Ministers Browne and Cummins allocate €190,000 to support greater participation of women in local government
- Foilsithe:
- An t-eolas is déanaí:
Funding for Women for Election who work to achieve full representation of women
James Browne T.D., Minister for Housing Local Government and Heritage, together with John Cummins, Minister of State for Local Government, have today announced funding of €190,000 for Women for Election, a national, not-for-profit, non-partisan organisation, which works to help achieve full representation of women “in all their diversity” in Irish politics. The organisation’s work focuses on equipping and supporting women to enter and succeed in political life, as well as raising awareness to reduce the systemic barriers faced by women in the political sphere.
Speaking about the funding announcement today, Minister Browne said:
“While record numbers of female candidates contested the 2024 local elections, there is still plenty of work to be done towards our goal of making our council chambers fully reflective of the communities they serve. Groups like Women for Election are essential to making that goal a reality. They provide the focused, needs based training that is essential to the success of candidates.”
Women for Election support potential female candidates through training, capacity building events and mentoring supports, and have helped substantial numbers of women become involved in politics at both national and local level. They also conduct important research which helps to inform Departmental policy.
Today’s funding announcement comes as part of an ongoing programme of initiatives by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage aimed at increasing the representation of women and people of diversity in Irish local government. The Department also runs funding schemes targeting political parties and local authorities, alongside support for local and regional level women’s caucuses.
Concluding, Minister of State Cummins said:
“It is my hope that this funding will continue to assist Women for Election to affect real change. While we can see the positive impact of our efforts in the 2024 local elections, now is not the time to become complacent. It is my hope that in 2025 we can capitalise on the great work already done and, in advance of the next local elections, continue to work to achieve truly equitable representation for all at local level.”
ENDS