Thursday September 2, 2010

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Focus on Violence Against Women

VAW document Labour's VAW policy - Prostitution and Human Trafficking have to be tackled

LW continue to work towards the eradication of Violence Against Women (VAW). LW welcomes the debate on prostitution and human trafficking, a debate which is needed to expose the true nature of the sex trade and women's abuse associated with it.

Read LW in the Irish Times : Life of a prostitute


Girls' success in education = Equal pay?

susan o keeffe Susan O'Keeffe Sligo-North Leitrim knows the hard slog of study and work - "Our daughters deserve the same as our sons."

Girls have yet again done well in the Leaving Cert exams. But wait a few years and in the private sector women will earn less then men.

Read Girls' success must be followed by equal pay

Read Report Gender Pay Gap Graduates


LW welcome support for political quotas

labours women plp Labour's women parliamentarians present and former.

LW react to the Irish Times survey in which a sizeable number of women TDs support political quotas for women.

Read LW Press release : Despite resistance quotas gain support

Read The Irish Times Article

Read The Irish Times Opinion Senator Ivana Bacik

Read The Irish Times Letters to the Editor


Cllr Paula Desmond selected to run for Dail

cllr paula desmond Cllr Paula Desmond has been selected to run for Labour in Cork South Central.

Read Paula Desmond selected Dail candidate


Oireachtas Report on the Constitution recommends increasing women's participation

cllr ann phelan and joan burton td Cllr Ann Phelan Carlow-Kilkenny and Joan Burton TD - Women in Political Decision-making

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Constitution has made five recommendations to increase the level of women's participation in political decision making. LW welcomes the recommendations as a very positive step towards better domecracy.

Read News

Read Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Constitution report


Waterford Labour Women : 'Women's Political Evening'

cllr ciara conway and cllr teresa wright Cllr Ciara Conway (left) and Cllr Teresa Wright at Waterford LW Women's Polical Evening

Political Evening for Women hosted by Waterford Labour Women & Women Into Politics took place in Waterford City. Cllr Ciara Conway and Cllr Teresa Wright spoke about their political journeys. 'Women Into Politics' group inspired the audience. The evening ended with a workshop.

Read Waterford LW Women's Political Evening - "A superb evening!"

Read Cllr Ciara Conway declares interest in Waterford by-election


Human Trafficking Act - two years on, no convictions

anti-human trafficking poster LW has been campaigning against Human Trafficking

Labour Women highlight the fact that two years after the Human Trafficking Act there are no convictions.

Read LW Press release

Read The Irish Times

Read The Irish Examiner


Joan Burton TD encourages Muslim women to take an active part in wider society

joan burton td Joan Burton TD has seen the good work of the Muslim women in Dublin 15

Joan Burton TD encourages Muslim women living in Ireland to take an active part in the wider society. The Muslim women bring their own perspective and talents to our society where Muslim women have taken on vital roles such as positions in the health care. 'Language skills are the key to integration', Joan Burton says.

Read News 'Language fluency the key to integration'


Historic Seanad debate on Women's Participation in Politics

women candidates Our public reps could look like this?

Read News

Read The Irish Times

Watch RTE Player

Read Should women have a vote - from 1906


Consultation Forum on the Crisis in CLARE TOURISM

katherine dunne, mary upton, ally carr Katherine Dunne LW Chair (left), Mary Upton TD and Ally Carr Clare Labour at the Tourism Forum in Ennistymon Co Clare

LW & Clare Labour hosted a Forum to consult the people of Clare about the role tourism can play in the economic recovery. Keynote speaker Mary Upton TD outlined some key areas in Labour's policy on tourism. Ally Carr Clare Labour introduced the speakers.

