Suffrage Day: Women Better Off Under MMP

100 years after suffragists won the right to vote, New Zealand’s decision in 1993 to back MMP was a good one for women, according to a new report released today for Women’s Suffrage Day.

The report, by Women for MMP, discusses both the better representation and specific policy wins for women since MMP was introduced.

“In the final first-past-the post election 21% of parliamentary seats were won by women. Just three years later in 1996 under MMP it jumped to 29%, and it is currently over 30%,” said Sandra Grey, co-author of the report, and spokesperson for Campaign for MMP.

“The diversity of women has also been better represented, including through the country’s first Pacific and Asian female cabinet ministers in Luamanuvao Winnie Laban and Pansy Wong.”

Sandra Grey said that MMP has also seen some big policy gains for women, such as paid parental leave and flexible working hours.

“Similarly, examining spending on “women’s health” in New Zealand since 1990 signals that increased spending on “women’s programmes” occurs alongside increased female representation.”

“Women MPs themselves note how important MMP has been for ensuring women’s issues are addressed by parliament,” she said.

“Women such as Kate Sheppard fought for the vote because they believed women had a right to political equality.”

“But the electoral referendum in 2011 gambles with the gains we have made in women’s political representation.”

“If New Zealand moves back to first-past-the-post or to another majority-plurality system, like supplementary member, we will almost certainly see a drop in the number of women in parliament.”

“We must continue the fight for women’s political equality begun over a century ago and ask New Zealanders to ensure they retain an electoral system that ensures democracy for women,” Sandra Grey said.

ENDS

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