‘Women in Politics’ event headlines news-makers

“Women have borne the brunt of the crisis and successive Governments’ austerity programmes,” Mary Lou said. “Cuts to Community Employment Schemes, Home Help Hours and Lone Parent Allowances have all hit women hardest.”

IRISH DAILY STAR Political Correspondent Catherine Halloran, Siobhán O’Donoghue (Director of the Migrant Rights Centre Ireland), and Eoin Murray of the National Women’s Council of Ireland were the keynote speakers at a ‘Women in Politics’ forum for Sinn Féin in Dublin hosted by the National Women’s Council.

Election candidate Noeleen Reilly of Sinn Féin said:

“The challenges facing women involved in politics start long before we decide to stand in elections. Getting involved in party structures often dominated by men and balancing childcare and work commitments with political activism can be seen to be really difficult but we don’t want women to be put off — we want more women involved.”

Sinn Féin deputy leader and Dublin Central TD Mary Lou McDonald encouraged more women to make their voices heard.

“Women have borne the brunt of the crisis and successive Governments’ austerity programmes,” Mary Lou said. “Cuts to Community Employment Schemes, Home Help Hours and Lone Parent Allowances have all hit women hardest.”

The Five Cs

Eoin Murray, who co-ordinates the Women in Politics & Decision Making Project for the National Women’s Council, facilitated a discussion and workshop on ‘Barriers for Women Entering Political Life’. This included ‘The Five Cs’: childcare, culture, cash, confidence and candidate selection.

Siobhán O’Donoghue, a leading community activist, including with Claiming Our Future, gave an energetic and practical presentation on campaign building.

Catherine Halloran, Political Correspondent with the Irish Daily Star, described her own challenges as a female journalist in a male-dominated environment and spoke about women promoting issues in the media.

Councillor Críona Ní Dhálaigh gave an insight into the workings on Dublin City Council and her experience as a woman, a mother and a Sinn Féin councillor. “While the work of a councillor is very tough, it is without doubt the most rewarding job I have ever undertaken.”

• If you would like to know more about upcoming events for women in Sinn Féin, contact: [email protected].