This panel will bring together thought leaders, innovators and leaders to discuss accelerating female participation at senior levels in the public sector. They will explore how we can make it more attractive for women to join, and stay in the workforce; what more the government can do to get more women into leadership positions; what policies and initiatives are being implemented. They will also discuss how we can embrace equity to inspire all future women including those with disabilities, members of the LGBTQIA+ community, ethnic and religious groups as well as those from less well-off socio-economic backgrounds to reach leadership roles in the public sector.

The panel will outline the educational programmes and initiatives designed to inspire, engage and encourage female participation from early childhood through primary, secondary and third level educational system. What is the vision for the type of education system required to prepare learners for the future? What are the challenges and inequities for young women accessing educational programmes? How is the higher education sector creating a more inclusive approach to the talent pipeline? What capacity building measures are needed to support teachers? What access programmes are available for students? 

The panel will also discuss how some companies are delivering on continuous learning and development opportunities for their employees and how these companies, whose education programs align with their business goals see increased retention, engagement and overall productivity. 

• the role of educators in equipping girls and women to take on leadership roles 
• modernising career guidance to be reflective of today’s job market
• developing leadership skills for emerging female leaders
• the value of employee continuing education

In this panel discussion we will explore how we are making it more accommodating for women to join, and stay in the workforce. We will discuss the attitudinal and structural barriers that exist and what more the government can do to get more women into leadership positions as well as what are the measures that have been taken, and are they enough?

In this session we turn the spotlight on women leaders in the public service and hear some quick-fire presentations on their experiences.

1. Digital Health Transformation

Lorraine Smyth, e-Enablement and Digital Solution Management Change and Innovation, HSE

2. Fish, family, and sustainability – ensuring the requisite leadership to secure a sustainable future for Ireland’s seafood industry

Caroline Bocquel, CEO, Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM)Navigating a navy career as a woman in STEM Top of Form

Topics include:

• Being your own role model
• How to amplify your voice
• Harness the power of networks and networking to propel your career forward
• How strategic connections are unlocking doors and creating opportunities like never before.
• How can we encourage more men to take on the role of male champions of change?

Breda will discuss not only the reasons you should want that promotion, but also how to go about getting it. She coaches thousands of professional executive women every year helping them to upgrade and transform their careers and lives. Breda’s insights to mindset and emotional intelligence will help you to build up your confidence and support your journey from ambition to abundance.

The private sector has not been without its challenges in overcoming the barriers to getting women on boards and executive roles. However, it has the freedom to innovate to solve these problems and now thousands of examples of how good strategy and programs can yield success. 

In this panel we will look at what measures the private sector are taking and how could these be applied to tackle this challenge in the public sector.

An Garda Síochana is one of Europe’s most female police forces – how did we get here and what are the lessons for other public sector organisations?

Women are significantly out-numbered by men in politics in Ireland. Gender quota legislation introduced prior to the 2016 General Elections resulted in a 6.5 percentage point increase in those elections from 15.7 per cent of seats held by women to 22.2 per cent. In the last election the increase in the number of women elected increased from 20.1 per cent to 23.9 per cent, a rise of just 3.8 percentage points! There is some progress but we need greater momentum.

This panel will discuss:

• the various barriers to entry that exist for women
• the measures already in place that are making an impact and any further policies and measures in legislation or otherwise that may be effective in increasing the amount of women who are attracted to politics as a career
• gender quotas – are they working?
• the culture of political parties and measures that can be taken by parties to increase female participation in politics
• how can we encourage more men to take on the role of male champions of change?

In this panel male leaders who are setting an inclusive culture from the top will discuss their approach to ensuring females are supported in the workplace and what more could and should be done in the public sector.