Focusing on Cuts hits Women harder
Published: Wednesday, October 03, 2012
In the run up to Budget experts from Ireland and Iceland will come together at the Seminar 'Bearing the Brunt: Women and the Recession', on Monday, 8th October, to highlight the different impact of the recession on women. The seminar will be hosted by the National Women's Council of Ireland (NWCI) in association with TASC.
Orla O'Connor, who was appointed Director of NWCI last week said:
'The recession and austerity measures have affected men and women differently. The government focus on cuts tends to hit women harder. They rely much more on public services which have continuously been cut over the last three budgets. Women are also overrepresented in low paid jobs. Many are struggling to manage the constantly reducing household budget and mounting debts to provide for their families. In the context of new proposals to further cut child benefit and tax maternity benefit, this seminar will be an opportunity to learn from other countries and ensure that the budget in Ireland is not gender blind. '
At the seminar, international guest Thora Thorsdottir from Iceland will talk about her country's experience of using gender as an important factor in informing political solutions to tackle the recession.
Dr Ursula Barry and Dr Pauline Conroy will present the key findings of their study for TASC Ireland 2008-2012 Untold Story of the Crisis – Gender, Equality and Inequalities.
The presentations will be followed by a panel debate of experts, including Tom Healy, Nevin Economic Research Institute (NERI) , Helen Johnston, National Economic & Social Council (NESC) and Laurence Bond, The Equality Authority.
Media is welcome to attend and there will be the opportunity to talk to speakers and take photos, in particular before and after the event.
What: Seminar 'Bearing the Brunt: Women and the Recession'
When: Monday, 8th October 2012, 10 am -1:15 pm, Registration at 9:30 am
Where: National Women's Council of Ireland, 4th Floor, 2/3 Parnell Square, Dublin 1.
For more information or to interview the speakers in advance of the conference on Monday, please contact Silke Paasche, Communications Officer, NWCI:
Tel. 085 858 9104