Women’s groups from across Co. Wexford got together at a networking day hosted by Wexford Local Development, in the Horse & Hound, Ballinaboola on Tuesday, March 22nd.
Groups from Courtown, Riverchapel, Bridgetown, Clongeen, Gorey, Tomhaggard, Ramsgrange, New Ross and Raheen came together for a belated celebration of International Women’s Day to discuss common issues and look at how to develop a county-wide network for women’s groups.
As well as animated discussion on serious gender equality issues, the participants also had the opportunity to attend informative workshops on willow-weaving and mindfulness where some new skills were learned by all.
On the topic of equality, groups voiced the importance of the existence and development of local women’s groups to address issues such as isolation, access to educational opportunities, affordable childcare, diversity and the solidarity that being part of a women’s group can provide. All the women present were more than willing to share their experiences of being part of a group, learning from each other and being part of their local community.
Wexford Local Development provides information and support to numerous women’s organisations across the county and Catherine Brazil, New Ross District Community Development Officer organised the networking event, in conjunction with Rosemary Butler of Shelbourne Women’s Group. Also facilitating on the day were Bernie McGee and Carol Faulkner from the Rosebud’s Women’s Group in Clongeen. When asked what WLD can do to further support these groups, the unanimous reply was to organise more networking events where groups could come together to learn from each other, share experiences and ideas for activities, get information and have the voice of all women, young and old, better represented at decision making tables that they felt are so often male dominated.
The event was full of vibrant energy and the 70 women in attendance presented a number of ideas to Wexford Local Development’s Community Development team for future action in the promotion of gender equality, including the facilitation of a county-wide network, starting at district level over the coming months.
For more information our district Community Development Officers can be contacted at any of our four local offices in Gorey, Wexford, Enniscorthy or New Ross or by emailing info@wld.ie