MEP Maria Walsh is urging women of all ages, from across the region, to get involved in politics and have their voices heard on the local, national and international stages.

This Friday evening, May 19th, the Midlands-North-West representative will be in Letterkenny, where she will host the second in a series of ‘Politics & Me’ roadshow dates. The event – entitled ‘Promoting Political Participation – The Power of You in Politics’ – takes place in the Central Library in Letterkenny on Friday evening, from 7.30pm to 9pm, and all are welcome.

Ahead of her visit to Letterkenny, MEP Walsh is encouraging women from across the region to join her in the Central Library and be part of the conversation.

As well as sharing insights into her own political career, she will address the challenges she has faced along the way, and look at how the diversity gap in politics can best be addressed.

The event will offer an intimate and open space, where women with an interest in getting involved, will have the opportunity to ask questions, hear honest responses, and get a better insight into the fascinating, and often challenging, world of politics.

Speaking ahead of Friday evening’s meeting, MEP Walsh said more diversity is badly needed. “All over the region, when I speak with individuals and community groups, I often talk about the need for our communities to be reflected in our politics. But, while women make up half of the Irish population, the figures stand at just 23% within the Dáil, and 25% in local politics. In 2023, this is simply not okay.”

“I would love to see more women from rural Ireland getting involved, whether that’s running for election, or playing a greater role at a community level. Friday’s event will offer an open space for women to ask questions and hear about what day-to-day life looks like, what challenges we face, how to overcome party politics, and everything in between,” she explained.