Houses of the Oireachtas hosts event to mark International Women’s Day 2023 in the Dáil chamber

Today, Monday the 6th of March 2023, the Houses of the Oireachtas service welcomed women from diverse, disability and minority groups across the country into the Dáil chamber to engage with the Women’s Caucus on the theme: ‘Gender equality in Irish politics’.

One representative from five groups made a 3-minute statement on 'Gender equality in Irish politics'. Each statement was addressed by a member of the Women’s Caucus. A lottery was held to choose the groups and the speakers and groups chosen to address the event were:

• Lilith Ferreyra-Carroll  from TENI (Transgender Equality Network Ireland) -  addressed by Senator Annie Hoey
• Helena Power from the Irish Traveller Movement - addressed by Deputy Violet - Anne Wynne 
• Dr. Caroline Munyi from AkiDwA: National Network of Migrant Women - addressed by Senator Mary Fitzpatrick
• Andrea Reilly from EPIC (Empowering People in Care) - addressed by Deputy Patricia Ryan
• Caitlin Faye Maniti from ISSU (Irish Second-Level Students' Union) - addressed by Deputy Ivana Bacik

The event was chaired by Senator Fiona O'Loughlin - the chair of the Women's Caucus. 

Chief Executive Officer of Women for Election Caitriona Gleeson said of the event: 

"Today is a wonderful day for women in politics. To see the Dáil chamber open to women from all backgrounds to mark IWD is a huge boost to the continued campaign to achieve 50/50 gender representation in Irish politics. Ireland needs more women in all levels of politics to ensure a robust and representative democracy. 

We are so grateful to have the support of the Women's Caucus, the Houses of the Oireachtas Staff and the Ceann Comhairles office to make today possible."

The overall aim of the event was to promote a more diverse and representative parliament and to mark a defining moment on the journey to 50/50 representation in Irish politics. 

Notes to Editor 

Maxwells Photography will send photos of the event to newsdesks. 

View a selection and download images from the event on the Oireachtas Flickr account here.

The event will be available to view on the Oireachtas website.

TENI

Transgender Equality Network Ireland (TENI) seeks to improve conditions and advance the rights and equality of trans people and their families. Their vision is a world where all people, regardless of gender identity or expression, enjoy full acceptance, equality and human rights.

Irish Traveller Movement

National membership-based traveller organisation that represents local regional and national Traveller groups and organisations across Ireland.

AkiDwA

Akina Dada wa Africa, or AkiDwA for short, is a national network of migrant women living in Ireland. Akina Dada wa Africa means sisterhood in Swahili. Over the last two decades, AkiDwA has gained recognition as a leading NGO highlighting the issues faced by migrant women in Ireland.

EPIC

Empowering People in Care is described by Sadhbh O'Brien, Pariticaption Officer with EPIC, as wanting to create a "...care aware Ireland, where every child in the care system is valued, respected, and heard. Through participation we aim to achieve this by providing opportunities for connection, fun, and growth, as well as opportunities for action by working on campaigns and projects to bring about the changes that our Care Community want to see.”  

ISSU

ISSU (Irish Second-Level Students' Union) is the National Representative Body for School Student Councils. The union defines itself as representing, defending and uplifting the student voice.