Press Release – Publication of the Safety Taskforce
Press Release: Thursday 9th May.
An Garda Síochána, Women for Election and See Her Elected launch new ‘Safety Guidance for Candidates in Elections’
An Garda Síochána, Women for Election and See Her Elected today launch a new guide for candidates running in the Local and European Elections with a focus on their safety in the election campaigns.
“The majority of interactions between candidates and members of the public at doorsteps and at public meetings and events are friendly. However, at times these interactions can be intimidating or threatening. Women candidates in particular experience a disproportionate level of unacceptable behaviour, including online harassment and abuse. This new guide aims to help candidates to stay safe and outlines what to do when candidates experience unacceptable behaviours” said Brian Sheehan, CEO of Women for Election.
“We expect political debate as part of elections and of local and national government. But increasingly, especially online, this crosses over into unacceptable behaviours, threats or attacks. Civility in political debate and dialogue is essential to our democracy, and essential to creating an environment where more women feel safe to run for election. We need measures in place to ensure that those elected by the public to serve their interests can do so in safety” said Dr Michelle Maher, Programme Manager, See Her Elected.
Superintendent Seán Fallon of the Garda National Community Engagement Bureau said, “An Garda Síochána has appointed Liaison Inspectors in each of our division’s nationwide to help keep all those participating in the forthcoming elections safe while campaigning. The new safety guide provides important guidance and advice to candidates of how best they can protect themselves and their election teams while out canvassing and engaging within the community. It further details how to safely navigate their use of online platforms and social media sites too.
“Our Garda Divisional Crime Prevention Officers are based around the country to help on any matter of personal safety and are available to take a report of any incident. Should any election candidate or person involved in the campaign find themselves in immediate danger or in an emergency, please always call 999/112.”
“Women for Election and She Her Elected would also encourage all candidates to report all unacceptable behaviour, whether to the online platforms or to the Gardaí. The Guidelines have links to social media reporting channels and details of Garda reporting and support mechanisms” concluded Sheehan.
ENDS
For media inquiries or further information, please contact:
Katie Deegan, Women for Election: Katie@womenforelection.ie
www.womenforelection.ie
Dr Michelle Maher, Programme Manager, See Her Elected: info@seeherelected.ie
Editors Notes:
A guide ‘Safety Guidelines for Candidates in Elections’ is available here.
(or https://shorturl.at/ltLS9 )
For Immediate Release
Launch of Initiative to help Women’s Election Campaigns for LE2024
Photocall at 2pm, City Hall, Dublin
Women for Election today launched a campaign inviting people to ‘Join the Canvass For Women’ at a photcall outside City Hall in Dublin.
Ireland currently sits at 102nd in the world for gender equality in parliament. Just one in four of our Councillors are women and 41 of the 166 Local Electoral Areas across the country do not have any women Councillors. However, in the upcoming Local Elections, a record 583 women – so far – are intending to run.
“Women make up more than 50% of the population, but just a quarter of political decision-makers in national and local government. The Local and European Elections provide a great opportunity to have more competent and talented women at those decision-making tables”, said Brian Sheehan, CEO of Women for Election
“Elections are not won on your own. Candidates need leaflet droppers, door knockers, people to hang up posters and create content for social media. Our campaign invites people in all communities to sign up and give whatever time they can to a woman’s campaign”.
Women for Election will provide canvassing training and put volunteers in touch with the women’s campaigns in their area, where they can choose which candidate to support.
“Many people have canvassed in the Marriage and Repeal referendums. Their experience and skills will be very valuable to women who are running in the Local Elections. For those who don’t yet have experience with political campaigns, we encourage them to get involved. Canvassing is an excellent way to get to know their communities better and to understand the issues.”
“We have worked over the last number of years to support many of the women intending to stand for election; now we want to ensure that they are successful. Pulling a team together is a crucial part of an election and the ‘Join the Canvass for Women’ campaigns aims to help in that by linking people who would like to see more women in politics with women’s campaigns”.
You can visit the Women for Election website to pledge support to a woman’s campaign at www.womenforelection.ie.
ENDS
For media inquiries or further information, please contact:
Katie Deegan, Women for Election Katie@womenforelection.ie
www.womenforelection.ie
NOTE: Paul Sharp, Sharpix, has been commissioned to cover the photocall and will issue photographs to all picture desks
Editors Notes:
Women running in the Local Elections this June across every Council in the country are available for comment and interview.
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