‘Need for more women in public life’ – Fearon

Sinn Féin MLA Megan Fearon has said there is a need for more women in public life.

Speaking after addressing a ‘Women in Politics’ event at Stormont on Wednesday morning, the Newry and Armagh MLA said, “For too many young girls growing up the only role models they see in the media conform to the offensive idea that their relevance as a human being is linked to appearance.

Fearon insisted that young women and girls need ‘positive role models’ in all aspects of public life, including politics.

“Despite the fact that 53 per cent of the population is female, women hold only only 18 per cent of elected positions across the island. Of the 108 MLAs in the Assembly, only 21 are female and that is simply not good enough. It is important that women are visible in public life as examples to younger generations.

“While we in Sinn Féin are proactive about tackling gender imbalances, there is work for all political parties to do in increasing the number of women in politics.

“Women played a key role in the conflict in the North and women also have a hugely important role in conflict resolution. The contribution women have made to peace building should be recognised and celebrated,” she added.

Short URL: https://newrytimes.com/?p=45900

Posted by Newry Times News on Oct 24 2014. Filed under Community, Politics. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry