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11 Apr 19

National Women's Council of Ireland launches European Election Campaign

The National Women’s Council of Ireland has launched its European Election campaign today (11 April), calling on voters to give a strong mandate to the European Parliament to progress feminist policies that promote an inclusive and sustainable Europe for all.

To kick off the campaign NWCI launches its Feminist Manifesto for Europe today, which outlines key demands in relation to six core policy areas where the European Union has impact. These include women’s leadership, violence against women, economic independence, care, equality at work and climate change.

NWCI is calling on all European election candidates to publicly sign up to its Feminist Manifesto through its dedicated European Election webpage, https://www.nwci.ie/european-elections2019

Speaking about the launch, Orla O’Connor, Director of NWCI said: “We are inviting candidates and voters to support our manifesto and make a decisive stand for a feminist Europe. Many of the challenges women face are global challenges that require solutions at a European and global level. For many years, women in Ireland have hugely benefitted from the European Union. Key achievements for women in work, such as pay equality, family leave and childcare, happened due to action taken at European level. It is crucial that the European Parliament continues to have a strong progressive mandate that favours policies for women.”

As part of its #FeministEurope campaign, NWCI will also be hosting a number of hustings that will be a unique opportunity for voters to question candidates on their vision for a feminist Europe.

Laura Harmon, Women in Leadership Coordinator with NWCI said,

“Many young people, and in particular young women, have been mobilised in Ireland as part of recent political campaigns. We hope our campaign will raise awareness about relevance of the European elections and encourage all voters to get out and make use of their vote on May 24th.”

NWCI hustings will take place as follows:

Dublin Hustings, 16 April, 6 - 8 pm, Radisson Blue Hotel, Golden Lane, Dublin 8
Galway Hustings, 7 May, 6 - 8 pm, Harbour Hotel Galway, New Dock St, Galway
Cork Hustings, 15 May, 6 - 8 pm, Nano Nagle Place, Douglas Street, Cork

The NWCI's new campaign comes as Hot Press publishes an extensive interview with Maria Walsh, the former Rose of Tralee who is now a Fine Gael European Election candidate for Midlands-North West. In our latest issue, she talks about what led her to throw her hat in the ring, as well as opening up about what feminism means to here. You can buy the new Hot Press here: