Women in Politics Conference: Breaking Barriers to Representation

The University of St Andrews’ Women in Politics National Conference took place this weekend (October 10th - 11th), bringing together students and politicians to discuss the representation of women in politics. 

Credit: Mia Costello

Scotland Deputy First Minister, Jennifer Gilruth, highlighted that online abuse and increasingly aggressive debates are making public life hostile for women, resulting in new barriers for women in politics in recent years. 

Gilruth told The Stand she feels that too many women are leaving politics because they no longer feel safe, pointing out the significant change in behaviour online over the last decade. ‘It's often very personal, and it's often gendered’ she said, ‘I think that's pushing women out.’ Gilruth added, that politics must become a space where women and minorities feel encouraged to participate.

According to Gilruth the problem extends beyond social media. Debate in political spaces has also become far more aggressive, discouraging women and minorities from speaking. Without women in positions of power “we’re not going to have policies and laws passed that ultimately help and support women,” she said. 

Charlotte, a first-year student, told The Stand that she believes that traditional ideas about leadership lead to women being viewed as unsuitable for political office. She argues that historically leadership has been associated with physical strength and the ability to provide for a community. However, modern society doesn’t require the same set of qualities. Instead, we require resilient, creative, kind and collaborative leaders. None of these qualities belong exclusively to one gender.“I think women have so much to bring to leadership and politics, yet they’re still facing so many barriers,” Charlotte said.

Charlotte expressed that this is why conversations around women in politics remain so important. Changing who we see in power starts from the ground up and requires breaking down ideas about leadership that we have assumed for generations. 

Manola, the first-year representative for the Women in Politics Society, told The Stand that increasing visibility is the best way to challenge those assumptions. She argues that young girls are often told, directly or indirectly, that politics isn’t for them. Seeing female politicians speak about their careers can help show young women that political leadership is an achievable dream. 

“It really boosts women’s confidence,” Manola said. That confidence matters in a political culture where women face scrutiny not only for their policy, but for their gender. Fostering these spaces for young women to meet, exchange ideas and build connections can help them feel less alone when considering a career in public affairs. 

The central goal of the conference was to make politics feel accessible to women at the beginning of their journeys by building connections with those already in the field. 

Lucy Stevenson, Co-President of the Women in Politics Society, told The Stand that ‘Through our conference, we wanted to make those networks and opportunities more accessible, showcase the different routes into politics, and give women the confidence and connections to see themselves as future leaders. Crucially, it’s about making sure the next generation of women feels that there is a place for them in politics.’