The National Women's Council is holding a conference today at the Four Seasons Hotel in Monaghan from10pm-4pm. The event, which is being held on International Day of Rural Women, aims to shine a light on women living in rural Ireland, their leadership, activism, and contribution to society.
Minister Heather Humphreys will give a keynote address and other speakers will highlight the diverse needs of women in rural communities. These will include the obstacles for women who experience violence; the importance of investment in universal public services; and equal representation of women in all decision-making spaces that affect their lives.
“I am delighted that my department has been able to support this conference, with its focus on ‘Women in Rural Ireland leading Change’, to provide a platform for women to meet in person and discuss the challenges that women in rural Ireland, of all generations, face. I look forward to hearing the discussions which not only highlight the opportunities for women in rural areas, but also showcase the experience and impact of women driving and leading change in our rural communities," the Minister added.
Meanwhile, the NWC conducted a survey with approximately 800 women in rural Ireland. The results will feed into the conference discussion and towards the development of a charter for women in rural Ireland.
Speakers on the day include Minister Heather Humphreys TD; NWC Chairwoman Margaret Martin; Kerrie Flood, Fermanagh Women's Aid; Mary Louise Lynch, Survivors informing Services and Institutions; Amina Moustafa, Glencree Centre for Peace and Reconciliation; Marie Mulholland, West Cork Violence against Women; Siobhan McKenna, Tearmann Domestic Abuse Service; Fiona Weldon, Independent Living Movement Ireland; Gabriela Burnett, Latin America Domestic Violence Support Group; Margaret Joyce, Donegal Travellers Project; Louise Coyle, Northern Ireland Rural Women's Network; Lola Gonzalez, Inclusion Specialist; Bernardine Quinn, Outcomers; Bernadette Hopkins, Save Inishowen from Gold Mining; and Tara Farrell, Longford Women's Link.
