Fingal County Council to host virtual celebration of International Women’s Day 2021

Fingal County Council is delighted to announce a virtual celebration of International Women’s Day which takes place on Monday, March 8, 2021. As physical events are not possible under current government restrictions, virtual celebrations featuring contributions from Community, Heritage, Sports, Local Enterprise Office and Communications will be held this year.

International Women’s Day celebrates the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. To mark the occasion, the Fingal County Council Communications Unit will be posting short videos throughout the day on our social media channels with contributions from female Fingal County Councillors, Fingal County Council Chief Executive AnnMarie Farrelly and female members of the Fingal County Council Executive Management Team.

The participants were asked to give an insight into why they decided to pursue their chosen career, what achievements they are most proud of and what women inspire them. It is part of a Fingal County Council initiative to build awareness of Local Government among women.

The Mayor of Fingal, Cllr David Healy, said: “It is important that we mark International Women’s Day and I hope that hearing from councillors and executives will inspire more women, no matter what their background, to get involved in local government by choosing it as a career path or getting politically active.”

Fingal County Council Chief Executive AnnMarie Farrelly said: “International Women’s Day is a great opportunity to celebrate the achievements of women and encourage women to embrace their part in leadership and change. It is important to celebrate the occasion even though we cannot do so in a physical capacity under current restrictions. I am delighted to be part of this virtual event which will give people an insight into the invaluable role of women in politics, sport, the public and voluntary sector and all aspects of life.”

The Council’s Sports Office have devised a series of events to mark International Women’s Day, including holding female-only FAI Player Development Plan and Safeguarding workshops, and will be focussing on various projects and initiatives taking place under the pillars of the Women in Sport Policy.

Well-known TV personality and business woman Gráinne Seoige will be the keynote speaker at the Fingal Enterprising Women Network event taking place online on March 5. This online event, hosted by LEO Fingal, will be opened by Fingal County Council Chief Executive AnnMarie Farrelly and will be an excellent opportunity for women in business to share insights and lessons learned in their chosen fields.

Fingal County Council’s Community Development Office will be celebrating International Women’s Day with a series of online conversations with women active in leadership in Fingal. A Conversation on Women’s Leadership in the Community will celebrate women’s achievements and recognise challenges and opportunities that women experience when involved in community action.

Dr Lucy Michael will be joined in conversation by Geraldine Rooney, of the Fingal PPN and Centre for Independent Living Blanchardstown, Ayodele Yusuf, of Balbriggan Integration Forum, Bridie O’Reilly of the Fingal Older People’s Council, Shelly Gaynor, of the Independent Living Movement Ireland, Catherine Joyce of Blanchardstown Traveller Development Group and AnnMarie Farrelly, Chief Executive of Fingal County Council.

“Fingal County Council are delighted to facilitate these conversations. Women have played a significant role in influencing change, contributing to decision making and affecting policy in Fingal. We look forward to learning from these women, to build on their experiences and to further develop the platforms for Women’s Leadership in Community,” said Margaret Geraghty, Fingal County Council’s Director of Housing and Community Development.

For more information on the Fingal County Council Community Development Office’s celebrations of International Women’s Day on March 8 please contact [email protected] or visit www.fingal.ie/IWD2021communityleadership

We invite you to celebrate International Women’s Day 2021 by tuning into our social media channels on Monday, March 8, to experience and enjoy the contributions from some inspirational women.