NWCI Annual General Meeting

Published: Sunday, October 21, 2001

Gráinne Healy was re-elected Chairwoman of the National Women's Council of Ireland (NWCI) at its Annual General Meeting (AGM) in the Holiday Inn, Pearse Street, Dublin on Saturday 20 October. Other members of the Executive Board re-elected were: Mary Kelly, Deputy Chair; Mary Allen (Irish Association of Social Workers); Mary Leahy (Teachers Union of Ireland); Phil Harrington (ESB Officers' Association); Deirdre Healy (Association of Secondary Teachers in Ireland) and Tess Murphy (Irish Countrywomen's Association). Two new members were elected to the Executive Board, Frances Byrne (One Parent Exchange and Network) and Rhona McSweeney (Public Service Executive Union).

In her speech, Ms. Healy focussed on the future direction of the NWCI and the fact that the organisation will publish a new strategic plan early in 2002. Referring to the draft National Plan for Women Ms. Healy said that the NWCI would be consulting its affiliates for their views over the next six weeks. 'NWCI is committed to feeding back to Government, through its consultation process, the gaps and mechanisms and requirements of women and women's organisations for the delivery and implementation of the national plan for women' she continued.

She spoke about the forthcoming Pre-Budget submission of the NWCI, which will be launched on 6 November, stating that women form the largest group of those who have been excluded from the benefits of the Celtic Tiger. 'Women on social welfare, lone parents, older women, Travellers, rural women on small-holdings, women with disabilities, asylum seekers and refugees have benefited very little from our economic prosperity' declared Ms. Healy.

Delegates at the AGM discussed and voted on motions covering a wide range of issues including, the war in Afghanistan, the abortion referendum, older women, gender balance on state bodies, the under-representation of women in political life and violence against women.