Women of the World Unite!  International Women’s Day Conference, Dublin, Thursday 5th March 2009

Published: Sunday, March 01, 2009

This week, the week of International Women's Day, women from throughout the world will call for protection of the most vulnerable, significant investment in health and education, an increase in the numbers of women in top decision-making positions, poverty eradication and an end to violence against women in all its forms. A major national conference drawing participants from throughout Ireland and across the Community, Trade Union, Overseas Development, Business, and Academic sectors and speakers from Zimbabwe, Gambia and Ireland North and South will add the voices of Irish women and those of the many women from other nations living here, to that global call.

The conference "Inspiring women - Challenging Voices, Changing Times will be held in Croke Park this Thursday, March 5th and is being organised by the National Women's Council of Ireland (NWCI) and Banulacht.

Speaking ahead of the Conference, Joanna McMinn, NWCI Director explained the importance of the event "This conference is about women claiming a much needed and currently absent space to come together to propose fair and effective ways forward for women, children and for society as a whole at this time of global economic downturn and great social and political challenge" she stated. "Women make up more than half the world's population, but only a fifth of the world's decision-makers. The current debate has been dominated by men; with little or no focus on social solidarity, human rights and equality. Women are excluded from the spaces where financial and political decisions are made. In this, the 30th anniversary of the Convention of the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) we are demanding a central focus on equitable social goals based on the principles of respect, dignity and human rights, she said.

'We are deeply concerned at the cut of €95 million to overseas development aid and the impact of these cuts to work with women overseas" added Maeve Taylor of Banulacht, "This cut, like so many others, will hit the poorest of the poor. As feminists and as women concerned with protecting the rights of those who are most at risk of poverty and violence, we are using this opportunity to take a stand and make our voices heard," she said. "Banulacht has launched a campaign demanding that the Minister for Overseas Development, Peter Power, take action to support gender equality by protecting and supporting initiatives which promote issues such as women's participation. The campaign involves a petition which we hope will gain huge support at the Conference this Thursday" she concluded.