Mind the Gap - sessions for women considering Council

Orkney Islands Council is hosting online sessions in early February aimed at encouraging more women to stand for election to the Council in May 2022.

‘Mind the Gap: Women for Council’– being delivered in partnership with Elect Her – takes place on 8 February with a morning and evening session available.

‘Elect Her’, a non-partisan organisation working to motivate, support and equip women in all their diversity to stand for political office, are holding online sessions for women in Orkney considering standing for election to serve their community as a Councillor.

The Local Government elections take place across Scotland on 5 May 2022.

Karen Greaves is Orkney Islands Council’s Deputy Returning Officer. She said: “Being a local Councillor is for people from all walks of life, and this session is aimed at helping demystify the process of standing for election as a local councillor for women.

“it's designed to provide a dedicated space to learn more about the process, voice and discuss barriers to standing with women who've been there and done that - and crucially develop an action plan to get your name on the ballot paper.”

The sessions will also introduce potential candidates to Elect Her’s programme of support for any woman preparing to contest the elections.

There are two workshop both taking place on 8 February, a morning session from 10am-11:30, and an evening session from 7pm-8:30pm

To sign up go to the Eventbrite website:

• Link to sign up for the morning session 
• Link to sign up for the evening session 

You can also email 

Meantime, check out the Elect Her website – there are resources and inspirational stories from women who’ve stood for election to tap into.

More information sessions will be held in the coming weeks for local folk thinking about standing for election – keep an eye on local press and the Council’s Facebook page, OIC Updates, for further details.

For more information email elections@orkney.gov.uk or contact the Council’s Elections team on 01856 873535.