Southern Regional Assembly embracing impact of women in public life
The Southern Regional Assembly includes six female members.
Marking International Women's Day 2024, the Southern Regional Assembly celebrates women's achievements, calls for increased participation in public life, particularly at local and regional levels, and acknowledges the contributions of women across the public sector.
Operating at the regional level within the local government sector, the Southern Regional Assembly is based in Waterford City and has a remit for the entire Southern Region. Assembly Members meet monthly to discuss and decide on a range of issues related to regional economic and spatial planning, EU regional funding programmes, and other statutory functions of the Assembly. A Committee of the Regions members represent the Southern Region at EU level.
Thirty-three local councillors are appointed as Members of the Regional Assembly for a five-year term, twenty-seven by their constituent local authorities and six as Committee of the Regions representatives. Six members of the Assembly are women, Cllr. Deirdre O’Brien and Cllr. Sheila O’Callaghan, both Cork County Council, Cllr. Maura Bell, Wexford County Council, Cllr. Siobhán Ambrose, Tipperary County Council, and Committee of the Regions representatives, Cllr. Deirdre Forde from Cork City Council and Cllr. Gillian Coughlan from Cork County Council.
The Cork Councillors offer their insights on International Women's Day:
Cllr. Deirdre Forde, Cork City Council and Committee of the Regions representative, says; "It’s an opportunity to celebrate courageous women everywhere and focus on tackling issues that can improve their quality of life."
Cllr. Gillian Coughlan, Cork County Council and Committee of the Regions representative, says; "IWD is a day on which we reflect in solidarity on the impact and importance of women in the world and the challenges that they face. This year’s theme of inspiring inclusion emphasises the necessity of embracing diversity in all aspects of society and of empowering women to fulfil their potential. As a Republican, the ideal of equality is very dear to me and equality can only be achieved when every citizen, regardless of their gender, economic background or any other factor, has access to the same opportunities. International solidarity amongst women can foster recognition of the disproportionate impact of climate change, war and poverty on women and children. We need only to look at Gaza to see how powerless they are there. In Afghanistan, education is being denied to girls which has serious consequences for their life expectancy.”
Cllr. Deirdre O’Brien, Cork County Council, shares that; “Mary Coughlan TD, same era as myself, amazed me with her strength in coping with the tragedy of losing her Uncle and her Dad. Both were TD’s who died while serving in office and subsequently she entered politics at the young age of 21years, the youngest but also in a male dominated political world, still a challenge in that world of today.”
Cllr. Sheila O’Callaghan, Cork County Council, shares that; “My biggest female influence was my next door neighbour, who was also my national schoolteacher in the '70s. She was always elegantly dressed, raised six children, kept house and garden. Always a listening ear and never once raised her voice. You don't have to move mountains to be an influencer.”
For further details on the Southern Regional Assembly, visit www.southernassembly.ie.
