Following her participation in the ‘Women in Leadership’ conference at the European Parliament Office in Dublin, Sinn Féin South Down MLA Caitriona Ruane has highlighted the urgent need to encourage more women into local and national politics.
Ms Ruane said: “I am delighted to have been invited to speak at the ‘Women In Leadership’ conference and I intend to lead on the imbalance in the number of women in leadership positions in public and private life across Ireland.
“Despite comprising 52% of the population of Ireland, women’s participation in politics is around 18% while the number of women in leadership positions in areas like banking, judiciary and other areas of influence is also extremely low.
“While I am delighted to see the outstanding contributions made by women such as the Minister for Agriculture Michelle O’Neill, and locally by Naomi Baillie, the first ever chairperson of the new Newry, Mourne and Down District Council, and women councillors such as Sinead Ennis, it is extremely disappointing that just 18.5 % of councillors in the new council are women.
“It is vital that we change attitudes and remove glass ceilings so that we encourage more young women into worthwhile careers but this will only happen if they have confidence that promotion prospects are on an equal basis with men.
“It is heartening to see Naomi and her colleagues acting as ambassadors, encouraging young women to participate in politics and to play a major role in society generally,” added Ms Ruane.
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