“How To Elect More Women” Conference in Dublin Castle

Kathleen Lynch, Minister for Disability, Equality, Mental Health & Older People,  together with the Irish Government Department of Justice & Equality are collaborating with …

Support from European Social Fund, they are organising a major public Conference on Friday 20 January 2012 – in Dublin Castle starting at 09:00 with tea and coffee and closing @ 1615.

Pre-register (essential) @ politicsconference@justice.ie

What a line-up!

Facilitator :  Olivia O’Leary
Opening Address:
Alan Shatter, Minister for Justice, Equality & Defence
International Speakers:
Ms Ajla Van Heel, Poland, Ms Nan Sloane UK

Irish Speakers: [in draft programme order]
Mary White, former Minister for Equality; Claire McGing, NUI Maynooth; Senator Ivana Bacik; Susan McKay, CEO National Women’s Council of Ireland; Minister Kathleen Lynch; Deputy Catherine Byrne, Fine Gael; Deputy Sandra McLellan, Sinn Féin; Deputy Catherine Murphy, Independent; Senator Averil Power, Fianna Fáil; Councillor Jane Dillon Byrne, Labour; Tom Curran, General Secretary, Fine Gael; Ms Ita McAuliffe, General Secretary, Labour Party; Seán Dorgan, General Secretary, Fianna Fáil; Ms Ailbhe Smyth, ‘People Before Profit Alliance’.

Also, there will be a Leaders’ Round Table with
Taoiseach & Leader of Fine Gael, Enda Kenny
Tánaiste & Leader of Labour Party, Eamon Gilmore
Leader of Fianna Fáil, Micheál Martin
Leader of the Green Party, Eamon Ryan

Final Words:  Minister Kathleen Lynch

There will be an Open Discussion after each speaking session.

About this Conference:
… This Conference is an opportunity for an open dialogue with international & national experts including academics, politicians, political activists, party administrators & Party leaders, about the steps that need to be taken to ensure that women are more equally represented in Irish political life in the future.” [extract from Draft Conference Programme]

Who may attend the Conference?
The Conference is open to all but is likely to be of greatest interest to 

  • women who might already be actively involved in community, business, public or political life;
  • women who are curious about how political life works in Ireland;
  • anyone involved in political life in Ireland;
  • anyone interested in advancing the role of women in all aspects of Irish life.” [draft Conference Programme]
More information & Queries:
Phone +353 1 4790263/4790293 Gender Equality Division, Department of Justice & Equality  
The 50:50 Group welcomes
this important Conference & will be attending.  One of the speakers, Claire McGing is a member of 50:50 Dublin.  She’ll speak on “Why do we need more women in politics & how do we get there.

 

 

Counting Women In – UK campaign

In the UK, the Counting Women In campaign is aiming for 50/50 gender representation at all levels of national, local & devolved government.

The campign will be fighting to ensure women have an equal presence & voice within their democratic system. Counting Women In website is here:

The website clearly demonstrates a collaboration of interested organisations.

‘The call for change is growing and not-for-profit organisations and community groups are joining with us to demand an equal voice for women in politics’ (Counting Women In, 2011).

Should the 50:50 group be going in the same direction of collaboration with other interested groups?