Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Female politicians celebrating 90 years of women in the Oireachtas in 2008 James Horan/Photocall Ireland

Major government conference aims to attract more women into politics

The conference, entitled How To Elect More Women, comes in the wake of this week’s legislation which will introduce gender quotas.

THE GOVERNMENT HAS announced a major conference to examine how to attract more women into politics.

The conference, entitled How to Elect More Women is due to be held in Dublin Castle in January.

The move comes in the wake of yesterday’s publication of legislation which sets financial penalties for political parties if they don’t run at least 30 per cent of candidates from either gender.

Kathleen Lynch, the Minister for Equality, said that the Government is committed to a more gender-balanced  political life.

The Minister pointed out that over 90 years since women got the vote, fewer than one in seven TDs are women.

The conferences is designed to encourage women to run for office, said the Minister:

The aim of the conference is to encourage women from an equally diverse range of backgrounds to consider a new role for themselves as political party members, as potential candidates, as contestants in elections and as representatives of both their area and their beliefs in the local and national political arenas.

Gender quotas bill welcomed by women’s groups >

Column:  Gender quotas do women no favours – and undermine democracy >

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
21 Comments
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.
    JournalTv
    News in 60 seconds