MEP Maria Walsh is hosting a high-level conference on gender equality in Galway City on Friday, July 3, where women from across the West of Ireland will get the opportunity to help shape EU equality and economic policies.
The event, ‘Thriving Mná’, will bring together leading voices from across Irish business, media and public policy, including pharmacist, entrepreneur and podcaster Laura Dowling, Irish Independent journalist Eavan Murray and Executive Director of the National Women’s Council of Ireland, Corrina Hassen.
As Ireland assumes the Presidency of the Council of the European Union on July 1, MEP Walsh’s event will focus on two key areas of gender equality policy; equal pay and female entrepreneurship. The event is free to attend, and women from across the West of Ireland are invited to share their perspectives on the opportunities and challenges they face within these areas.
MEP Maria Walsh, a full member of the Gender Equality Committee, said:
“Europe’s policies on women’s health, economic empowerment and equality cannot be shaped solely in Brussels. They must be informed by the experiences of women living and working across Ireland, including here in the West.
“As a member of the European Parliament’s Committee on Gender Equality, I am working to tackle issues such as the gender pay gap, barriers to female entrepreneurship and women’s healthcare inequalities. Meaningful change, however, can only happen when the voices of women are heard directly at the decision-making table.
“Thriving Mná is an opportunity for women from across Galway and the West of Ireland to influence the conversations taking place at European level. Whether you’re running a business, working in your community, raising a family or planning your next career step, I want to hear your perspective – how can we make European policy work better for you?
“One of the key discussions will focus on the EU Pay Transparency Directive – a crucial piece of EU legislation that I helped to negotiate in the European Parliament and which has the potential to close the gender pay gap. In Ireland, women still earn on average 8% less than men, while the gender pension gap stands at 24%. Sadly, the Irish Government has missed the deadline for fully implementing the Directive into national law; we will look at what this means for both workers and employers.
“This event is also aimed at empowering women to step into the world of entrepreneurship. Across the Midlands-North West, I meet women with innovative ideas and plans for growth on a daily basis. Yet too many continue to face barriers when seeking investment. In 2024, female-founded companies received just 12% of total European venture capital funding. That is why I have consistently called for greater support for female entrepreneurship at European level and why I believe we must continue building networks that connect women with opportunities, mentors and one another.
“I hope women from Galway and across the West of Ireland will join me on Friday 3 July from 10.30am to 2:30pm in The Hardiman Hotel. The event is free to attend, and you can register at my website mariawalsh.eu.”
The event will bring together leading voices from healthcare, business, media and public policy, including:
- Laura Dowling – Pharmacist, entrepreneur and host of The Fabulous Pharmacist podcast, who will deliver a keynote address on women’s health and wellbeing.
- Eavan Murray – Journalist with the Irish Independent, who will moderate the event.
- Corrina Hassen – Executive Director of the National Women’s Council of Ireland.
- Maeve McElwee – Director of Employee Relations at IBEC.
- Lesley Tully – CEO of financial wellbeing platform Penny.
- Fiona Parfrey – Co-Founder of Riley.
- Karen Ronan – CEO of Galway Chamber.
- Aisling Kelly-Hunter – Founder of Sligo Oyster Experience.