Northern Ireland

50:50 NI aims to increase female representation in politics

Fourteen of the north's MPs are male. Picture by UK Parliament/Jessica Taylor/PA Wire
Fourteen of the north's MPs are male. Picture by UK Parliament/Jessica Taylor/PA Wire Fourteen of the north's MPs are male. Picture by UK Parliament/Jessica Taylor/PA Wire

A NEW group aims to increase the number of women taking part in Northern Ireland politics.

Arguing that an "equitable and true democracy is a representative one", 50:50 NI points to the underrepresentation of females on council, in the assembly and at Westminster.

Group founder Aoife Clements said that while women make up around 51 per cent of the north's population, this figure is not reflected in the region's political institutions.

She said just over a quarter of councillors (26 per cent) and one-third of MLAs (33 per cent) are women, while men make up 78 per cent of Northern Ireland's 18 MPs.

"It is vital that women are fairly represented in politics so that our voices can be heard and women’s issues can be properly addressed," Ms Clements said.

"In addition to this, research has shown that including more women in politics is beneficial not only to women but to the entire population – women leaders spend more on healthcare and education, and they adopt a more democratic leadership style than their male counterparts."

The 50:50 NI founder said having more women in politics is "extremely beneficial".

"Women in politics work in more bipartisan ways and are much better at reaching consensus and forming coalitions," she said.

"Skills that are particularly useful in Northern Irish politics."