Read Mary Upton Statement : A clear strategy needed for Irish tourism

Read Press statement Forum on Clare Tourism Crisis

Read Findings of the Clare Tourism Forum


LW at Party Conference

lw lunch with margaret ritchie LW Lunch with Margaret Ritchie MLA (2. from right) and Katherine Dunne LW Chair (2.from left)

Read News

Read LW Chair Katherine Dunne Blog

lw stand LW at Party Conference


Cllr Ann Phelan Dail candidate for Carlow-Kilkenny

ann phelan Cllr Ann Phelan going for the Dail seat

Read News


Party Conference

cllr catherine clancy and kathleen lynch td Cllr Catherine Clancy and Kathleen Lynch TD with the Party Leader Eamon Gilmore TD

LW will be hosting a workshop 'Grassroots Campaigning : Gaining Support on the Ground' to discuss how to increase Labour's vote on the ground, in particularly in communities where there is competition for the left-wing vote.

Annual LW Lunch as usual at 1pm.

Read Events


Do we need political quotas for women?

jobs for girls LW campaigning to increase the number of women's political representation

Katherine Dunne LW Chair took on a FG TD who had opposed her parties attempts to increase the number of women candidates.

Read News

Read Katherine Dunne LW Chair in The Sunday Tribune

Read Full Sunday Tribune article : Women in politics

Listen RTE 1 O'Clock News

Nessa Childers MEP spoke about the need to take action to increase women's political representation.

Read Nessa Childers MEP backs quotas for women


International Women's Day : LW make a Haiti donation to UNIFEM

labourwomen Katherine Dunne LW Chair (left), Joan Burton TD and Mahin Sefidvash UNIFEM Ireland Chair

LW mark the International Women's Day in a practical way by making a donation to UNIFEM who are raising funds to build shelters for girls and women fleeing violence in Haiti.

Read News


'18 years since the x case'

Labour Women together with Labour Equality and Labour Youth mark the 18th anniversary of the x case. The Labour Party sections call for legislation on the x case, 18 years later.

Read Events '18 years since the x case'

Read The Irish Times

Read Senator Ivana Bacik


Senator Ivana Bacik calls for FGM legislation

ivana bacik Senator Ivana Bacik spoke at the International Day of Zero Tolerance to FGM in Dublin

Senator Ivana Bacik addressed the Zero Tolerance to Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) seminar calling for Ireland to legislate to ban the practice of FGM.

Read Ivana Bacik press statement

Read LW News & Some Facts About FGM

Read What is FGM? AkidWa page


LW have discussions with female Afghan MP Ms Karokhail

afghan woamn MP Shinkai Karokhail Shinkai Karokhail MP with Serena Di Matteo visited Dublin and met with Labour Women

LW discussed the lives and hopes of Afghan women with one of the country's female MPs, Shinkai Karokhail. "Afghanistan needs not only security but also development. Women are not a threat and are therefore pushed aside. I am here to speak for the women of Afghanistan", she said. 25% of the members of the Afghan Parliament are women - twice as many as in Ireland. But many harrowing problems remain as the women of Afghanistan hope for improvements in their lives.

Read News

Link to Afghan Women's Educational Centre (AWEC)


Women's Officers' Networking & Training Day

Labour women conference 09 Labour's women are a resource - join in!

Annual Women's Officers' Networking & Training Day is taking place on Sat 30th Jan in Dublin.

Read Events

Read News


Labour Women meet Mary Robinson

mary robinson LW Executive with Mary Robinson in the City Hall

Labour Women Executive had the honour of being invited to attend a reception held in honour of Mary Robinson to celebrate the award of the Presidential Medal bestowed on her by President Barack Obama. The reception was hosted by the Lord Mayor Cllr Emer Robinson and the National Women's Council of Ireland. "I was eleven when Mary Robinson was elected - for me, she is still one of the most important figures in Ireland", says one LW member. The spirit of Mary Robinson is as important now as it was when she was elected the first woman President of Ireland.

Read News


Labour motion to protect child benefit

The Labour Party is bringing in a Private Members' motion to propose that the child benefit be protected in the December Budget. The motion will be proposed by Roisin Shortall TD. The National Women's Council of Ireland have called on people to support the motion and join a show of support outside the Dail Kildare St Dublin 2 on Wed 2nd Dec 6pm.

roisin shortall Roisin Shortall TD highlighting the importance of the child benefit

Read LW Statement

Read Roisin Shortall TD


Kathleen Lynch TD highlights women's participation in the workforce

kathleen lynch td Kathleen Lynch TD Labour's Spokesperson for Equality

Kathleen Lynch TD Labour's Spokesperson for Equality highlights the barriers women still face in participating in the workforce.

