Women candidates in cavanmonaghan almost at 2011 levels

The percentage of women candidates intending to contest the general election in Cavan-Monaghan is currently almost at 2011 levels, according to Women for Election.

The group is a non-partisan, not-for-profit organisation set up to encourage and train more women into entering public life as the closing date for applications for their three day residential political campaign school EQUIP approaches.

According to Women for Election’s Director of Operations and Campaigns Suzanne Collins, female candidates or campaign managers would really benefit from attending EQUIP 2015, which is being run with the support of the Ireland Funds.

“Preparation and planning is the key to any campaign and EQUIP 2015 will provide female candidates, potential candidates and their campaign managers with the training, skills and advice to run their best campaign,' said Ms Collins. 

“Women for Election have brought together national and international experts to cover every facet of a campaign from building a team, campaign strategy, media training, social media strategy, advice on how to read polls, pitch stories to local and national media, good campaign governance, fundraising and much more. After the three days candidates will have their campaign plan and know how to execute it effectively while maximising whatever resources they have available to them.

“The percentage of women candidates in Cavan-Monaghan is just below that of 2011. In 2011, there were over 35% of women candidates in the county but this time women already make up over 33% of the candidates in Cavan-Monaghan. There is still a way to go in terms of candidate selection and declaration, we are hopeful that Cavan-Monaghan will exceed 2011 numbers.

“So far one woman has been officially selected [Senator Kathryn Reilly of Ballyjamesduff is selected, with three others, Cllr Niamh Smyth of Bailieborough, Deputy Heather Humphreys and Margaret Conlon of Fianna Fail yet to get through a convention] in Cavan-Monaghan. We are hopeful that more women will come forward, and EQUIP will provide them with all of the know-how and insights they need.

“The closing date for applications is the 24th of August and more information can be found at womenforelection.ie or by emailing equip@womenforelection.ie.”