The DLR Women’s Committee has been established as a formal Committee of the Council. Its mission is to bring together women Councillors in pursuit of its vision in the attainment of gender equality among Elected Members of Dún Laoghaire County Council and for constituents. DLR women Councillors held their first Committee meeting in County Hall on 28th May 2025; the purposes of meetings are to discuss challenges faced by female politicians, to ensure that there is gender balance in politics and to encourage more women to enter politics. The Committee hosted An Cathaoirleach, Councillor Jim O’Leary, their fellow Councillors, former Councillors and Council staff at this launch. Councillor Lorraine Hall was elected as chair of the Committee and Councillor Anne Colgan as the vice-chair.
The vision of DLR Women’s Committee is to empower elected women in local government by enhancing visibility, leadership, and participation through networking, training, advocacy, and community engagement. Committed to gender equality, it fosters a supportive environment and drives meaningful change for lasting impact.
DLR Women’s Committee Year 1 Workplan
The first year will focus on building a strong foundation for the DLR Women’s Committee.
Key priorities include:
- Formal Establishment
Work with the DLR Executive to set up the caucus as an official council committee, securing the necessary personnel and financial resources. - Leadership Structure
Elect a Chair, Vice-Chair, and Training & Development Officer. - Official Launch
Formally launch the DLR Women’s Committee to raise visibility and promote its objectives. - Meeting Schedule
Set formal meeting dates for the year and ensure they appear on the DLR Calendar of Meetings. - Member Engagement
Organize informal social events every two months to strengthen connections among members. - Communications & Media
Develop a dedicated webpage and create a media strategy to share updates and initiatives. - Training & Development
Identify training needs and deliver at least one development session during the year. - Community Outreach
Create a strategy for engaging with women and girls in the local community, including at least one outreach event. - Policy Development
Draft and submit at least one consensus-based policy motion. - Networking
Connect with women’s caucuses in other local authorities to share experiences and best practices. - Annual Report
Prepare a report summarising activities, achievements, challenges, and plans for the year ahead.
The committee can be contacted at womenscommittee@dlrcoco.ie or you can contact any of the members individually.
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