The number of women standing for Parliament this year has risen slightly — to 22 percent — but the demands of working full-time and raising families still seem to keep women from participating equally in the political arena.

There are nine women running this year as PLP candidates (25 percent) and seven as UBP candidates (19.4 percent) but many of the those who spoke to The Royal Gazette said a higher wage for MPs, better working hours and more support for female candidates might go a long way toward bringing more women into politics.

Deputy Premier Paula Cox, running for the PLP in Devonshire North West, said she would like to see a more gender-balanced political field.

"I would like to see more credible female candidates running in this general election, so that at least a third, ideally half, of the candidates were women," she said.

Ms Cox said despite being capable, passionate and often deeply involved behind the scenes, she believes many women simply don't believe the rewards of becoming a politician are worth the risks.

UBP newcomer Senator Gina Spence-Farmer, running in Warwick North East, admitted that being a politician — on top of being a mother and holding a regular job — does get stressful. Many women simply don't have the time it takes to jump into politics, she suggested.

But not having equal representation means that critical female perspectives and opinions are often lost.

"I really wish we had more women because of a lot of the social issues women are experiencing and can speak from a maternal perspective (on)," said Sen. Spence-Farmer. "I just think it brings a good balance to the overall debate and some of the solutions required in addressing some of the social challenges."

Chamber of Commerce vice-president Diane Gordon said both the low salaries of MPs (currently MPs are paid $50,000) and the odd working hours of Bermuda's Parliament may be reasons that women in particular find it hard to become involved at that level.

There are many women in Bermuda who are educated and have the experience to run but having full time employment and raising a family are more important to them, she said.

"If a Member of Parliament in Bermuda attracted a similar salary to a full-time position (in the private sector) then you may see more women running for Parliament," Ms Gordon said.

"However, the responsibility of generating an income, and raising children would still be a significant handicap to a lot of women in considering running for Parliament, particularly when the House sometimes does not break until the early hours of the morning."

But she pointed out that the level of representation of women running for Parliament is similar to that seen in the senior positions of the business sector — and may even be higher.

Ms Gordon is not the only one to be encouraged by the number of women running — which has jumped from 14 in 2003. PLP candidate Jane Corriea said, with 25 percent of its candidates being women, the PLP is in good shape.

One of two white candidates running for the PLP, Mrs. Correia said: "I think it's actually encouraging to see the number of women.

"I don't think it should be looked at as a negative. It is encouraging that there are more women in PLP than UBP."

She said the PLP has a stronger record of female candidates, pointing out that one of its founders was Dorothy Thompson.

A spokesperson for the UBP disagreed with that claim: "That claim was rubbish," he said. "We had the first female Minister of Government, first female Premier of Bermuda. Women have held senior ranks of the party."

Mrs. Correia, running in Smith's South, also pointed to those working behind the scenes, who aren't comfortable being in the limelight.

"I think there are a lot of women who look after their families and family must come first particularly in today's environment," she said. "I think you have to have a very supportive family that is willing to give of your time. You know it's not easy for women who have large families to take a lot of time, so there has to be a balance."

All of the women who spoke to The Royal Gazette said they would welcome more women stepping into politics.

Mrs. Correia said women should have an open mind about it because while the work is difficult the rewards are greater than the difficulties.

Women interested in politics should be passionate and get involved at the constituency level, said Ms Cox.

She suggested that they find a cause they are passionate about and then become advocates for it.

As for advice she would give women who are interested in running, Sen. Spence-Farmer said "find someone in politics who you admire and have a talk with them and do as much research as possible".