Tag: Gender

Recruitment procedures shape the gender composition of party lists in European Parliament elections

Recruitment procedures shape the gender composition of party lists in European Parliament elections

Different countries select their Members of the European Parliament in different manners, with Britain opting for a party list system based on regional (in the case of England) and national constituencies (in the cases of Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland). The European Parliament has better gender representation than most legislatures, however as Jessica Fortin-Rittberger, Berthold Rittberger, […]

To enhance women’s representation, internal party democracy may need to be ‘managed’ in the short term

To enhance women’s representation, internal party democracy may need to be ‘managed’ in the short term

With a general election in the Republic of Ireland imminent, gender quotas have already doubled the proportion of women candidates relative to the 2011 general election. In most cases the implementation of quotas at constituency level has been straightforward. However, problems have arisen largely due to ‘local’ versus ‘central’ conflict, writes Claire McGing. Here she explores how […]

The gendered dimensions of constitutional change: Women and the independence referendums in Scotland and Catalonia

The gendered dimensions of constitutional change: Women and the independence referendums in Scotland and Catalonia

Constitutional debates around independence claims present various gendered dimensions and implications for women and gender equality policy issues more broadly. In this article, Tània Verge and Alba Alonso challenge the idea that differences between women and men’s voting patterns can be simply reduced to risk aversion, and write that the public debates largely suffered in […]

The records of Tory women’s organisation provide a crucial insight into gender and conservatism in the twentieth century

The records of Tory women’s organisation provide a crucial insight into gender and conservatism in the twentieth century

Drawing of evidence from the Conservative Party archive David Swift sheds light on the active and changing role that women have played in the the Party since the 1920s. His research reveals a story which is far more complex than standard narratives which centre heavily on Margaret Thatcher as the ‘female Conservative’ par excellence. Similar PostsThis May be Tory feminism: […]

Is political representation in Britain becoming more diverse?

Is political representation in Britain becoming more diverse?

The Equality and Human Rights Commission have a statutory duty to regularly report on the state of human rights and equality in the UK. Based on the Commission’s latest review, ‘Is Britain Fairer?’, Janna Miletzki and Hazel Wardrop write that while formal political representation is more diverse than in 2010, the findings for informal participation are […]

Book Review: Feminism, Gender, and Universities: Politics, Passion and Pedagogies by Miriam E. David

Book Review: Feminism, Gender, and Universities: Politics, Passion and Pedagogies by Miriam E. David

Feminism, Gender, and Universities celebrates the way in which feminism has forever changed the terrain of higher education whilst examining the impact that the movement has had on the lives of women engaged in teaching others, writes Katherine Williams. Feminism, Gender, and Universities: Politics, Passion and Pedagogies. Miriam E. David. Ashgate. 2014. Find this book:  With Feminism, Gender, […]

A political earthquake is forecast for Scotland – but will there be a ‘genderquake’?

A political earthquake is forecast for Scotland – but will there be a ‘genderquake’?

The aftermath of the Scottish Independence Referendum has seen an enormous spike in support for the Scottish National Party, with polling showing that Labour north of the border may find themselves reduced to a rump of MPs in the House of Commons. But what role has gender played in these events, ask Meryl Kenny and […]

The evolution of gender and poverty in Britain: solo-living men are emerging as a new poor group

The evolution of gender and poverty in Britain: solo-living men are emerging as a new poor group

Esther Dermott examines the relationship between gender, age and living arrangements in Britain over the period of 1999-2012. Her analysis finds that older women have gone from being one of the poorest groups to being relatively advantaged. Meanwhile, men living alone are an emerging poor group in Britain. Similar PostsBook Review: Unequal Britain at Work edited by […]

NHS Foundation Trusts have been a source of democratic experimentation for the past decade

NHS Foundation Trusts have been a source of democratic experimentation for the past decade

Campaigners are promoting a wide range of reforms for the UK’s democratic system, including changing the electoral system, lowering the voting age or allowing people to vote online. While many look overseas for examples of how these innovations work in practice, Richard Berry explains in this post that each has already been introduced at NHS Foundation Trust elections. […]

The changing relationship between England and Scotland could confuse equality provision north of the border

The changing relationship between England and Scotland could confuse equality provision north of the border

Is the Smith Commission report on the future of the governance of Scotland ‘woman friendly’? Christine Bell carries out a ‘gender audit’ of the document, and concludes that equality provision may become confused owing to the changing balance of legislative power between Holyrood and Westminster.  Similar PostsDesigning a new parliament with women in mindThis May be […]