Select a region
The cost and availability of childcare coupled with long working hours could be hindering some women from entering the political fray, according to several local States Members.
Speaking to Express, many female politicians highlighted the difficulties of balancing their political roles with caring responsibilities.
2022 was a record year for female participation in politics, with the election seeing a 50% increase in female States Members.
In total, 21 females were successful in the 2022 election, making up 43% of the total Assembly.
However, several Sates Members said the gender balance could be improved by increasing access to affordable childcare and promoting a culture of flexible working.
Former Health Minister Karen Wilson called for more support for those with caring responsibilities — both in and outside the States Assembly.
Pictured: "The amount of hours women put into the economy that are unpaid, such as caring responsibilities, are often overlooked," said Deputy Karen Wilson.
She said: "It takes enormous effort to protect time for your family life.
"Some changes could be made to improve things particularly when it comes to leave arrangements and child or relative caring responsibilities.
"The amount of hours women put into the economy that are unpaid, such as caring responsibilities, are often overlooked."
Pictured: Deputy Elaine Millar said that her "particular bugbear" is early morning and breakfast events.
Meanwhile, Treasury Minister Elaine Millar pointed out that long hours and early morning events can exclude or burden women with caregiving responsibilities.
She said "I can't comment here as I don't have children...but my particular bugbear is early morning and breakfast events.
"These don't work for anyone with caring responsibilities or school-run duties and could exclude women for that reason."
Assistant Minister Andy Howell said balancing politics and family could be difficult and often results in personal sacrifices.
She said: "The unique pressures are those of childcare and caring for family and elderly relatives, which is especially hard when there are unexpected last-minute meetings.
"Sometimes I feel I am 'short-changing' my family, in terms of the time I have to devote to them compared to the job."
Picutred: Deputy Raluca Kovacs called for more flexibility in working arrangements to better accommodate caregivers.
Deputy Raluca Kovacs said it could be difficult to achieving work-life balance due to unsociable working hours.
She said: "The political machine works from early morning to late evenings over seven days a week, so it's a juggling act to achieve an appropriate work life balance to which there are no easy answers and does come with many personal sacrifices.
"Women are still the main carers in the family, whether that's for children or elderly parents or other family, so you can get pulled in different directions at the same time."
The Reform Jersey politician called for more flexibility in working arrangements to better accommodate caregivers.
"The need to be flexible to adapt the way we're working are needed to work in a more more effective and productive way," said Deputy Kovacs.
"The gift of time comes with appropriate support, and to me, for each State member to have a dedicated support officer or personal assistant would enable much more work to be delivered soon."
Despite only making up 20% of the Assembly, female politicians in Guernsey said that the political environment across the water is more family-friendly.
This is because meetings can be organised around school holidays and school runs, according to Deputies Lindsay de Sausmarez, Sue Aldwell, Heidi Soulsby, and Yvonne Burforbec.
However, they expressed concerns about the cost and availability of childcare, which impact women's ability to work and advance in their careers.
Pictured: Lindsay de Sausmarez described the States of Guernsey as "more family-friendly than many workplaces".
Lindsay de Sausmarez said: "I have four school-aged children and I manage to balance my busy home life and responsibilities as a mum with senior roles in the States, although much of that is down to the fact that my husband takes on a lot of child-related and domestic responsibility too.
"The States is more family-friendly than many workplaces. For example, parliament doesn't sit during school holidays and we can organise our committee meetings around other commitments to a reasonable degree."
She added that women in the Assembly have taken on a disproportionately high level of responsibility.
All the women are either presidents, vice-presidents, or sit on more than one committee – despite how a higher proportion of female deputies have school-aged children or other caring responsibilities than their male peers.
Deputy de Sausmarez said: "Last term I was also the first female to have a baby whilst a Deputy (I think), so I'm pleased to say that there is now much better provision for other new mums, and indeed new dads, compared to what there was previously."
Deputy de Sausmarez explained that addressing the cost and availability of childcare is essential to providing equal opportunities for women in the workplace.
Pictured: Addressing the cost and availability of childcare is seen as essential to providing equal opportunities for women in the workplace.
"The cost of childcare affects many families with young children, but data shows that the effects are felt most acutely by women, who tend to be the parent that takes the hit in terms working, income and future career prospects in order to stay at home if they have no choice because they can't afford childcare.
"The evidence shows us that this is having a negative on our economy. At exactly the time we're trying to increase productivity, we know that there is a cohort of people, who are much more likely to be women, who want to work, or work more than they are currently able to, but can't because we don't have accessible, affordable childcare.
"As a government, we invest less in pre-school and early years support than any other comparable jurisdiction, yet we know that this kind of investment drives better social and economic outcomes. This is something I hope we can address."
Deputy Soulsby added: "The cost and availability of child care is a major issue which limits women's opportunities to participate in the workplace and something that we looking to do something about."
INSIGHT: Is politics hostile for women? First female Chief Minister and other Deputies get candid
Comments
Comments on this story express the views of the commentator only, not Bailiwick Publishing. We are unable to guarantee the accuracy of any of those comments.