Upcoming elections in Faroe Islands see record number of women candidates for local politics

The upcoming municipal elections in the Faroe Islands may mark a significant milestone for gender equality in local politics. For the first time, a record number of women are standing for election.

Women’s ballots have long served as an effective tool for promoting gender balance in political representation, and they are poised to play a crucial role in the 2024 municipal elections.

In municipalities such as Sunda and Sjóvar, initiatives have been taken to increase female representation through dedicated women’s lists. Currently, only one of the eleven council members in Sunda is a woman, and not a single woman was elected in Sjóvar’s last election. Advocates from women’s lists are determined to change this trend.

The concept of women’s lists is not new. According to advocacy group Demokratia, significant efforts have been made to encourage more women to enter politics in the Faroe Islands and neighboring countries. The first women’s list in the Faroe Islands was established in 1956 by the Women’s Association in Tórshavn, leading to the election of one woman to the city council. A significant leap in female representation occurred in 1988, when the number of women in municipal councils surged from 14 to 33, with women’s lists fielding candidates in seven municipalities.

The 2024 elections could further reshape the landscape for gender equality in Faroese politics, as this election sees an unprecedented number of women standing for office. Of the candidates across the country, there are 337 men and 219 women, meaning women make up 39.4 percent of all candidates. This figure is approaching the minimum threshold of 40 percent representation needed for gender parity.