Seminar focuses on greater female involvement in local politics

Tipperary Women & Local Politics seminar

Going from community involvement to local politics, the day-to-day reality of being a public representative, and the importance of women putting themselves forward for election so they are equally part of decision-making in the county were topics discussed at a seminar aimed at highlighting a pathway for women into Local Government in Tipperary this week.

The ‘Tipperary Women and Local Politics’ seminar took place in the Source Arts Centre in Thurles with women from all over the county enjoying panel discussions with local politicians as well as hearing from guest speaker, Kathleen O’ Meara. The event was hosted by the Tipperary Women’s Caucus and Tipperary County Council in association with See Her Elected.

Councillors Siobhán Ambrose, Fiona Bonfield, Máirín McGrath, Marie Murphy, Anne Marie Ryan and Caucus Chairperson, Cllr Peggy Ryan, all took part as panellists on the day. Due to prior commitments, Councillors Dr Phyll Bugler, Imelda Goldsboro, and Mary Hanna Hourigan were unable to attend, but supported preparations for the event.

This event brought the voices of Tipperary women in politics and the community together to understand what the role of a councillor entails and about pathways into Tipperary County Council for women.

Guest speaker Kathleen O’ Meara, a public affairs consultant and a former member of Seanad Éireann, North Tipperary County Council and Nenagh Town Council, told the seminar that the masculine culture of politics had begun to change somewhat in her time in politics with misogynist behaviour beginning to be called out. She invited women in politics to contest this culture. Her advice was for women to be bold and to start to get involved in politics, whether as a candidate or as part of a campaign team to see more women elected. In welcoming the event to Tipperary, Cathaoirleach of Tipperary County Council, Councillor Roger Kennedy stated that “the council’s ambition to encourage more women and a greater diversity of people to participate in Local Government to the greatest extent possible.”

In panel discussions, the members of the Tipperary Women’s Caucus shared their journey into politics, described the privilege of being the link between people and the council and gave examples of what helped them get elected. Cllr Máirín McGrath spoke of the importance of organisations like Comhairle na nÓg, where she first cut her political teeth and of her huge respect for anybody who goes forward for election.

Cllr Anne Marie Ryan highlighted the importance of being a part of change with “small wins being just as important as the big wins as people’s lives are affected by decisions made by local authorities.”

Cllr Siobhán Ambrose noted that “just because you grow up in a political household, it doesn’t follow that you will automatically enter into politics”.

Cllr Fiona Bonfield highlighted the importance of grassroots and getting involved in your local community. Her own journey began in Tidy Towns and the GAA. She believes all big ideas start in the community.

Cllr Peggy Ryan spoke of the importance of the women’s caucus in Tipperary in creating a supportive environment in encouraging the county’s female councillors to get to know each other better aside from their formal Council meetings” and “the importance of working together for the benefit of all their communities”.

Joe MacGrath, Chief Executive of Tipperary County Council, said it was one of the most open and interesting discussions he has attended. Dr Michelle Maher, Programme Manager with See Her Elected, the award-winning Government funded project which supports women in rural constituencies to become county councillors described the free resources offered by her organisation to any woman interested in running in the local elections or helping a woman get (re)elected. She invited women who were interested in local politics to get in touch with See Her Elected and join the free online election workshops so that the expertise and knowledge of women is equally taken into account in decision making in county councils.

To find out more about work of See Her Elected and upcoming events and workshops, see www.seeherelected.ie or email admin@seeherelected.ie.