Read Kathleen Lynch TD Statement


LW welcome report to increase women's political participation

LW and Kathleen Lynch TD jointly welcome the recommendations made in the Oireachtas Sub-Committtee on Women's Participation in Politics Report. The rappeurtor Senator Ivana Bacik outlined the Committee's recommendations of which the most progressive is the proposal to legislate for women's candidates along the lines of Belgium.

Read LW Press release

Read Oireachtas press release

Read The Irish Times


Labour Women Conference

eamon gilmore Party Leader Eamon Gilmore speaking at LW Conference

LW Conference took place in the Mansion House, Dublin. The main theme of the Conference was LW's on-going campaign on Parity Democracy and women's political representation.

Speakers included Lord Mayor Cllr Emer Costello, Party Leader Eamon Gilmore TD, Senator Ivana Bacik and Susan McKay Director of the NWCI. Deputy Leader Joan Burton TD chaired the afternoon session. Workshops were faciliated by Susan O'Keeffe, Labour European Rep Ireland North West and Marie Sherlock.

Events

Read LW National Conference

Read Party Leader Eamon Gilmore Speech

Read LW : Time to bring in women from the political cold

Read Joan Burton TD : Economic recovery must be founded on social justice


4 Generations of Women 4 Lisbon

Labour Deputy Leader Joan Burton TD, Senator Ivana Bacik, formar Senator Mary Henry and Cllr Maria Parodi highlighted the importance the EU has played in women's lives over four generations.

lisbon Former Senator Mary Henry, Joan Burton TD, Senator Ivana Bacik and Cllr Maria Parodi

Read in The Irish Times


LW launch Lisbon Campaign

LW lisbon launch LW Lisbon launch in the Mansion House

Labour Women launched their Lisbon Campaign in the Mansion House with Nessa Childers MEP, Joe Costello TD and the Lord Mayor Cllr Emer Costello. Mary Upton TD also attended.

Read LW Lisbon launch

Read News : LW Lisbon launch brings out the sun

Read Nessa Childers MEP : EU hugely beneficial to Irish women

Read LW reject McKenna 'privileged' jibe


LW welcome Commissioner Margot Wallstrom

nessa childers, margot wallstrom, lord mayor emer costello Nessa Childers MEP, Commissioner Margot Wallstrom and Lord Mayor Cllr Emer Costello at LW event 'Women and the European Union'

LW hosted an event 'Women and the European Union' with Commissioner Margot Wallstrom as the guest speaker. LW are bringing the EU closer urging us to have a dialogue between the citizens and Europe.

Read News : Commissioner Wallstrom speaks at LW event 'Women and the European Union'

Read LW urge a dialogue between Europe and its citizens

Read Proinsias de Rossa : Why not a woman Commissioner?

Check out YOUTUBE : COMMISSIONER WALLSTROM WITH LABOUR WOMEN

Check out YOUTUBE : SHOULD GENDER QUOTAS BE USED TO PROMOTE GENDER EQUALITY


Labour Women remember Magdalen women

magdalen laundry It is estimated that 30,000 Irish women went through the Magdalen experience

Labour Women welcome the screening of the film 'The Forgotten Maggies' in Galway. Magdalen women and children must not be erased from history but remembered as part of our shameful history.

Read Plight of Magdalen women must never be forgotten

Read News

Read LW support Maggalene redress scheme


Labour's women take seats across the country

tracy mcelhinney and nessa childers Cllr Tracy McElhinney (Trim) and Nessa Childers MEP

Labour Party's women candidates took seats right across the country. Many seats were taken by first-time candidates, some of whom received a fantastic vote. Some women came close and only missed out by a whisker. Every woman, whether elected or not, made Labour proud.

