Research classifies the reasons for women’s under-representation in politics as the ‘5 Cs’:

CONFIDENCE: women are less likely to go forward for selection

CASH: women have less access to resources than men

CANDIDATE SELECTION PROCEDURES: the processes by which political parties select candidates poses a significant obstacle to women’s political participation

CULTURE: a gendered culture is often prevalent within political parties of all persuasions

CHILDCARE: women are more likely to have this responsibility.

The Solution

• Tailored program of support to inspire, equip and inform women to run for political office
• Cross party network of political women committed to equal representation of women and men in Australian politics
• Advocacy and campaigning focused on increasing the number of women in Australian politics

Evidence shows that to bring about real change a combination of hard measures (quotas) and additional supports, including mentoring and training programmes and women’s political networks, is required.