BY JEROME HUGHES
THE Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council is raising the difficult question of why the electorate is choosing not to vote for female candidates at election time.
Cllr Niamh Kennedy recently became only the fourth woman to be elected Chairperson of Donegal County Council in the local authority’s 125 history, and the first Independent female candidate.
“We’ve made history and we’re delighted, and just so pleased for all the women who work in this organisation as well,” said Cllr Kennedy.
Despite her personal success, just two other female candidates managed to secure a seat on the council during the local elections on June 7.
“There were 19 women who ran and three of us got elected. There were three in my district, and just myself got elected. So you have to ask yourself, what’s going on?
“Why is it that people are not voting for women? And I’m not expecting somebody to vote for somebody just because they’re a woman, but we do need to ask the question,” insists Cllr Kennedy.
“So, I would be encouraging anybody who feels they could do this to just go for it. Yes, rejection can be very hard, but at the same time, it can be so elating when you do succeed,” concluded Cllr Kennedy.
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