even though I may be well educated and already participate in public life to some extent (especially in my local community), I didn’t feel able to access the male dominated world. (Note: in my notes I wrote ‘I don’t feel able’, I’m so pleased I can change this already J The role shadow scheme (Step Up Cymru) will help also by giving me the skills and experience. 

Well I don’t feel I need to say much more than that really, other than it was lovely to be in a library again (although my mum wishes I would stop being a ‘student’, I love being a sponge!) The media aspect to the course really interests me, from my degree days (Journalism, Film and Broadcasting at Cardiff Uni).  I could spend hours researching the representation of women and other underrepresented groups in the media! 

 

Reading: Our Sisters’ Land: The Changing Identities of Women in Wales (1994)

This links onto the reading homework: Education Rhian: Experiences of mature woman students by Pam Garland

I learnt a new word for a start – by noting it here hopefully I’ll remember it again! 

Concomitant

existing or occurring with something else, often in a lesser way; accompanying; concurrent: an event and its concomitant circumstances.

I really enjoyed the essay, and although I don’t consider myself ‘mature’ (although I was shocked when I realised I was no longer under 25 (May 1982 if you want to work it out!) and therefore not in the under 25 category Lord Dafydd El referred to at the Step Up Cymru launch!) I could relate to the fear the mature students faced from my time in university, straight from comprehensive school:

            Their main concerns…related to fellow students:

                        “And the people, everywhere there were people and I didn’t know a single soul here, I felt really intimidated” (page 112)

I reflected on what it would be like for me now if I started a new course: thanks to WMAD I think all my fellow students would know my name, and I would make friends a lot faster than what I did 9 (eeek!) years ago!  Gosh, how much you can grow over a summer, leave alone 9 years!  A friend of mine recently started at Glamorgan (as a mature student – September 1981) so I hope it was helpful when I told her just to get out there and start talking to people, and to remember the person next to you is probably just as nervous as you are…I must call her actually and ask about this (instead of what we’re doing next Saturday night!).  Gosh, think I’m gonna write myself an action list:

  • Call said friend regarding uni (maybe lend her reading)
  • Make sure mentor reads this so she knows to be strict with my deadlines!
  • Write reflective diary after every session / event

I could write more about that chapter but it’ already 10pm…

So, what other chapters did I read?

  • Artefact & Identity: the welsh dresser as domestic display and cultural symbol by Moira Vincentelli
  • Finding a voice in two tongues: gender and colonization by Jane Aaron from which I just love the statement (page 188):

            “…or she accepted the English definition of herself as the libidinous hoyden of primitive Wild  Wales.”

Again, I could reflect on both these chapters but time!  Artefact and Identity made me think about my grandmother and her homemaker lifestyle and how we do still place significant cultural identity on our possessions although these may not be an heirloom, for example, owning an apple Mac instead of a PC or laptop.

Cartrefi Cymru (paid work) events (Practice Development Day – PDD)

Thanks to WMAD and my increased confidence, I’ve really noticed a difference in my work.  I am going out and about meeting staff which I think I previously shied away from and I think it is proving very beneficial for my work.  This was highlighted at a recent PDD when some young(er) girls completed some really good pieces of work, but were hiding it from the group.  I hope I helped in making them feel proud of their work and encouraged them for next time.  One of the girls stood up and feedback on behalf of the group and although she was shaking, said to us afterwards that it was actually a really good moment for her, and would be doing it again J  I was so pleased for her.  Just to think that all her good work could have been lost.  It makes me worry about how this country, businesses, charities, are missing out on such good work and ideas, because girls are not given the confidence to believe in their abilities or stand up and tell everyone what they believe.  I fed this back to my manager (who was very intrigued by the WMAD course) so hopefully the effect of this course will continue within Cartrefi Cymru.  Must add to my action list:

  • Pass Adrian (boss) info we course and confidence building, maybe send directly to girls I met. 

Course homework: Position & Participation of Women in Public Life (I’m going to see if I can attach it.  Nope, can’t figure it out, so going to add as a separate post!)

My homework again really interested me but some particular areas to reflect on…

I thought about how lonely work life could be for Angela Merkel – as one of two female leaders in the G20.  I hope she has a mentor and a perhaps a female politician network within her party to share and provide support with. 

 The fact that Merkel was given

 “the most patronising job in … cabinet: minister for women and youth”. 

Reminded me of our time with Baroness Amos and how perhaps the women present did not feel able to discuss any other issues…was this because we do not have belief in our thoughts and opinions on issues such as the economy.  I do still question the extent of my knowledge on such issues, so perhaps I should add these to my action list:

  • Inform myself further on the economy and other areas I do not feel confident in.
  • Have belief in the opinions I do have on these areas.

But one thing I am always able to say, is to say ‘unfortunately I do not feel I know enough about this or that, but from what I do know, I think…and I am going to look into it further. 

I think the main thing for me to take from my homework is from the advice given in the freshbusinessthinking article:

  • Be myself – don’t adhere to labels
  • “Be confident in my own skin and escape stereotypes”
  • Communicate effectively and assert myself

Thanks to WMAD, I feel I am making giant strides in achieving these attributes and love being inside my skin at the moment :-)

So, I still have more I would like to reflect on, but time does not allow if I want to get up in the morning (and also I think it would be a good idea to check in class that I’m moving along the right lines here and not just babbling my thoughts out!).  But quickly…

Blog

Over a year ago, through work, I set up a blog…I’m just wondering whether to use the blog for my reflective diary.  I know some of the information in here can be personal but I think one of the reasons for me to do this course was to take my knowledge and experiences back to my community.  Is a blog a good way to reach the underrepresented female community in politics and help empower or inspire them to get more involved in public life?  I think I’ll discuss with some people tomorrow and think about it a little more (after all, I’m a reflector / theorist not pragmatist or activist!)

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