Networking session to encourage women into public life

Wednesday 22 January 2020

Campaign group, 'Women in Public Life', is holding its first event tonight, as it tries to encourage more women to take on high profile roles in public life.

The group has been set up by a group of volunteers, both women and men, who have said they "believe that decisions in Guernsey should be made by a diverse balance of the Island as a whole."

As an example they've given, while women make up 50% of the population they only make up 30% of Deputies, 21% of Douzeniers and 25% of Jurats.

To try and improve that balance, the group has said it plans to give out detailed information about the many different roles in public office, run networking events and highlight available resources and vacancies.  The first networking event, this evening at Les Cotils, will aim to share information with interested parties. 

Shelaine Green, Chair of Women in Public Life, said: “Every day important decisions are made by members of the public who have stepped up to represent their island community.  Not just as Deputies and Douzeniers but also as members of the many different tribunals and panels in Guernsey or as advisers on boards like Guernsey Ports. 

“But women are under-represented in many public office roles.  That means Guernsey is missing out on talent and life experience and women aren’t sufficiently involved in decisions that affect them equally.

Pictured: The Women in Public Life website and campaign has been launched today. 

“We know that when a woman does stand for office, she is just as likely to be appointed or elected as a man. The problem is that not enough women come forward.  So we’ve created Women in Public Life to inspire and support the women of Guernsey and increase the pool of candidates.”

A website has been set up to coincide with the group launching which will offer extra information about vacant roles in public life, including interviews with women who already fill those roles and information about their own personal experiences. 

The group’s first event will be held this evening, from 17:30 at Les Cotils, involving a networking event where women can discuss the options available to them.