Accelerating women’s participation in public life – A regional perspective
Members of the Southern Regional Assembly.
Celebrating International Women's Day 2025, the Southern Regional Assembly recognises the contributions of women in public life and highlights the importance of encouraging greater female participation in decision-making at local, regional, and EU levels.
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. Committee of the Regions members represent the Southern Region at EU level.
In all, 34 local councillors and one directly elected Mayor are appointed as Members of the Regional Assembly for a five-year term, 27 by their constituent local authorities and seven as Committee of the Regions representatives.
Nine members of the Southern Assembly are women — Cllr. Gillian Coughlan, Cork County Council and Cllr. Clare Colleran Molloy, Clare County Council, both Committee of the Regions representatives, Cllr. Barbara Anne Murphy, Wexford County Council, Cllr. Peggy Ryan and Cllr. Máirín McGrath, Tipperary County Council, Cllr. Norma Moriarty, Kerry County Council, Cllr Deirdre Kelly, Cllr. Sheila O’Callaghan and Cllr. Kay Dawson, Cork County Council.
Women play an important role in public life, contributing to discussions and decisions that shape regional policies, ensuring a diversity of perspectives is reflected in local and regional governance. Greater participation in decision-making can lead to more inclusive outcomes and a more representative approach to policy-making.
This is also explored in our upcoming webinar on which will explore this year’s theme: Accelerate Action. The session will highlight challenges and opportunities facing women involved in European cooperation projects, showcasing expert insights from research, leadership experiences, and funding pathways supporting gender equality across EU initiatives.
To celebrate International Women’s Day 2025, the ETC Network is hosting a special webinar on March 10th, focusing on this year’s theme: Accelerate Action. The session will explore the challenges and opportunities for women in European cooperation projects. Speakers will share insights from research, leadership experiences, and funding opportunities that support women’s empowerment in EU projects.
- 10th March, 2025
- 2:30-3:30 PM
- Microsoft Teams
Speakers include Dr Catriona Strain, ERNACT, Samantha Richardson, Southern Regional Assembly and Emily Nelson, The Wheel – Access Europe, discussing EU funding as a catalyst for gender equality in Ireland.
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The Southern Regional Assembly recognises the value of diverse representation and continues to support awareness and engagement around women’s role in public life.
For further details on the Southern Regional Assembly, visit:
