The National Women's Council has expressed its deep disappointment at the significant gender imbalance in the new Government. There are only six women amongst the record number of 23 Junior Ministers. This follows the decision to decrease the number of women in the Cabinet from 4 to 3.
Monaghan woman Rachel Coyle is Head of Campaigns and Mobilisation with NWC. Speaking to Northern Sound, Rachel says women make up over half of the population and our voices and experiences are crucial for the functioning of our democracy. She went on to highlight her concerns about the message this gives on the Government's commitment to women's equality. According to Rachel, it is therefore all the more important that the Government prioritises actions that will promote the participation and representation of women in all aspects of society, including leadership in politics.
Meanwhile, Rachel welcomed the nomination of 7 women by the Taoiseach to the Seanad as a step to address women’s underrepresentation in our Oireachtas. However, the overall picture of women’s representation in national politics following the General and Seanad election remains deeply disappointing. NWC is calling on the Government to prioritise actions that will promote the participation and representation of women in all aspects of society, including leadership in politics. "Despite a record number of 246 women running in the General Election, we only saw a marginal increase in the number of women elected, rising from 37 to 44 (25%). There is also only a slight improvement for the representation of women in the Seanad with 20 women being elected, up from 15 in 2020, and 7 women nominated by the Taoiseach today. This brings the overall number of women to 27 out of 60 (up from 24 out of 60 previously). It was deeply disappointing to see the number of women in the Cabinet decrease from 4 to 3 and only 6 women appointed as Super Junior Ministers amongst a record number of 23 overall."
