County Carlow has one of the lowest numbers of female county councillors in the country but now a major initiative this October aims to tackle the issue, with a free local election workshop for women and a secondary schools’ seminar from the award winning See Her Elected programme.
Carlow County Council and Carlow Public Participation Network have teamed up with See Her Elected, a grassroots organisation built on the ethos of women learning and supporting each other with a specific focus on rural Ireland. 
Both events will take place on Thursday, October 12th and the day begins with an interactive political education seminar on ‘Women in Politics in Carlow’ for secondary school students on from 10.30am- 12.30pm in the Seven Oaks Hotel, Carlow.
The ‘Women in Politics in Carlow’ event will involve a presentation for TY, 5th and/or 6th year students explaining the work of See Her Elected and engaging with students to increase awareness and understanding of gender inequality in politics as well as encouraging them to get their names on the Register of Electors, which they can do from age 16.
The schools’ event will also include a Q & A with Deputy Jennifer Murnane O’ Connor, Cllr Andrea Dalton and Catherine Callaghan who is running for the 2024 Local Elections to allow students to learn from the lived experience of these female politicians.
Later in the day a free local election workshop for women in County Carlow will be held in Coláiste Aindriú, Muinebheag from 4pm to 5.30pm.
If you have you ever thought about being a candidate in the 2024 local elections, but don’t know where to start or if you would like to learn what’s involved in running in the local elections or how you can support a woman to get elected then this workshop will help equip you with the necessary skills and knowledge to get started.
Women attending will receive a free copy of the See Her Elected Guide to Running in the Local Elections which is a comprehensive step-by-step manual covering everything you need to know about electioneering.
People interested in attending the workshop can register on Eventbrite or call 087 1951444.
For more information on the Secondary Schools’ event please email scorrigan@carlowcoco.ie or phone 059 9136239.
