Equality and Diversity - Building a Culture of ... - Equality Authority

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Participation
Factsheet
Participation by
Young People in School
‘Often Student Councils are only allowed to work on activities such
as fund-raising etc. rather than taking part in decision-making
regarding school planning and policy, they are therefore prevented
from participating in the school community.’ (ISSU, Irish Secondary
Students Union, 2010).
Student Voice -
consulting students on classroom processes leads them to be more
engaged with learning (www.cpal.qub.ac.uk)
Representation
in Politics
Only 18 out of the 108 MLAs in NI are women. That is 16.7%
Only 15% of TDs in the Dáil are women.
Overall, between the Dáil, Seanad, MEPs, Local Councils,
men represent 75% ot the total number of representatives.
The Irish government is proposing a 30% gender quota for the
candidates of political parties at general elections. Parties that fail
to meet the quota of women candidates will face a 50% reduction in
State funding. Some people disagree with this as they believe it is
women’s choice not to stand for election.
In Sweden, women are almost 50% of the parliament representatives.
68% of people aged over 60
said that society does not take their views and opinions into
consideration. (NI Survey, 2009)
72 sECTION 3 EXPLORING Equality