One in two women in politics face abuse

A total of 52% of women attending their election workshops as part of their preparation for the 2024 local elections reported incidences of abuse.

ese women and all women in rural Ireland who are getting ready for the 2024 local elections have made their views on safe participation in public life known via the See Her Elected organisation to a task force established by the Ceann Comhairle, Deputy Séan Ó Fearghaíl, and the Cathaoirleach, Senator Jerry Buttimer in Leinster House.

Women want to see political parties be much more proactive at stamping out abuse and harassment that happens within the setting of party meetings or which involves party members. Strong scepticism at the commitment of social media platforms to the safety of those in public life was also expressed, and women have asked the task force to tackle this.

Ideas that they would like to see considered are a central point of contact to call as and when harassment and abuse unfolds, and they question why home addresses are required on nomination papers.

See Her Elected (SHE) – the award-winning Government funded programme to support women in rural constituencies to become county councillors – surveyed women attending their election workshops as part of their preparation for the 2024 local elections.

Incidences of abuse were catalogued by 52%, with 48% never having encountered abuse or harassment.

e threat of abuse doesn’t emerge as the absolute deterrent to women running in the local elections that might be expected. Judging perpetra- tSnáthaid Mhór; Barzaz; Cló Iar-Chonnacht; Cló Léann na Gaeilge (CLÓ); Dalen Éireann; Futa Fata; Leabhar Breac; LeabhairCOMHAR agus Picnic Press. Full details of works are available below.

“ e requisite set of skills for successfully stewarding a book on its journey from the author’s rst draft all the way into the hands of the reader is a multifaceted one in the fast paced world of today”, said Máirín Nic Dhonnchadha, CEO of An tOireachtas. “And we are fortunate to have so many leading edge publishers bringing beautifully crafted Irish-medium books to the market. I congratulate the publishing houses appearing on this year’s shortlists as well as the authors, illustrators, editors, designers and translators involved in the publication of all of these exceptional books.

“Readers will be spoiled for choice with the range and diversity of works shortlisted which include novels, collections of essays and poetry, picture books for our young readers and exquisite translations from other languages,” she said. e winners of the awards will be announced at an awards ceremony at the end of September. A collective prize fund of €17,000 will be awarded.

* Details of all publications are available at www.antoireachtas.ie.