Female MPs forced to tackle the 'double bind'

Whether she chose to be or not, former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher was a pioneer and a role model for women in politics. The Iron Lady once said, “In politics, if you want anything said, ask a man. If you want anything done, ask a woman.”

If that’s the case, with a record 30 women from all political persuasions taking a seat in the Western Australian parliament, the next term of government should be a very productive one.

While 30 female MPs is a good start, women are 51% of the population, and remain a political minority. Labor’s female representation in caucus is 38.6%, the Nationals 22% — including the first female leader and deputy leader of the WA party — and the Liberals only 17%. Commenting on that figure, outgoing Liberal MP Robyn McSweeney described it as disgraceful that the party only has four women in Parliament.