'Women need to feel welcome to stand for election in Offaly'

Cllr Mark Hackett has added his support to the More Women Day campaign run by Women for Election to coincide with the birthday today, Friday, of Countess Markievicz. The social media campaign uses the hashtag #countherin to highlight the need for equality of representation at Government.

“There is only one woman on Offaly County Council, that is my colleague Cllr Clare Claffey. She is in the company of 18 men. This is not good enough and we must all step up and play a role in the solution – so that more women feel that standing for election is a real option for them.”

Referring to the election of Pippa Hackett to the Seanad, at which point Mark was coopted onto the council, he says: “I am sitting in a woman’s seat because the Green Party branch of Laois Offaly couldn’t identify a woman willing to put herself forward. I understand why but I suggest that as women make up over 50% of our population, the onus is on us 18 male councillors to support, mentor and in some cases make way for women.”

“With the next local elections due in 2024, now is the time to be preparing. The Green Party are working hard on bringing women and other diverse voices to the table and the Laois Offaly branch recently welcomed a new woman local area representative, Rosie Palmer in Portlaoise. While it’s a start it is not enough and I will keep pushing on it. I thank the Women for Election group for keeping the focus on this important issue.”