To mark the European and Local elections, of 23 May 2014, NWCI published the Women Rising Manifesto and held the Women Rising Series.
The manifesto outlined the issues of greatest importance to our members at election time. These issues include violence against women, women in decision making, and women’s economic independence among others.
This series sought to bring the important issues directly to the candidates and to provide a space for them to engage with NWCI members, their electorate, side by side and in greater detail.
We launched the series in Dublin last March, and from there we travelled to Cork and Cavan. In total, approximately 130 people participated in the series across the three meetings. New relationships were established, and re-connections were made, with all three groups leaving the meeting energised about the issues and their ability to participate.
The elections of 23 May, 2014, were the first to take place since the government passed legislation for gender quotas at General Election time. While quotas did not apply, the elections did act as a strong indicator as to each party’s approach to gender quotas, and the degree of importance that they have given to the need for more women in politics in Ireland.
Election Updates
