Only eleven percent of Donegal County Councillors are women, more than half the national average.
The four females elected to the 2019-2024 council were Marie Therese Gallagher (Sinn Féin) in Glenties, Niamh Kennedy (Independent) in Donegal, Rena Donaghy (Fianna Fáil) and newcomer Noreen McGarvey
(Fianna Fáil) for Glenties.
Nearly all local city and county councils are also experiencing a democratic deficit, according to a report released today.
Women only make up on average 25% of local council seats, despite accounting for over half the population.
There are currently more Michaels elected to Mayo County Council and more men called John elected to Waterford City and County Council, Offaly County Council and Carlow County Council than there are women.
Internationally, Irish women in politics didn’t fare much better. Ireland was placed 101st in the latest world rankings for the number of female parliamentarians. We are lagging far behind countries like Afghanistan, Iraq and China and just ahead of Panama and the Ukraine.
“There is a clear and pressing need for more women to be supported to run for the next local and general elections,” said Caitríona Gleeson,
CEO of Women for Election.
Urgent need for more women to be supported to enter politics
