A heavyweight cast of speakers, a networking opportunity and some deep thinking on the male/female equality agenda in Ireland are all on offer at Network Ireland’s celebration of International Women’s Day.

The professional women’s organisation is hosting an event in Dublin’s Shelbourne Hotel with the theme ‘A New Age of Equality’ to be addressed by a range of national and international business people, policy makers and influencers, discussing equality and diversity in decision-making positions in business, politics and media.

The event, open to women and men, will run from 12 noon to 3.30pm on Tuesday March 8. The keynote speaker is US photojournalist Gabrielle Motola, who is working on an equality project in Iceland.

Participants in the political panel will include Joan Weinman, co-chair of Equal Voice, a Canadian organisation dedicated to electing more women to all levels of political office in Canada, where prime minister Pierre Trudeau has introduced full gender balance in his cabinet; Manuela Breazu, Romanian ambassador; and Aine Collins TD.

The business panel will also include Californian Leslie Kavanagh of  Sotheby’s International Realty; Jessica Hayden of the Innovation Academy; Sarita Johnston who looks after female entrepreneurship in Enterprise Ireland; and Orlagh Hunt, Head of HR at AIB.

In Association with

White Ribbon Ireland, part of the world's largest male-led campaign to end men's violence against women, is charity partner.

Tickets cost €50 or €500 for corporate table of 10 for members of Network Ireland, €70/€700 for non-members.

Photo, from left: Orlagh Hunt, AIB; Manuela Breazu, the Ambassador of Romania to Ireland; Sandra Healy, Vodafone Women’s Network; Deirdre Waldron, Network Ireland; and Sarita Johnston, Enterprise Ireland