by Bernie English bernie@limericpost.ie 
NWCI welcomes the fact that six general election candidates across the two Limerick constituencies who have pledged their support for women’s equality. Jan O’Sullivan, Minister for Education and Skills has signed up, as has Senator James Heffernan and Sarah Jane Hennelly of the Social Democrats; Cian Prendiville of the Anti-Austerity Alliance; James Gaffney of the Green Party; and Mark Keogh of Direct Democracy Ireland.
Orla O’Connor, Director of NWCI said, “This election has already been a breakthrough election for women in Ireland, as more women have registered as candidates, than ever before. The gender quota has ensured that, for the first time, voters will have a real choice to vote for more women. Our Breakthrough Manifesto encourages all candidates to demonstrate their support for concrete policies that will be crucial to accelerate the pace of change for women’s equality in Ireland. The sign up process acts as a clear reference tool for voters, which they can use in trying to decide who to vote for during this busy campaign period. We have been in close contact with our members and supporters across Limerick City and Limerick County, and we are delighted that it has received such strong support from candidates and voters in Limerick.”
Alice Mary Higgins, Policy Coordinator at NWCI continued,
“One of the 10 key demands highlighted in our Manifesto is to remove the 8th Amendment from our Constitution to provide women with full reproductive rights and ensure that Irish law is in line with international Human Rights standards. Women in Limerick will be looking for candidates that are clearly committed to tackling one of the biggest barriers for women’s participation in the labour market and public life by investing in affordable, accessible, quality early years care and education, after school care and improving family leave. Public services and decent work are also crucial and candidates who sign this manifesto are committing to increase investment and tackle the growing gender pay gap and even more shocking 37% gender pension gap.”
Yvonne Murphy, Limerick Feminist Network said,
“Jan O’Sullivan, Sarah Jane Hennelly, Cian Prendiville and James Gaffney are standing in Limerick City, and James Heffernan and Mark Keogh are standing in Limerick County. While it is positive that the Breakthrough Manifesto has received their support, it is disappointing that more candidates, especially in Limerick County, have not signed up. It is also disappointing that no women at all are standing in Limerick County. However, women voters in Limerick City and County have been bringing up the manifesto on the doors and candidates know that unless they commit to supporting women’s equality, they will lose a lot of votes.”
NWCI’s Breakthrough Manifesto highlights 10 key areas to bring about much needed change for women in Ireland. By signing up to the manifesto through NWCI’s website (www.nwci.ie), candidates will commit to supporting these policies if elected to Dail Eireann.
NWCI has members and followers in every constituency in Ireland. We will be in close contact with them throughout the election campaign and provide regular updates on the support for our Breakthrough Manifesto. People will also be able to follow conversations around the General Election from a women’s equality perspective on #FemGen.
