Push for women’s role in local govt

Press, 11 July 1989, Page 2

Push for women’s role in local govt

PA Auckland Women will not be fairly represented in the revamped local authorities unless they take action, says a spokeswoman for Women’s Electoral Lobby New Zealand, Ms Pauline McLeod. Of the 56 chief executives appointed to run the new local bodies to date, none were women, and they were unlikely to appoint females, Ms McLeod said. At its fourteenth annual conference in Oratia at the week-end, the lobby acknowledged it was an important year to encourage women to seek election with the changes in local government ahead. “One of the main reasons we are concerned

is that only 94 local bodies will replace the present 625 bodies and all the power is going to be concentrated in fewer and fewer hands,” Ms McLeod said. “These are likely to be middle-aged, middle-class pakehas.” Women were generally less prepared to stand for election, once seen as traditionally a male preserve. Family commitments prevented women taking an active role in local government because of councils’ meeting times. Women with preschoolers had to find childcare to be able to attend day meetings and were not given any extra payment to cover the additional expense. “If we don’t make it

possible for people to take part in the democratic voting, the power will stay in the hands of those who can afford it,” she said. “They are those who own their own businesses, take time off without being financially punished, and are self-suffi-cient.” The group aimed to raise the consciousness of women and assist them into decision-making positions at all levels. The lobby also helped candidates in practical ways, such as babysitting, cooking meals, making pamphlet drops and giving' financial support. Ms McLeod said women had a large contribution to make in many areas, including conservation issues such as driftnets and mining.