Seven SF women to stand in Cavan/Monaghan
Candidates announced on International Women's Day
Sinn Féin in Counties Cavan and Monaghan marked International Women's
Day by announcing that the party will be standing seven women
cadidates in the forthcoming local government elections. The team of
seven women in the two counties is another sign of the rapid advances
being made in the constituency following on from the election of the
Sinn Féin TD in 1997.
Cavan/Monaghan Sinn Féin TD Caoimhghin O Caolain said that the
nomination of seven women was the most practical demonstration
possible of the commitment of Sinn Féin to equality of representation
for women. He said:
``It is not enough to pay lip-service to equality for women. The
opportunities must be created to ensure that women take their
rightful place at the centre of local and national government. The
nomination of seven women candidates in Counties Cavan and Monaghan
is a significant step forward for our party and for women in these
counties. It is still short of our target of 50/50 representation
for women and men, both as candidates and elected representatives.
``Women are under-represented at all levels of government in Ireland.
We are confident that this panel of women Sinn Féin candidates will
help significantly to redress the balance in these two counties. We
enter this local government election contest, culminating on polling
day 11 June, with the expectation of greatly increased Sinn Féin
representation throughout Counties Cavan and Monaghan. Republican
women are to the fore in that effort and are poised to take their
places in the council chambers representing their communities
effectively and diligently.
``We take the opportunity of International Women's Day to salute women
in this constituency, in this country and throughout the world who
are still struggling for complete freedom and equality.''
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