Reaction from Shelaine Green, Chair of Women in Public Life as nominations close for Election 2020.
“Only 12 women were nominated for election in 2012 and 19 in 2016 so it’s really pleasing to see the number increase to 28 in 2020, particularly as we are now operating under a completely new electoral system.
“Of course, with 119 candidates in total, that’s means only 24% are women and 76% are men so the candidate pool is still far from balanced and Guernsey is losing out on talent and representation as a result. But we are realists and we know removing the barriers that hold women back from standing for Deputy will take time and continued effort.
“Looking at the detail, it’s striking that 10 of the 12 current female deputies are re-standing, plus a further four from previous States terms [Correction 9/9/20: this figure is three. Ann Robilliard is a new candidate, not the Deputy who served from 1998-2004]. It seems female States members are keen to carry on putting in the hard work on behalf of our Island – that’s reassuring.
“However, we are losing two of the Assembly’s best. Deputy Michelle Le Clerc and Deputy Emilie McSwiggan were both dedicated and determined States members who will be deeply missed.”
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