Read Labour's Women take seats across the country


Labour Women at Party Conference

eamon gilmore with women candidates

Party Leader Eamon Gilmore with Labour's women candidates

Labour Women hosted Labour Women Lunch at Labour Party Conference. The increbidly popular event brings Labour's women from all over the country together.

labour women leaflet LW's 'Parity Democracy' Campaign leaflet is LW's current campaign

Read News


International Women's Day

Labour Women and the Labour Party are marking the International Women's Day by introducing Electoral (Gender Parity) Bill 2009. This ground-breaking initiative aims to increase women's participation in the political decision-making. Party Leader Eamon Gilmore, Deputy Party Leader Joan Burton and Ciaran Lynch TD spoke at the press conference. Liz McManus TD was also present. Ciaran Lynch TD is introducing the bill in the Dail.

electoral bill launch Labour mark the International Women's Day

Read News 'Labour marks IWD'

Read Eamon Gilmore TD Statement

Read Ciaran Lynch TD Statement

Read Joan Burton TD Statement

Listen Today FM : Labour and Gender Parity (with Ciaran Lynch TD)


Labour's Women in Leinster House

labour women Former and current Labour women Tds and Senators

90th Anniversary of the election of the first women TD, Countess Markiewicz, was celebrated in Leinster House where former and current women Tds and Senators gathered.

Read Factsheet Ivana Bacik

Read News Labour's women in Leinster House


Labour Women launch Mentoring Programme

Labour Deputy Leader Joan Burton TD launched Labour Women's Mentoring Programme for new women candidates.

mentoring programme launch Joan Burton TD launches LW Mentoring Programme

Claire O'Regan (North Inner City Dublin), Sinead Seery (Whitehall Artane Dublin), Sinead Ni Chulachain LW Chair, Eileen Drew (Navan), Joan Burton TD, Grainne Kilmurry (Balbriggan), Angela Timlin (Dun Laoghaire) and Cllr Mary Freehill (Pembroke Rathmines Dublin) at the launch

The Labour Party is committed to increasing the number of women Labour Councillors by providing a programme of positive supports to women candidates.

Sinéad Ni Chúlacháin, Labour Women Chair said, "The Labour Party continues to be the party for women. Our current and former women public representatives have offered to be available to mentor and support women who are entering their public careers. It is essential to utilize the considerable expertise and experience of our women representatives and pass this on to the new candidates.

"Women have voted in local elections in Ireland since 1898 and make up 50% of the electorate. Only 16% of County Councillors elected in Ireland in 2004 were women and only 20% of the Labour County Councillors elected in 2004 were women".

See More pictures News

Read 'Big Sister Is helping You'


Labour Women Strategic Plan 2008-10

LW has launched its LW Strategic Plan 2008-10 which outlines the priorities for the next two years.

Read LW Strategic Plan 2008-10


Breast cancer anger

nwci protest

Party Leader Eamon Gilmore TD joined National Women's Council of Ireland to voice women's anger over lack of confidence in breast cancer services.

Read News : LW joins NWCI to voice anger over breast cancer services

Read News Nuala Nolan Galway:Centres of excellence.


Labour's Front Bench

labour front bench

What's nearly 90% male and has power? FF and FG Front Bench. Labour's Front Bench has outperformed FF and FG by including more women. 35% of Labour Front Bench are women compared to 11% FG and 12% FF.

News Labour's Front Bench has more women than FF and FG do..

News : Labour's women Councillors in high positions


Labour's Violence Against Women policy

Read full document 'Safety, Accountability, Responsibility'

Labour Women Policy 'Safety, Accountability, Responsibility'

Facts on Violence Against Women

Safety,accountability,responsibility

  • 'Safety, Accountability, Responsibility' - Labour's policy to tackle violence against women

Constituency Women's Officers

Constituency Women's Officers are the Labour Women local link in each constituency. All Women's Officers are provided with an Information folder which outlines their role and activities they can be involved in. The folder gives some national and local contact details Women's Officers can connect with. Literature on all the priority policy areas is included in the folder to inform, up-date and inspire.