Labour Launch Sign Up a Sister Campaign
The Labour Party has today launched its “Sign Up A Sister” campaign, waiving fees for all new members signed up during the month of March by an existing member of the Party. The initiative is part of its wider campaign to celebrate International Women’s Day. In recognition that many women feel locked out from politics, Labour is encouraging members to open conversations with family, friends and neighbours who are interesting in pursuing genuine diversity, equality and justice in Ireland.
Labour Leader Alan Kelly TD said:
“The Labour Party has a proud history of choosing to challenge society and progress the rights of women in Ireland and we hope that our Sign Up A Sister campaign will inspire women who want to see real change in Ireland to join us. As a parliamentary party, we have made the concerted decision to prioritise legislation to improve the lives of women in Ireland throughout the last 12 months including the right to switch off, sick pay for all and period justice. We were particularly proud of the enactment of Coco’s Law to criminalise the sharing of intimate images without consent. We are focused on pursuing policies that respond to the diverse needs of our changing society, and I look forward to welcoming new voices interested in addressing these challenges.
“The results of last year’s election were very disappointing for us returning no female TDs to Dáil Éireann. As a party, we have a job of work to do to ensure that our female reps and Senators are electorally successful at the next general election. Despite the reality of the numbers, I am committed to amplifying female voices in the party through the representation of women in our PLP, our Councillors, local area representatives and members.
Billie Sparks, General Secretary of the Party said:
“Generations of women from the Labour Party have worked hard to move Irish society to embody more equal and fair structures. Our campaign to Sign Up a Sister acknowledges the fact that women in particular are reluctant to join political parties. We want to encourage our proud members to open conversations at home and in the virtual workplace with women that they think may already identify with the Labour Party.
“We are committed to achieving more for women every day of the year, not just on International Women’s Day, and we have a key calendar of events scheduled to welcome new members. We know that mentoring matters in politics, and we will assign specific public representatives to work with our new members to support and elevate them within the party to ensure that fresh voices are brought to the fore and with us in building a strong political force on the left.
“As we look to celebrate International Women’s Day, it’s important to acknowledge the phenomenal sacrifices made by our frontline workers over the past year. Largely composed of women – our retail workers, our cleaners, our nurses, our childcare professionals have literally kept this country going for the past year.
“No one party will overcome the challenge of encouraging and elevating women in politics. Labour are committed as a party to create a template to inspire women to demand for more and progress Irish society to a more tolerant and inclusive future.”