This International Women’s Day, Vote.je is celebrating Jersey’s female political pioneers to inspire more women to stand for election to the States Assembly.
The event, ‘Their Legacy, Your Future’, will be held in the States Building on Saturday 8 March.
The event will hear from current female States Members in a panel discussion, focusing on their experiences in campaigning to get elected and working as a States Member.
In a following Q&A session, the audience can put their own questions directly to States Members.
Deputy Inna Gardiner will speak on the panel, she says events like this are important for democracy and for individuals:
"We doing it to have a representative Assembly, which for me mirrors the the 50/50 split of men and women on the island - this needs to be reflected in the Chambers.
"Competitive elections are good elections. More candidates mean more choice for islanders at the ballot box.
"I remember myself, when I started to consider to stand for election, it was an invitation to visit the States Chamber - I met the Greffe, our clerk, and it was a really eye-opening conversation. I remember myself going through this experience and I hope it will be helpful for women that may be thinking to stand as well."
The event also features a behind-the-scenes tour of the States Chamber.
The tour will give first-hand experience of being in the Chamber as well as providing the opportunity to learn about the trailblazing women of Jersey’s political past.
These include the Island’s first ever female States Member – Ivy Forster, and the first woman to stand for election to the States Assembly – Caroline Trachy.
Emily Thomas is the Campaign Manager at Vote.je, she says it's so important for women to be able to see themselves in the role:
"One aspect of the event is to provide a behind-the scenes tour of the States Chamber - so that we're inviting women into the space that they could be working in in the future - and to take a seat in the Chamber and feel like it is somewhere they genuinely belong, and where they can make their mark on and be heard."
"What we'd like to do is take the United Nations theme of 'rights, equality and empowerment'
"We want to help women be empowered and look at the progress and achievements of past and present States members with the view to inspire and empower future candidates in future elections in 2026 and beyond."
Tickets for the event are free of charge but limited. Bookings should be made via Vote.je’s Eventbrite page.
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