Students graduate from first ever third-level course on the impact of climate on women & communities

Published: Tuesday, November 12, 2024

12 November 2024

What impact does climate change have on communities in Ireland, particularly women and marginalised communities. That’s the question posed by the Community Work in a Changing Ireland certificate programme with a new focus on feminist climate justice. The programme is run by the Department of Applied Social Studies at Maynooth University in conjunction Community Work Ireland and the National Women’s Council.  

The National University of Ireland level 7 course is the first of its kind, and Donegal locals Joanne Butler, Olitha Mpofu and Khethiwe Malinga are among the first of the graduates.  

Joanne Butler stated; 

“When we think of the impact of climate change on women or marginalised communities, we often think of far-flung places, but the reality is that climate change and climate policy is affecting communities here in Ireland too, and even Donegal already. For example, energy poverty, poor public transport services, and access to decent food and housing are all climate issues which affect some communities more than others. I’m thrilled that this course has equipped me with a foundation of knowledge and confidence to communicate all things climate with the people of Donegal.” 

Collette McEntee, project coordinator of Feminist Communities for Climate Justice, a joint project between Community Work Ireland and the National Women’s Council, said:  

“Today marks a huge achievement for all the graduates of our cert programme. They are now in an ideal position to raise awareness of the global climate crisis as an issue for women and marginalised communities, connecting it to the immediate problems and priorities that they currently face, as well as its future impacts. Education is a vital tool in the fight for climate justice, and for us it’s crucial that women’s organisations and community development organisations can play an active role.” 

Feminist Communities for Climate Justice have a national network of community workers, volunteers, activists and more which they encourage everyone to sign up for. Find out more here: https://www.nwci.ie/discover/what_we_do/feminist_communities_for_climate_justice/communities_for_climate_justice_national_network 

Ends/ 

For comment: Joanne Butler and Collette McEntee 

For more information, please contact Sinéad Nolan, NWC Communications and Social Media Coordinator, 085 8619087 or sineadn@nwci.ie 

Notes: 

About FCCJ  

Feminist Communities for Climate Justice is a campaign for climate justice that reflects feminist and community work values. The project is developing a feminist and community work analysis of climate justice. This partnership between the National Women’s Council and Community Work Ireland amplifies the voices of women and marginalised communities that are most impacted by climate breakdown, building momentum in communities to engage, understand and influence climate policies. 

About NWC  

The National Women’s Council is the leading national representative organisation for women and women’s groups in Ireland, founded in 1973. We have over 190 member groups and a large and growing community of individual supporters. 

The ambition of the National Women’s Council is an Ireland where every woman enjoys true equality and no woman is left behind. This ambition shapes and informs our work, and, with our living values, how we work.  

We are a movement-building organisation rooted in our membership, working on the whole island of Ireland. We are also part of the international movement to protect and advance women’s and girls’ rights. Our purpose is to lead action for the achievement of women’s and girls’ equality through mobilising, influencing, and building solidarity. Find out more on www.nwci.ie 

About CWI 

Community Work Ireland (CWI) is the leading national organisation that promotes and supports community work and development as a means of addressing poverty, social exclusion and inequality and promoting human rights. CWI is a membership organisation of over 800 individuals and organisations who support community work and development and work in the most disadvantaged communities throughout Ireland. Since 2012, CWI has been working on climate justice with a series of publications and seminars on the topic and through their Climate Justice Working Group.