“Women Rising”- It’s Time for All Voices to be Heard

Published: Wednesday, March 26, 2014

At the launch of our “Women Rising” Manifesto today, National Women’s Council of Ireland (NWCI) are bringing together candidates and voters to discuss the issues that matter for women at a Local and European level, in the first of a series of café-style events aimed at promoting a key women’s dimension to the May 23rd elections. In particular, NWCI are calling for more women of all ages in politics, and will also launch a “Young Women Rising”, a video from our young women’s political caucus. The event will be chaired by journalist Alison O’Connor. 

Louise Glennon, NWCI’s Women in Politics and Decision Making Officer said,
“The ’Women Rising’ Manifesto and events we will be hosting around the country gives candidates an opportunity to take a stand on what matters to women, so that we see a change in the way Irish politics operates. For far too long Ireland has been known for the lack of gender equality in its political decision making, with women accounting for just 17% of city and county councillors and 18.5% of Oireachtas members.  Ireland must see the introduction of practices, policies and values of equality into the local and European election discourse. There is no time for lengthy solutions. We need change now.”

Alice Mary Higgins, NWCI’s Policy and Campaigns Officer said,
“NWCI’s ‘Women Rising’ Manifesto outlines some of the most important questions you can ask your candidates and suggests practical ways that both male and female candidates can rise to the challenge of creating a more equal society. The manifesto highlights six key points, including how to bring women and gender into decision making, how to take a stand on violence against women, how to invest in well planned, quality public services, how to support health and reproductive rights, how to promote economic independence and how to help build and equal and inclusive community. NWCI has 170 member organisations and representatives from a number of those groups will be at the Women Rising event today to discuss these issues in person with their candidates.”

Louise Glennon concluded,
“Women and young women in particular, need to see politics working for young women. This May, the Local and European elections are an important opportunity to support greater participation of women candidates, and of women voters in framing the debate. It is critically important to engage young women, and involve them in creating a more diverse and equal society. The video “Young Women Rising”, which will be launched alongside the “Women Rising” manifesto, gives young women a chance to have their voices heard and their views listened to.”

Young women participating in the “Young Women Rising” film include Fianna Fail’s Kate Feeney, the Green Party’s Darcy Lonergan, Sarah Reilly of Fine Gael, Noeleen Reilly of Sinn Fein and Labour’s Jane Horgan Jones.

Ends/
For more information, please contact Sarah Clarkin, Communications Officer, National Women’s Council of Ireland, Tel. 085 858 9104.

Embargoed copies of National Women’s Council of Ireland’s “Women Rising” manifesto is available upon request.

What: Women Rising Manifesto launch and café event
Where: European Parliament Offices, Molesworth St, Dublin 2
When: Wednesday March 26, 9.30-12.30