A Missed Opportunity for Gender Equality: The Case for Gender Quotas

Wednesday September 18th, 2024

The Welsh Government’s decision to abandon the Senedd Cymru (Electoral Candidate Lists) Bill, which would have ensured gender quotas, is a deeply disappointing setback for gender equality and diversity in Welsh politics. For the Diverse5050 campaign steering group and coalition across Wales, which has long advocated for such measures, this decision is particularly disheartening. With the introduction of the Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Act 2024, which will expand the Senedd from 60 to 96 members in the next election, the failure to progress the Candidate Lists Bill is a missed opportunity to build a more representative and inclusive legislature. This decision not only raises concerns about the decline in the representation of women, particularly from marginalised groups, but also questions the democratic principles that should guide Welsh governance.

Diverse5050 has been at the forefront of campaigning for a more equitable political system in Wales, emphasising that gender quotas are a proven mechanism for addressing gender imbalances in political representation. Gender quotas are successfully used in parliaments in the majority of countries around the world, including those as diverse as Rwanda, Spain, and Sweden, to address parliamentary gender disparities. These examples highlight how decisive action, such as that advocated by Diverse5050, can transform political institutions into ones that are more reflective of the populations they serve.

In contrast, the government’s decision to abandon this progressive reform risks leaving Wales behind. Without gender quotas, the underrepresentation of women and marginalised groups is likely to persist, especially as political parties have historically struggled to select balanced and diverse candidates. Diverse5050 has consistently highlighted how the lack of women from ethnic minority communities, disabled individuals, LGBTQ+ people, and other underrepresented voices in the Senedd raises serious concerns about the inclusivity and fairness of Welsh politics. Dropping the Bill perpetuates existing inequalities, limiting the chances for genuine diversity in the upcoming elections.

The importance of gender quotas, as championed by Diverse5050, extends beyond achieving gender balance—it fosters a more diverse range of perspectives, enabling decisions that reflect the experiences and needs of the entire population. For women from underrepresented communities—such as Black, Asian, and minority ethnic women, disabled women, and LGBTQ+ individuals—the barriers to entering politics are often greater. These women are disproportionately excluded from the political process due to systemic discrimination, economic inequality, and social barriers. By not implementing gender quotas,  the government is effectively shutting the door on these groups, leaving their concerns unheard and unaddressed at the highest levels of decision-making.

The decision is particularly devastating given the prior commitments from Welsh Labour and Plaid Cymru to implement gender quotas, which had given hope to Diverse5050, its coalition, and the wider Welsh community. After celebrating the pledges of these political parties, the coalition—and the people of Wales who have supported these efforts—are now left grappling with the reality that long-awaited progress has stalled. The government’s failure to act stands in stark contrast to the Senedd’s ambition to be a progressive, inclusive institution. The expansion of the Senedd to 96 members is an opportunity to enhance representation, but without legislative measures like gender quotas, this growth may simply reinforce the status quo rather than bring about meaningful change. The current stagnation in the representation of women, combined with the ongoing lack of diversity within the Senedd, is unacceptable in a modern democracy that claims to be representative of its people.

This decision also raises broader questions about the state of Welsh democracy. Diverse5050 has consistently argued that a truly democratic institution should reflect the voices, experiences, and needs of all citizens. By sidelining gender quotas, the principles of fair representation, accountability, and equality are also being sidelined. Representation matters—it influences policy decisions, legislation, and the overall direction of government. Without diverse voices, Welsh democracy risks becoming disconnected from the people it is meant to serve.

Moreover, Diverse5050 has underscored the urgency of having more representative leadership, particularly in the face of rising racism, bullying, violence, and hate crimes against women and marginalized groups in Wales. In such a climate, laws that ensure fair representation are not just about political balance—they are vital for restoring trust in political institutions and showing that they stand with and for all communities. Gender quotas would have provided a tangible commitment to creating a Senedd that reflects the values of equality and inclusion that Wales aspires to—values that Diverse5050 has consistently championed.

Critics of gender quotas have argued that such measures undermine meritocracy or create unfair advantages for certain groups. However, as Diverse5050 has pointed out, evidence from countries that have adopted quotas shows the opposite: quotas do not impede meritocracy, but instead break down systemic barriers that have historically kept talented women and marginalised individuals from accessing positions of power. Quotas simply level the playing field by addressing the unequal starting points for these groups. They help identify and elevate qualified individuals who may otherwise have been overlooked due to entrenched biases or a lack of opportunity.

In fact, gender quotas enhance the quality of decision-making by ensuring that a broader range of experiences, expertise, and perspectives is included. They are not about choosing people who are less qualified, but about recognising that merit exists across all groups and that a more diverse legislature is better equipped to understand and address the complex needs of society.

Diverse5050 remains resolute in its belief that the Senedd, like any democratic institution, should reflect the society it serves. Gender quotas are a necessary step toward achieving this goal. They ensure that democracy truly represents all people and that the voices of women and underrepresented groups are heard. Far from causing harm, quotas will strengthen Welsh democracy by making it more inclusive, accountable, and reflective of the diversity of Wales.

While the government’s decision is a significant setback, Diverse5050 and its coalition firmly believe that this is not the end of the journey. The fight for equal and diverse representation in Welsh leadership is not lost. This decision must serve as a rallying point for renewed efforts to push for change. The hope for a fair and representative Senedd remains alive, and Diverse5050 will continue its campaign, ensuring that the voices of women and underrepresented groups are heard at every level of Welsh governance. The future of Welsh democracy depends on it.