Historic first-ever networking event to mark Women’s Caucus

THE DEPUTY Mayor of South Dublin County, Councillor Laura Donaghy, and Councillor Emma Murphy hosted a historic first-ever networking event on International Women’s Day, March 8 to celebrate the launch of the South Dublin County Council Women’s Caucus.

The South Dublin County Council Women’s Caucus has been set up to increase women’s engagement and representation in local politics. The caucus is for women councillors, past and present, of all parties and parties of none, to discuss and campaign on issues predominantly affecting women.

The recently formed Women’s Caucus has adopted an action plan that sets out four key priorities for the caucus in the years ahead which include – informal networking, motions and policy, increasing female leadership participation countywide and to tackle barriers for women in politics in the council.

The South Dublin County Council women’s caucus plans to hold an annual general meeting in December each year and will promote its work through the South Dublin County Council website.

Speaking at the event, Cllr Emma Murphy, Chair of the South Dublin County Council Women’s Caucus, said: “A year to the day since the motion was passed to establish the caucus, it is wonderful to launch the caucus formally and to meet in person for the first time. The caucus is going to be invaluable to the development and support of women who are engaging with or who wish to engage in the political spectrum in South Dublin.

“The caucus is for women councillors, past and present, of all parties and parties of none, to discuss and campaign on issues predominantly affecting women. I am delighted that we can hold an event such as this on International Women’s Day and to have councillors past and present coming together in County Hall.

“Since 1995 we have had just 44 women elected or co-opted to South Dublin County Council and the learnings from past elected representatives are going to be critical to the development of the caucus and it is wonderful to see some of them here this evening.”