Women for Election (Women for Election)

Lobbying Organisation Women for Election

Date published 20 Jan, 2022

Relevant Matter Public policy or programme

Public Policy Area Justice and Equality

Period 1 Sep, 2021 to 31 Dec, 2021

Specific Details Increasing the number of women elected as TD's and Local Councillors. Maternity Leave for Public Representatives. Gender Quotas in Local, European and Seanad Elections. Tackling abuse of politicians. Research of the barriers to women's participation in politics. Remote voting for Dail and Seanad. Childcare/Care expenses to be included in SIPO eligible expenses

Intended results Maternity Leave for Public Representatives and Gender Quotas in Local, European and Seanad Elections. Tackling abuse of political candidates and elected politicians Updated research of the barriers to women's participation in politics Increased number of women running for national and local elections Family Friendly policies and practice for local and national politicians A national government strategy to achieve 50/50 gender in Irish politics Introduction of childcare/care expenses as eligible expenses under SIPO

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Megan Reilly

Did any Designated Public Official(DPO) or former Designated Public Official(DPO) carry out lobbying activities on your behalf in relation to this return? You must include yourself, and answer Yes, if you are a current DPO or a DPO at any time in the past. (What is a Designated Public Official?) No

Did you manage or direct a grassroots campaign? No

Was this lobbying done on behalf of a client? No

Lobbying activity

The following activities occurred for this specific Subject Matter Area.

Meeting (2-5)

Meeting with Minister Simon Harris to raise awareness of our work and programmes Meeting with Maria Walsh to raise awareness of our work and programmes

Virtual Meeting (2-5)

Meeting with Mary Rose Desmond to raise awareness of our work and programmes Meeting with Minister Peter Burke on discussing funding, awareness raising and ‘gender quotas for local government’ and maternity leave and family friendly practice

Event / Reception (1)

Hybrid Online/In-Person Event where public official/leading politician is interviewed re topical issues relating to Women for Elections objective to remove barriers to political participation of women and to role model leadership styles to inspire more women to enter and succeed in Irish politics. Attendees were Ivana Bacik, Roderic O'Gorman, Mairead Farrell, Uruemu Adejinmi and Yemi Adenuga.

Designated public officials lobbied

The following DPOs were lobbied during this return period on this specific Subject Matter Area. These DPOs were involved in at least one of the Lobbying Activities listed above, but not necessarily all of them. As returns are specific to a Subject Matter Area the above Lobbying Activities may be associated with multiple returns.

Ivana Bacik Senator (Seanad)

Roderic O'Gorman Minister (Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth)

Yemi Adenuga Councillor (Meath County Council)

Simon Harris Minister (Department of Further and Higher Education, Innovation and Science)

Maria Walsh MEP (European Parliament)

Uruemu Adejinmi Councillor (Longford County Council)

Mairéad Farrell TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Mary Rose Desmond Councillor (Cork City Council)

Peter Burke Minister of State (Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage)