12 MEP candidates across all constituencies sign up to NWCI’s #FeministEurope manifesto

Published: Thursday, April 11, 2019

In the few hours since the #FeministEurope manifesto was launched, MEP candidates across all three European constituencies have signed the National Women’s Council of Ireland (NWCI) manifesto. This includes candidates from Fine Gael, Fianna Fail, the Social Democrats, Sinn Fein, Labour, the Green Party, the Workers Party and People Before Profit.

The manifesto calls for candidates to commit to progressing feminist policies that promote an inclusive and sustainable Europe, if elected.

Dublin has the highest number of sign ups so far, with Fine Gael’s Frances Fitzgerald, Independent Alice Mary Higgins and Gary Gannon of the Social Democrats signed up, alongside The Green Party’s Ciaran Cuffe, Lynn Boylan of Sinn Fein and the Workers’ Party candidate Eilis Ryan showing their commitment to make a decisive stand for a feminist Europe.

In Ireland South, Shelia Nunan of the Labour Party was the first candidate overall to sign the manifesto, and the Green Party’s Grace O’Sullivan has also committed to supporting feminist policies in Europe, if elected. Fianna Fail’s Malcom Byrne has also signed up.

Fine Gael’s Maria Walsh signed up first in the Midlands North West constituency, followed by People Before Profit’s Cyril Brennan and Saoirse McHugh of the Green Party.

Orla O’Connor, Director of NWCI said,

“It is important to see candidates willing to make a decisive stand for a feminist Europe. Many of the challenges women face are global challenges that require solutions at a European and global level.  The European Union can seem distant, but we know that over the next five years, MEPs will be making important decisions on key issues affecting women’s lives today, a key example being the implementation of the Directive on Work-Life-Balance which will set minimum benchmarks for parental, paternity and carer’s leave, and the right to request flexible working arrangements.”

Laura Harmon, Women in Leadership  Coordinator said,

“NWCI members and women across Ireland are asking MEPs on social media and through emails, to commit to signing our #FeministEurope manifesto. The women of Ireland know that Ireland’s membership of the European Union has been a positive force for equality, and that it is crucial that the European Parliament continues to have a strong progressive mandate that favours policies for women. Advances in equality for women in work, such as pay equality, family leave and childcare, demonstrate how powerful Europe can be at advancing key issues, and we need to ensure that Irish voters send the strongest possible feminist candidates to Europe.”

NWCI European election hustings will take place as follows:

Dublin Hustings, 16 April, 6 - 8 pm, Radisson Blue Hotel, Golden Lane, Dublin 8
Galway Hustings, 7 May, 6 - 8 pm, Harbour Hotel Galway, New Dock St, Galway
Cork Hustings, 15 May, 6 - 8 pm, Nano Nagle Place, Douglas Street, Cork

 

NWCI’s European election campaign is being supported by the European Parliament. NWCI is encouraging voters to pledge their vote as part of the European Parliament initiative – This time I’m voting.

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For more information, please contact Sarah Clarkin, Communications and Social Media Officer, 085 8619087.