1. International Women's Day 2018
Women in the Houses of the Oireachtas since 1919

2. Who am I?
First female President of Ireland, barrister, professor of criminal law at Trinity College, Member of Seanad Éireann, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights
Mary Robinson

3. Who am I?
8th President of Ireland, barrister, director of the Institute of Professional Legal Studies at Queen’s University and also first female pro-vice chancellor at Queen’s University
Mary McAleese

4. Did you know…
There has never been a female Ceann Comhairle of Dáil Éireann while there has only ever been one female Cathaoirleach of Seanad Éireann: Tras Honan, from 1982 to 1983 and 1987 to 1989.

5. How has the Dáil changed over time?

6. Questions Does anyone know who the only woman elected in 1919 was?
Is there any female TD in your constituency or in the constituency that the school is in?
Can anyone name any female TD in the Dáil at the moment?

7. Countess Markievicz
First woman elected to the British House of Commons
Like the other Sinn Féin candidates, she had pledged to abstain from the Westminster Parliament, and so she never took her seat
Supported Dáil Éireann, becoming the first female TD and the first female Minister in western Europe

8. Road to the Vote
In the mid 19th century political life was seen as only an area for men
In Ireland women such as Anna Haslam and Isabella Tod established suffrage societies which argued for women's right to vote in elections
Eventually in February 1918 the Representation of the People Act gave limited suffrage (women had to be over 30 for example)
In November 1918 the Parliament (Qualification of Women) Act allowed women become MPs

9. In both the Dáil and Seanad

10. Brainstorm
Why do you think there is such a difference between male and female numbers in both the Dáil and Seanad?
Can you think of any possible solutions?

11. One possible solution…
If you mentioned quotas well done…
What is a quota?
Let’s have a look at the impact of quotas on elections…

12. Let’s look at the numbers

13. Over to you…
The Global Gender Gap Report estimates that gender parity across the world will take over two centuries.
It uses 4 measures: Economic Participation and Opportunity; Educational Attainment; Health and Survival; and Political Empowerment.
Design a poster or slogan based on one of these to promote gender equality (For example the theme of International Women's Day 2018 is Press For Progress).

14. Further research
Prepare a short presentation on the contribution of one female politician of your choice to political life in Ireland.
Your choice must be from the 19th century onwards and can cover topics from the struggle for suffrage, any female Member of the Dáil from 1919 to the present day, a Senator, Councillor or someone you know who has contributed to political life in Ireland at any level.