Women in Clare call for better local services in Kilrush

Published: Tuesday, October 15, 2019

Women from Clare will come together at a public gathering to call for better local services in the Kilrush area today. The event is being organised by the National Women’s Council  of Ireland (NWCI) and the West Clare Family Resource Centre to mark United National International Day for the Eradication of Poverty and the International Day of Rural Women. 

The women have recently worked with an artist facilitator to highlight the experiences of women and poverty in rural communities and identify possible campaign actions.

Speakers at the event include Ellen O’Malley Dunlop, Chairperson of the National Women’s Council of Ireland (NWCI) and Mary O’Donoghue, Coordinator of the West Clare Family Resource.

Ellen O Malley Dunlop, Chairperson of NWCI said,

“We know the dynamic of poverty can be very different in rural communities and it is different for women, often it is more hidden. We need to name these problems and challenge the status quo around inequalities. Lone parents living in rural areas, the majority of whom are women, often do not have sufficient income to meet higher costs of travel, heating their homes and childcare costs. Older women living alone face particular challenges in rural communities. We must respond to a changing rural population and ensure rights and equality for all ethnic minority groups and migrants.  To do this, it is really important that spaces are created for women to come together to identify the most pressing needs in terms of local infrastructure and services and identify strategies to take action. Resourcing and supporting the engagement and participation of women and girls is crucial to the future sustainability and viability of rural communities.”  

Mary O'Donoghue, Coordinator of West Clare Family Resource Centre said

“Spatial distribution of problems and issues such as poverty and violence against women can render collective action difficult which is why properly resourced community work is essential. A different approach is required acknowledging the stigmatising possibilities of some interventions in a rural area. We must ensure that those with the least power and position in rural communities' benefit from all investment from Project 2040 and the forthcoming Action Plan on Rural Development and that their voices are heard.”

• The theme chosen by the UN to celebrate 17 October 2019 is: “Acting together to empower children, their families and communities to end poverty.”
• The theme of the International Day of Rural Women 2019 Theme is: Rural Women and Girls Building Climate Resilience
• This project was supported by the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection through its Public Awareness Funding to promote awareness of the UN International Day for the Eradication of Poverty

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For more information, please contact Silke Paasche, Head of Communications, Tel. 085 858 9104, silkep@nwci.ie