#FemGen: NWCI calls for a sexism free general election campaign

Published: Wednesday, February 03, 2016

With news that the general election will be called todayy, the National Women’s Council of Ireland is calling on all candidates and supporters to conduct a sexism free campaign, that concentrates on crucial issues of women’s equality.

Orla O’Connor, Director of NWCI said,
“As the 31st Dail is dissolved and we are entering into the 2016 general election campaign, NWCI is calling for a sexism free campaign. The gender quota has ensured that, for the first time, voters will have a real choice to vote for more women, and the 2016 general election has the potential to be a breakthrough election for women. The numbers of women declared show that the quota has worked at getting women on the ticket, and issues of women’s equality are already proving to be central to policy discussions.”

Louise Glennon, Women in Leadership Co-Ordinator at NWCI said,
“Everyone has a role to play in ensuring that the campaign is conducted respectfully. Women should be judged on what they say and do, and not how they look. Where there are panel discussions, both producers and political parties should insist on gender balance. It is important that key issues of women’s equality such as abortion, childcare and economic independence are central to media debates and discussions, while it is equally important that we hear women’s voices in fiscal and economic discussions, as well as in those of childcare and violence against women.”

Orla O’Connor concluded,
“Economic decisions taken over the past five years have hit women hardest, yet we rarely hear women consulted on economic matters. Gender balance means equal numbers of women and men on media panels, but also that the impact of economic decisions and major issues such as housing, health and crime, on women, are also discussed. As it stands, over 125 candidates have signed up to our Breakthrough Manifesto, demonstrating their support for concrete policies that will be crucial to accelerate the pace of change for women’s equality in Ireland. We will be continuing to highlight the importance of women’s equality throughout the general election campaign, using our popular Twitter hashtag, #FemGen.”

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For more information, please contact Sarah Clarkin, Communications Officer, Tel. 085 861 9087.