Kirsty to address prestigious Oxford Union (Kirsty Williams AM )

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Kirsty Williams AM <info@kirstywilliams.org.uk>

Kirsty to address prestigious Oxford Union

January 22, 2009 12:00 AM

Kirsty Williams, leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats, will take part in a forum hosted by the Oxford Union to explore the reasons behind the under-representation of women in politics this Friday.

Sitting alongside Kirsty to discuss "Where are all the Women" will be Laura Schwartz, former Special Assistant to President Clinton and Shehrbano Rehman, Pakistan Minister of Information and Broadcasting.

On accepting the invitation Kirsty said:

"It is a great honour to be able to take part in this debate with such young probing minds.

"The Oxford Union is known world-wide for the standard of its debates and its guest speakers who discuss contemporary and controversial issues. With the inauguration of President Obama this week, there is no better time to discuss the role of women in politics."

In her address to the Oxford Union, Kirsty will say:

"In December last year, I was elected leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats. The first female party leader in Welsh political history.

So for a month now, I've been introducing myself to the people of Wales - sometimes in person, but more usually through the profile interview.

"Every single one has asked me about motherhood. You know the kind of thing - mother of three, Kirsty Williams, etc

"However, I don't recall that being an issue for David Cameron, or Nick Clegg. I don't recall people expressing wonderment that a father of two, three or four children could balance their family commitments with their work. That's the gap between the idea of equality, and the practice in modern Britain.

"But we are all complicit in this state of affairs, to a greater or lesser degree.

"The media - for asking and treating my status as exceptional (it is in politics, but there are plenty of people in the real world who combine families and jobs)

My press team - for constantly referencing it.

Me, for allowing them, and playing along.

"Even the Oxford Union!? You could have asked me here today to talk about anything. I'm a politician - I've got views on just about everything. Not just about women, and women's issues.

…….

"So to engage with the question: Where are all the women?

I guess I'm here as an example, but also an exception.

My party is pretty unusual. The Welsh Lib Dems have a female leader, a female chief executive and female president and vice president! Some of my colleagues are starting to wonder whether we need all male shortlists to redress the balance...

But each of these women is an exception, it's not a battle won.

"It's fairly clear that you don't need a penis to succeed in politics, but you still have to have 'balls'."

Notes:

Debate: Where are all the Women?

Time: 8:30pm

Location: The Oxford Union, Frewin Court, Oxford,