Advertisement

Readers like you keep news free for everyone.

More than 5,000 readers have already pitched in to keep free access to The Journal.

For the price of one cup of coffee each week you can help keep paywalls away.

Support us today
Not now
Friday 29 September 2023 Dublin: 15°C

# Women in Politics

This year
2023
Oireachtas costs rose to €141.5m last year as more security was needed for politicians
The Commission said that “protecting female members” of the Oireachtas is of particular importance.
Taskforce on protecting politicians from abuse to meet today
A final report will be completed by 31 December 2023.
Last year
2022
Report details abuse experienced by women from ethnic minority backgrounds while canvassing
One interviewee described how some people “just open the door, it’s enough to see your face and they shut it again”.
All time
Opinion: It’s harder for the Dublin Bay South voters to not elect a woman - and that's progress
Caitriona Gleeson of Women for Election says Ireland’s record of women entering politics is a matter of concern but this by-election is a step forward.
Minister Anne Rabbitte: 'The voice at the end of the line told me to back down or they'd come for me'
The Fianna Fáil TD for Galway East describes the highs and worrying lows of life as a woman in Irish politics.
'It was misogynistic': Government leaders hit out at cartoon depicting Mary Lou McDonald as a witch
The Taoiseach, Tánaiste and Green Party leader jointly condemned the drawing.
'A deeply sexist trope': Criticism of newspaper witch cartoon of Mary Lou McDonald
The National Women’s Council of Ireland has said such depictions deter women from entering politics.
Pregnancy, parenting and politics: 'It's not advisable to go on a campaign trail two weeks postpartum'
This week saw the government announce Justice Helen McEntee will take six months of paid maternity leave, but the conversation has already turned to bigger questions.
Ocasio-Cortez criticises Republican congressman over 'f***ing bitch' comment
Ocasio-Cortez said Ted Yoho’s comments were symptomatic of a wider problem of attitudes towards women.
General election to feature in upcoming debates of the Citizens' Assembly on Gender Equality
The assembly is meeting this weekend to begin a structured examination of gender and gender stereotyping in Ireland.
Plan for 'bad weather' and 'watch out for dragons in your own party': What FF and FG are telling women election candidates
Two of the main political parties have held training events for women contemplating a life in politics.
Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is changing the face of US politics - here's how
She made history last week.
Substitutes for female politicians on maternity leave should be considered, says Taoiseach
To do so in Ireland would require modification of our electoral system, said Leo Varadkar.
Barack Obama is urging women to get more involved in politics as 'men have been getting on my nerves'
Reading the newspapers, Barack is scratching his head at men’s behaviour.
Leo says 'bullying won't be tolerated in Fine Gael' following sexism allegations made by senator
The issue was raised as a passing comment at a private meeting where there was a larger debate about women in politics.
Joan Burton has a lot to say about Enda Kenny's 'cop-out' on abortion
The former Tánaiste talks abortion, rent supplement and why women have to be tough to be in Irish politics.
Despite a pledge by Enda Kenny, no increase in the number of female ministers
Campaigners have criticised the appointments, and called for progress in the selection of junior ministers.
We now have more female TDs than ever before - but do we really have gender quotas to thank?
A comprehensive analysis of the historic election of 35 women to the 32nd Dáil.
'Downton Abbey and tea cups': We’ve a fairly dreadful record of sexism in Irish politics
Joan Burton got lots of criticism for her body language during last Monday’s leaders’ debate – but why, asks Lorraine Courtney.
Number of women running in next election already exceeds 2011 levels
So far 89 women have confirmed candidacy – and we don’t even know when they election will be yet.
After Averil's shock departure, how do other parties shape up in terms of women?
We spoke to all of the main parties about reaching the 30% gender quota.
Whatever about What Averil Did Next, what about the future of the Soldiers of Destiny?
How will the party cope with the sudden loss of Averil Power – aka 50% of its female parliamentarians?
Poll: Do you think we need more women in politics?
Just 27 of Ireland’s 166 TDs are female but gender quotas will be in place for the next General Election.
'Deeply, deeply misogynistic': Women share their experiences of life in politics
Just 27 of Ireland’s 166 TDs are female, but are gender quotas the best way to increase this figure?
Local election candidate subjected to 'vile abuse' for being pregnant
Fianna Fáil’s Lorraine Clifford says the abuse shows why women are discouraged from entering politics.
Mary Lou McDonald says she ‘has what it takes’ to be Sinn Féin’s next leader
She said to be in politics you need to have cop on and back bone – and she says both.
Dublin Councillor calls for 50% of seats to go to women in local elections
Mary Fitzpatrick says she wants to see “a real commitment to gender equality”.
Column: I’ve been involved in politics since before I could vote – but it's still a man’s world
Industry is leading the way in discovering the benefits of gender balanced boardrooms, and the business of politics should be no different, writes Emer Higgins.
There are 6 ways to make the Oireachtas more women friendly, says NWCI
Maternity leave, working hours and acceptable behaviours are all things that need to be tackled, finds research.
Column: For the first time, a woman is to be the mayor of Paris
The campaign race for Paris city hall has the city abuzz as – for the first time in the 2,000 year history of the capital – a female will be mayor, writes Natalie Tennyson.
Senator gathers all the ladies of Leinster House for photo shoot
The occasion will mark the 95th anniversary of the 1918 General Election – and Ivana Bacik hopes to have a majority of women in the chamber for the first time ever.
Column: More female voices are needed in Irish politics to tackle societal imbalances
Only when a large enough proportion of elected representatives are female will the challenges, interests and life experiences applicable to women properly gain a voice in Ireland, writes Fianna Fail Ard Fheis candidate Laura Reid.
Clinton most admired woman in US for 17th time
First Lady Michelle Obama came second to Clinton.
Women of the west urged to take first step into political life
The Women for Election Galway Inspire event kicked off this morning.
'Brilliant blue eyes and dark red hair,' the New York Times on Kathleen Lynch
The esteemed American newspaper’s reference to Lynch’s hair colour is reminiscent of Taoiseach Enda Kenny’s recent gaffe.
Gender quotas welcome - but 'token' women candidates won't work
Female politicians relate their personal experiences of running for office in a male-dominated political world at Dublin Castle conference.
Leinster House is 'unnatural' - Gilmore
Speaking at a conference in Dublin this afternoon on how to elect more women, Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore compared Leinster House to a boarding school for its lack of gender balance.
Irish system has failed to provide higher number of women TDs: Taoiseach
Enda Kenny told a women in politics conference about his personal sacrifices in pursing politics and discussed gender quotas.
Column: There ARE barriers to women participating in politics
Political scholar Claire McGing says a gender quota for elections is one step to balance – but meaningful change requires more than that.
Gender quotas bill welcomed by women's groups
The legislation will halve the funding for political parties if they don’t run at least 30 per cent of candidates of either gender.