A new civil society alliance is demanding a 40% gender quota for local election candidates as a key measure to address gender inequality in the next programme for government. The group aims to to address the imbalance of representation of women at all levels of politics and wants to keep this critical issue front and centre as the General Election approaches. 

Led by the National Women’s Council (NWC), the Alliance for Gender Quotas at Local Elections (the ‘Alliance’) brings together leading academics and advocates for Traveller, migrant, and disabled women, all united in their call for fairer political representation.

Rachel Coyle, Head of Campaigns and Mobilisation at NWC, said: “The numbers of women in politics matter. At local level they tell a stark story of gender inequality. Women make up just 26% of local authority members, with only 247 out of 949 councillors being women.

“Only nine out of 31 local authorities have reached the critical 30% threshold for female representation. Women are reshaping politics and driving vital issues—like gender-based violence and reproductive health—onto the agenda, but progress is painfully slow.

“The poor results for women in June’s local elections are a wake-up call and we cannot wait another local election cycle for political parties to take this seriously. Women’s political representation needs to remain on the political agenda, now, when we can do something about it. Gender quotas are no longer just an option, they are a necessity. Local politics play a crucial role in preparing candidates for general elections. If women aren’t on the ballot locally, they simply won’t appear nationally.”

Gender quotas enjoy strong public backing. In 2020, the Citizens’ Assembly on Gender Equality called on the Government to introduce quotas for the 2024 Local Elections, with an overwhelming 87.6% of citizens in support. There is a growing appetite for more diversity and representation on the ballot.

Liliana Fernandez, Leadership Officer with NWC, said: “Now is the time for urgent action to increase the number of women in politics at local level. This means equal numbers of women and men across the country and improved diversity through representation of women from different backgrounds. This includes disabled women, minority ethnic women including Traveller and Roma women, and women from marginalised identities and communities. Quotas are one proven mechanism that can bring about urgently needed action to address the ongoing under-representation of women in local government.”

SHE programme manager Dr Michelle Maher and NWC’s Leadership Officer Liliana Fernandez pictured in the company of Countess Markievicz in the grounds of Leinster House, following the launch of the Alliance.

The new alliance is calling for the implementation of statutory gender quotas of 40% for local elections; a commitment to introduce mechanisms to ensure the adequate representation of minority groups including Traveller women, women from migrant backgrounds, disabled women and women from the LGBTQIA+ community.

It is also calling for increased funding for political parties, councils, and NGOs, tied to outcomes, to support women’s inclusion. For quotas to be effective, proper resourcing for engagement, capacity building, and training will be needed.

The Alliance membership comprises:  50/50 Group, 50/50NI, Dr Pauline Cullen & Shane Gough (NUI Maynooth), Dr Fiona Buckley (UCC), Women for Election, Dr Michelle Maher of See Her Elected, Independent Living Movement Ireland, Dr Sandra McAvoy, Dr Claire McGing, National Traveller Women’s Forum, See Her Elected, AkiDwA, Women’s Collective Ireland – Limerick.

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