NWCI calls on the Government to put the rights of marginalised women at the centre of the National W

Published: Sunday, October 17, 2004

Over 300 women, most from marginalised backgrounds, joined the NWCI for their National Conference: 'In from the Margin - Women Creating Change' at Croke Park in Dublin today.

The Conference was organised to celebrate diversity and challenge racism, combat poverty and promote women's health. Speaking at the Conference, NWCI Director, Dr Joanna McMinn stated: ''Women who are on the margins deserve access and accountability to resources of health, education, income, housing, work and environment. Women on the margins want justice and fairness, not humiliation and exclusion, as their daily experience.''

Keynote speaker Cathleen O'Neill from the Kilbarrack Community Development Project in Dublin, challenged the State to make a commitment to enable the participation of marginalised women in society: '' The Government must put the resources and structures in place to deliver women's rights'' she stated.

Joanna McMinn concluded by reaffirming the importance of today's event: ''Today is an opportunity for women from diverse backgrounds to have a voice at a national level on the issues of poverty, anti-racism and health.'' She once again called on the Government to deliver on the commitments it has already made: '' The Government must truly commit to its national and international standards on poverty reduction, economic and social rights and women's human rights, which it has signed up to at the United Nations and Europe.''

Shalini Sinha of 'Mono' RTE and The Irish Times attended the conference to launch the NWCI's new publication - 'Women Creating Change': a report on the Council's three-year IFM Project (see Editor's Notes). It outlines the main issues and highlights key policy goals for Government, in the areas of poverty, anti-racism and health.

Other Conference Speakers

• Ronnie Faye / Missie Collins - Pavee Point
• Benedicta Attoh - Louth African Women's Group
• Mary Keogh - Forum of People with Disabilities