Media release

National women’s organisation opens membership to all.

6 October 2016

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

National organisation Women in Politics (WIP) is opening up its membership to non-elected women to try and attract more women to run for elected office.

The new Associate Membership will be open to all from today.

WIP Founder and Chair, Hamilton City Councillor Angela O’Leary says men are also being encouraged to join as Associate Members.

“Husbands, fathers and sons all have women in their life who may have shown an interest in running for elected office so we are looking at them to encourage those women and provide a support base” O’Leary said.

Former MP Martin Gallagher is supportive of the organisation.

“As a parent I strongly believe we need to be encouraging our talented daughters to stand for public office” he said.

This year’s local body elections have attracted just 29% of female candidates and this is disappointing for the WIP. Figures show since the 2007 local elections the percentage of women candidates has remained static. This is contrary to the fact that when women stand, they are more likely to be elected than their male counterparts.

During this election O’Leary met with two women who had decided to run and had announced their candidacy but then pulled out just before nominations opened.

“Talking to them afterwards they felt there was not a lot of information about what the job actually entails, in practical terms. Adding to that the challenge of being thrust into the public arena without that knowledge made them reconsider.” she said.

“While I believe women are more inclined to get involved with local community issues and are more likely to vote (Statistics NZ media release 19/09/16), they just aren’t standing. We have to find out why – and then do some pretty serious work to change that” said O’Leary.

“We want to connect with potential future elected women much earlier leading up to an election and having Associate Members will further provide those opportunities. Access and networking opportunities with elected women throughout New Zealand, receiving our newsletters and access to our events will be some of the key benefits to the new membership. We’ll also be about to connect potential future leaders with currently elected women to mentor and support them into politics” she said.

Women in Politics is a not for profit, non-partisan incorporated society, which aims to increase the number of elected women in Local and Central Government in New Zealand.

People interested in becoming an Associate Members should go to WIP’s Facebook page or contact them through their website or email.

ENDS.

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