Help for women keen to run in elections as just 1 in 5 Cork councillors are female

A new guidebook for women wishing to run in the next local elections will be launched next week by See Her Elected (SHE), which has highlighted that just one in five Cork city councillors is a woman.

SHE, the programme supporting women in rural Ireland to become politically active, will officially launch its new guidebook, A Guide to Running in the 2029 Local Elections, at an event attended by minister of state with responsibility for local government and planning John Cummins and guest speaker Kathy Sheridan.

The new guidebook provides a step-by-step roadmap for women considering running for election in 2029, offering practical advice, campaign planning tools, and insights drawn from the lived experiences of female candidates across rural Ireland.

“Just 19% of councillors on Cork City Council are women, while just one third (33%) of Cork County Council is made up of women councillors,” SHE programme manager Michelle Maher told The Echo.

“Women make up 50% of the population, yet they are far from achieving equal representation at decision-making tables. We want to see these numbers significantly improve following the 2029 local elections. But the work starts now.

“See Her Elected would love for more Cork women to get involved in local politics. Whether they want to run for election themselves or help another woman get elected, they need to come talk to us.

“Armed with our new guidebook and upcoming election workshops, you will have all the knowledge you need to run a campaign in 2029.”

Ms Maher said the guidebook is designed to “demystify the process of running for election and to make political participation accessible to women in every corner of rural Ireland”.

At the launch, which takes place in Longford on November 21, guest speaker Ms Sheridan will share reflections on women’s political leadership and the importance of diverse voices in shaping Ireland’s future.

The event marks the beginning of a national rollout of A Guide to Running in the 2029 Local Elections, which will be available online and distributed to participants in the Election Workshop series, starting in January 2026. Workshops are online and free, and bookings can be made via www.seeherelected.ie.