Gender Equality Committee to hear from Women for Election and See Her Elected in relation to leadership in politics, public life and the workplace

Representatives from Women for Election, See Her Elected and Dr Fiona Buckley from University College Cork will address the meeting.

The meeting will take place in Committee Room 2 of Leinster House between 09:30-12:00.

Speaking ahead of the meeting, Committee Cathaoirleach Deputy Ivana Bacik said: “We look forward to discussing the issue of women in politics and the recommendations of the Citizens’ Assembly in relation to leadership in politics, public life and the workplace.

“Dr Fiona Buckley’s research shows that, while there has been some positive change since the introduction of gender quotas for elections, we are still some distance away from gender parity in political representation in Ireland. Women for Election and See Her Elected do great work in helping to solve the high level of gender inequality in politics and advocate for system change to make politics more accessible to women or those thinking of entering public life.

“The latest data reveals that Ireland is ranked 100th in the world for the percentage of women in national parliament with men occupying ¾ or 77% of Dáil seats and 74% of council seats. The absence of women in national and local politics and the overall lack of diversity hampers decision making and can skew policy making decisions.”

“Our witnesses to date have had different views on how best to progress women in the workplace and politics through quotas, remote work, and family leave and more flexible working. We welcome the opportunity to hear the views of representatives tomorrow."

Watch the meeting live on Oireachtas TV or on the Oireachtas smartphone app for Apple and Android.