WHO ARE WE?

Women Gear Up For Change

Women in North East England are taking an active part in the North East Constitutional Convention to make sure that they are fully included in any new directly elected regional assembly. The Women's Forum of the NECC organised a major event 'Woman to Woman - Making Women Count' at Gateshead Civic Centre on July 1, 2001, which focused on how women and minority groups could be included in any future assembly on an equal basis.

The Conference brought together an exciting and diverse group of concerned women from churches, trade unions, local councils and community workers.Particularly welcome were a large number of young women and women from ethnic minority groups were well represented. Bernadette Askins, Joint Convenor of the Women's Forum said, "The women who came were all active in their local communities and organisations. They are very aware that women are very under-represented in local government in the North East. The Women's Forum has carried out research showing that on average, women make up only 26% of local councillors and the cabinet system seems to have made things worse."

Guest speaker, Karen Gillon, a member of the Scottish Parliament, spoke about how difficult it had been to get women elected in Scotland and explained how a positive and sustained campaign had paid off, although women were still in an overall minority. Labour achieved a 50:50 balance by pairing women and men and this was achieved by commitment to a balanced selection and full democratic participation by the trade unions and the male politicians. The other political parties were much less successful. Already, in the Scottish Parliament, a real difference could be observed and women were able to express their views on a whole range of important issues and influence policy decisions.

The women at the Conference were sceptical that change could take place but very excited that it might happen. They wanted to achieve a democratically elected assembly where women were fully represented and able to participate on equal terms but said clearly that many barriers would have to be broken down in order for this to happen. Women in the community need support in order to gain the confidence to be able to participate in the democratic process and ways to achieve this were proposed. Anne Seymour, a member of the Women's Forum, commented, "The work of the Women's Forum is important, not only in raising the consciousness of the women in the North East but in making the decision-makers aware that the whole way politics operates must change and become more equal and inclusive. More women in decision-making roles will be better for everyone, not just for women. Women are more often involved in their communities than men and can provide more grass roots input. The Women's Forum is encouraging women to find their voice."

Women also needed encouragement and support to come forward for selection and it was proposed that a system similar to 'Emily's List' should be adopted by cross-party agreement. The working of the new assembly will have to be family friendly and allow significant time for proper consultation and feedback to women at grass roots.

One of the fears expressed at the Consultation was that unrealistic expectations could result in further disillusionment about the democratic process. There is a real desire to take part and women want to make their views known, to identify their needs and the needs of their families and to suggest solutions. Karen Gillon said that it had taken them twenty years to achieve the Scottish Parliament. The Women's Forum recognised that the North East had a long way to go. Ruth Tomalin, Joint Convenor of the Forum said, "We will only get one chance in our lifetime to get it right. This endeavour requires a real commitment of politicians from all political parties, to bring about a sea-change in the male dominated culture of the north east and to replace it with full democratic participation by women and men, ethnic and disabled, young and old".