Local women interested in politics urged to take part in election training

Women for Election, a non-partisan organisation that has trained women to stand for election since 2012, is calling on women across the Longford-Westmeath constituency to sign up for its next INSPIRE Campaign School, which starts online on Wednesday next, September 29.

Ireland has a poor record for female participation in national and local politics. Just 23% of the country's TDs - 37 out of 160 - are women.

In the last general election, one woman was elected to represent the four-seat Longford-Westmeath constituency, making it one of the 27 constituencies which returned at least female representative. Twelve constituencies - or nearly one third - of the 39 across the country did not.

At a local level, of the 20 councillors elected to Westmeath County Council, four are women, a 20% representation. In Longford, just two of the 18 elected members of the county council are female, an 11% representation.

"Currently, when decisions are made about our lives, our homes, our communities, our businesses, the diversity and value of women's contribution is missing from our politics," said Caitriona Gleeson, CEO of Women for Election.

"A 50-50 gender balance in government is key to Ireland becoming a thriving vibrant society. But we have a long way to go to get there, based on current figures.

"We can change this, starting with greater equality and diversity in local participation and local representation for women," she continued.

"Key to this is providing women from a diverse range of backgrounds and cultures with the training, tools and resilience to come forward as local area or local community representatives, to stand for election and to withstand challenges that they may face as elected representatives."

The INSPIRE Campaign school runs over three consecutive weeks, with training in three key themes with three nationally recognised leaders and mentors: Confidence with Orlaith Carmody on September 29; Communications with Margaret E. Ward on October 6; and Campaigning with Pat Montague on October 13.

The training sessions take place in the evening starting at 6.30 and run for up to 3 hours, with breaks. The cost is €50. However, Women for Election does not want cost to be a barrier to people joining the training and so concessionary rates are available as well as scholarship places.

To find out more about the INSPIRE Campaign School, or to register, go to www.womenforelection.ie or email: hello@womenforelection.ie