Women in Politics Democratic Unionist Party – Northern Ireland

Background to the DUP The Party was established in 1971 Ian Paisley led the party until 2008 when our current leader, the First Minister of Northern Ireland took over Rt hon Peter Robinson MLA. We are currently the largest Party in Northern Ireland with 38 seats in our local assembly, 8 seats in Westminster, 1 MEP and over 170 councillors.

Women in our Party Over 50% of our membership is female. We actively encourage the women in our party to actively engage in all aspects of the party.

Women in our Party In its last rule revision it introduced provision on gender for its internal structures. It states: “The nature and intent of our Party Constitution and Rules is to provide democratic accountability at every level of the Party structure and to promote the principle that throughout the Party there should be a representative character to every group and committee formed by its members. This should not be at the expense of the merit principle, but the view is held that in electing its five representatives to the Central Executive Committee, each Constituency Association should attempt, as far as possible, to ensure that each Branch in its area is represented and account is taken of the numerical strength of each Branch. Moreover, unless there are extenuating circumstances, it is not expected that any association would nominate representatives form one gender only. The inherent fairness of these guidelines will be taken into account for other Party appointments.”

Women in our Party In the 2009 European Election the party saw the election of its first female MEP, Diane Dodds. Also ¼ of our House of Lords representation is female. At the 2010 Westminster election, in seats held by the DUP there were two vacancies (including one previously held by a female) but males were selected in both. Elsewhere our decision to support Unionist Unity meant a female candidate in Fermanagh and South Tyrone stood aside and the party endorsed the sitting MP in North Down constituency, Lady Sylvia Hermon.

Women in our Party At the Assembly level identifiable gains have been achieved. In the 2007 election the DUP fielded 6 female candidates in 5 constituencies of whom 3 were elected. In the 2011 election the DUP fielded 7 female candidates in 7 constituencies of whom 5 were elected. This was a rise in each measure.

Women in the Party As a Political Party we have started a process for women in the organisation to come together for different social events and hope to expand this with a formal structure for women in the Party. This will also include training, mentoring and support for female candidates.

Some of our Famous Females Diane Dodds MEP

Some of our Famous Females Michelle Mcilveen MLA

Challenges Some challenges we have as a Party: With the role the media have to play and some Newspapers in NI specifically target Women in our Party The work/family life balance can put some women off General attitudes

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