Women aim to change landscape of politics
A More Inclusive Politics for Westmeath (part 1)
It looks like women are set to change the landscape of politics locally and nationally, judging by the energy and enthusiasm evident at a seminar on Inclusive Politics for Westmeath held in Mullingar last Saturday.
The county council chambers were packed with women and there were only four men in attendance, a ratio reversal of the norm as the council has only four female members.
The seminar was hosted by the council, who produced a booklet in collaboration with See Her Elected providing information on how to register to vote, and to run as or support a candidate in the local elections.
Pat Gallagher, chief of Westmeath County Council, with Anne Galvin, Caroline Byrne and Ronan Smyth of the council staff, Councillors Hazel Smyth, Aoife Davitt, Emily Wallace and Louise Heavin, along with Cllrs Frank McDermott and Frankie Keena were behind the initiative.
Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs, Peter Burke, TD, opened the event, and as minister with responsibility for local government (his previous role), he introduced changes that included maternity leave and direct supports for councillors.
The seminar was aimed at increasing the number and diversity of women in local government. Speakers included the four female councillors, plus Sorca Clarke, TD, Tina Adagun from the Athlone Women’s Forum, historian Ruth Illingworth, and Lorna McGreehan of Westmeath County Council.
Two women from the Westmeath Community Development Traveller Health Project were scheduled to attend on the day, but were unable to do so.
Sinéad Doody of Doody Facilitating and Consulting acted as MC. Also present were Michelle Maher and Mairead O’Shea from See Her Elected.
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