WOMEN have a hard time of it in the Victorian Liberal Party. So says the party itself after a wide-ranging review into how women are treated within its ranks.
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To its credit, the Liberal Party has been open about the review but its findings don’t make pleasant reading.
Especially if you are a woman wishing to enter politics.
Women were subjected to bullying and aggressive conduct and some were actively dissuaded from standing for leadership positions.
Sound familiar?
Women suffer the same types of issue in the workforce, so should it be any surprise that the rough and tumble world of politics should be any different?
The broader problem for women in general is that they are not treated as equals by men in powerful positions, whether it be in politics or in any other walk of life.
Following the review, the Victorian Libs have suggested setting up a code of conduct in a bid to prevent bullying.
Only six women serve the Liberal Party in the Victorian Parliament’s lower house.
Labor is marginally better represented, although the problem of too-few women in politics is a general one.
More work must be done to find suitable female candidates for pre-selection and realistic and practical steps must be taken in order to increase party membership.
The Liberals are looking into this, but it goes for both sides of the house.
Federally, Prime Minister Tony Abbott copped some criticism for appointing a male-dominated cabinet when he was elected to the top job.
Mr Abbott enjoys the support of two extremely capable women in his government — Foreign Minister Julie Bishop and his chief of staff Peta Credlin — but that’s about it, the rest are men.
It is good to see the Victorian Liberals taking steps to address some of these issues.
A fairer mix of the sexes in positions of power would equate to a smarter Parliament.
Clever women — and men — know that already. So why isn’t it happening?
