Latest news with #WomenInPublicLife
BBC News
2 hours ago
- Politics
- BBC News
Guernsey elects first Muslim deputy
The first Muslim deputy in Guernsey has described her journey to office as a "really positive experience".Munazza Malik was elected to join the States of Guernsey after receiving 6,215 votes on Thursday. She said she was "looking forward" to her time in the States and said she would recommend running for election. Ms Malik, who moved to Guernsey five years ago, said: "I feel welcomed, I feel integrated into the community." She added: "I've been here for over five years and I've been part of Women In Public Life since the beginning of last year. "I think that has really encouraged more women like me to understand the local politics and the issues around us, and stand for office." Women In Public Life is a voluntary organisation that formed in 2020 which aims to "inspire and support the women of Guernsey to stand for public office". Discussing how the island can encourage more diversity in the States, Ms Malik said: "I think we need more awareness in the public sector, just reaching out to those communities and making sure they engage in the dialogue. "That's how we make them interested in the local issues and feel welcome." Negative comments David Goy was also elected on Thursday, and he is the island's first deputy of East Asian origin. Discussing his campaign, Mr Goy said he received negative comments about his ethnicity from a "handful" of people."There is just a handful of people who might make certain comments, for example, where you're from but they're not asking a question, they're questioning you and that's a big difference," he said. "There were a few other comments about not being from here and not being local so how can you represent us." But Mr Goy said anyone from a ethnic minority background looking to get into politics should not be concerned by the comment makers. He said: "It's expected but there is so little of them that they're nothing to be concerned about for anyone who's of a different ethnicity and wants to contribute to this island. "I say go ahead and don't let these people be a barrier."
BBC News
11 hours ago
- Politics
- BBC News
Guernsey Election 2025: Eleven women elected to States
The number of female deputies in the States of Guernsey is rising by three, from eight in the current assembly to Lindsay de Sausmarez and Yvonne Burford topped the polls, with Sasha Kazantseva-Miller and Tina Bury coming in the top Andrea Dudley-Owen, Sue Aldwell and Victoria Oliver lost their made up 33% of candidates this year, compared to 24% in 2020. Outside the top 10, first-time candidate Sally Rochester came in was followed by Jennifer Strachan, Munazza Malik, Jayne Ozanne and Haley Camp, who are all new to the Humphreys, another new candidate and member of the Forward Guernsey party, and former deputy Sarah Hansmann Rouxel were the last two candidates over the line. Deputy Tina Bury was re-elected for a second term, coming eighth."It's great to see so many women at the top and more in the list as a whole. I think it has the potential to change the dynamic of the States."Tom Rylatt, a member of the Forward Guernsey party, was the youngest candidate successful in this said: "I think a States that more broadly reflects our community is one that's better placed to serve our community as well."So I think it's fantastic that we have this diverse melting pot of an assembly now." In 2020, eight women were elected, but the number was higher in 2016, with Green is the Chair of Women in Public Life, who's been credited by some candidates as a driving force behind more women standing for said: "We're heading in the right direction, but we've lost three current female deputies I wasn't expecting."Mr Rylatt said, "Almost no-one has worked harder than Shelaine to increase female representation in the States.""She has made a concerted effort over the last five years."
