The Northern Ireland Women's Coalition made a splash yesterday by launching its local election campaign on the river Lagan. With party supporters all aboard Belfast's river taxi, The Joyce, eight candidates were announced for the council elections, scheduled for June 7th.
The party's two Assembly members, Ms Monica McWilliams and Ms Jane Morrice, said they wanted to involve more women in politics.
"These local government elections will be the first since the Good Friday agreement was signed. We want to build a peaceful society from the ground up, and local councils have an important role to play in that," said Ms McWilliams.
She said it was a positive time to be involved in local government as reform was planned which would lead to an increase in councillors' powers.
"If you are a member of a local council you may find yourself on the new district police board or making decisions in respect of European funding," added Ms McWilliams.
Ms Kate Fearon, the party's director of elections, said women must have their voices heard. "Women have made up only 15 per cent of local councillors in the last term. This puts Northern Ireland well behind England, Wales and Scotland for the participation of women in local government."
The party will run candidates in five council areas: Belfast, Castlereagh, North Down, Armagh and Newtownabbey.