Women Encouraged to Stand for Election in Guernsey

Women in Guernsey are encouraged to stand for election by the group Women in Public Life, noting that female representation in government is only 20%. Shelaine Green emphasized the need for better representation and announced a campaign training program to assist potential candidates ahead of the 2025 elections.

Women in Guernsey are being encouraged to consider standing for the forthcoming elections. The voluntary group Women in Public Life (WiPL) highlighted that female representation within the States of Guernsey stands at approximately 20%, which is significantly lower than the 43% representation of women in Jersey’s States Assembly.

Shelaine Green, the chair of WiPL, expressed concern regarding this disparity, noting that Guernsey ranks only one place above countries such as Saudi Arabia and Turkey in terms of female governmental representation. She emphasized, “Without better representation, the views and life experiences of women are not being heard when crucial decisions are taken that affect everyone in the island.”

If ranked within the Inter-Parliamentary Union’s monthly tally of women in national parliaments, Guernsey would be positioned at 123rd place. In comparison, the UK Parliament ranks 26th with a 40.5% female representation. Ms. Green pointed out that “if a woman stands for election she has just as much chance of success as a man” and urged that more women should consider putting themselves forward for election.

In a bid to promote women’s participation, WiPL is offering a free Train to Campaign program aimed at enhancing campaigning skills, scheduled for 23 March. Ms. Green encouraged women interested in running in the June 2025 elections to connect with the organization for assistance regarding current issues, election processes, and campaign planning. “Your island needs you,” she added, emphasizing the importance of women’s involvement in governance.

The call for increased female representation in Guernsey’s electoral landscape is underscored by the current low numbers of women in government. The efforts by Women in Public Life to motivate women to stand for election and their initiative to provide campaigning skills training are positive steps towards addressing this gap. Ultimately, encouraging women to participate actively in politics is essential for inclusive decision-making that reflects the entire community’s needs.

Original Source: www.bbc.com