The Councillor for Bangor Central has successfully secured a cross-party panel debate aimed at securing better involvement of women in public life across the Borough.
She said: “With International Women’s Day coming up and having just marked the 100 year anniversary of the Representation of the People act, I had to ask myself if we as a Council were doing everything we could to encourage more women into public life. Sadly, I don’t think we are.
“100 years after some women were given the vote and the march towards equality began, it’s clear we still have a long way to go. We may be 100 years on, but a lack of progress in key issues – including childcare barriers and the gender pay gay – remains.
“That’s why this panel event will be so important, starting the conversation locally of what a positive impact women can and have made in our society and start finding long lasting solutions to overcome the remaining barriers.
“Ards and North Down Borough Council has the lowest level of female Councillors than any Council in Northern Ireland and together we have a responsibility to change that.”