Students to the fore in tackling the under-representation of women in Donegal County Council

MAKING politics an official subject in all Donegal schools at Leaving Cert level, the creation of a county-wide public speaking competition, a mentorship programme involving retired/ former county councillors who could share their experience with people new to politics, and bursaries for women to help them cover the cost of running for election were just some of the innovative recommendations made by students to Donegal County Council in order to see more women elected in the next local elections.

At a ground-breaking student event in Donegal yesterday, students’ input was sought by Donegal County Council on how to increase the number of women elected in the county.

Donegal County Council, in collaboration with See Her Elected (SHE) hosted the ‘Students Shaping the Future of Democracy in Donegal’, at the Mount Errigal Hotel in Letterkenny.

One hundred students from Loreto Convent, Letterkenny, Scoil Mhuire Buncrana and St Columba’s College, Stranorlar considered the problem that sees Donegal in last place in the country when it comes to the percentage of female councillors.

The welcoming address by Donegal County Council set the tone for the day and made it clear that this wasn’t a box-ticking exercise.

“The council are committing to consider the ideas we hear about today,” said Paul McGill on behalf of Donegal County Council.

SHE Programme Manager, Dr Michelle Maher, took the students through the background to what they were being asked to consider.

A mere 14 women have ever been elected to Donegal County Council over the last 100 years.

Over the same period, in the region of 255 men have been councillors.

“It matters who’s in the room when decisions are made,” said Dr Maher.

“Although the next local elections are not until 2029, it is vital not to waste the next two years.”

Speakers at the Donegal Council Event ‘Women Shaping the Future of Local Democracy in Donegal’ L-R Cllr. Niamh Kennedy; Cllr. Dakota Nic Mheanman; Paul McGill, Area Manager Corporate (DCC), Cassie Lambe, Mayor Donegal Youth Council; Cllr. Joy Beard, Michelle Maher (SHE); Photo Clive Wasson

This is in the light of the number of councillors who are likely to seek re-election.

In 2024, 32 of Donegal’s 37 councillors ran again with 27 of them being elected for a further term.

“To successfully campaign against candidates with a high profile through the hard work they do in their councillor role, a woman needs to have an equally high profile and a reputation as being someone who gets things done,” continued Dr Maher.

“This takes time and effort, but is not impossible, especially with the practical election support available from See Her Elected.”

The three female councillors on Donegal County Council provided their perspectives to assist the students.

Cllr Niamh Kennedy (Independent) described her route into politics through community work and how that gave her a profile locally.

Cllr Dakota Nic Mheanman (Sinn Féin) encouraged young people to join a political party as the members of the local branch are involved in the selection of candidates.

Cllr Joy Beard (100% Redress Party) identified how uniting a community around an issue is a powerful election strategy.

The elected Mayor of Donegal Youth Council, Cassie Lambe described how having a strong team around her added to her confidence to put herself forward and helped with her election strategy.

Students were then invited to work on ideas for Donegal County Council to consider and were assisted by facilitators from Donegal Youth Council, See Her Elected, their teachers and the Councillors present.

They then presented their plans to increase the number of female councillors in their council.

The end of the event saw the unveiling of stunning original artwork by Ruth Graham, Illustrator & Graphic Harvester from Donegal which she created in real time as the discussions were unfolding.

Students were able to pre-register to vote on the day, which they are allowed to do from aged 16, with many availing of this opportunity.

In closing, Paul McGill from Donegal County Council said “it was clear that there was an obvious political talent pool among the young women attending today’s event and that it was critical that it ultimately leads to greater diversity in our elected Council in 2029″.

Reflecting on the event, Michelle Maher from See Her Elected noted the significance of a council reaching out to those who would be first-time voters in the next local elections about this issue, and the positive response provided by the students in return through their serious engagement in developing project ideas.