Fitzgerald opens base for ‘feminist change in Ireland’

The increased participation of women in decision-making roles is essential in any democratic society, Minister for Justice and Equality Frances Fitzgerald said yesterday.

This was especially the case in a country such as Ireland, "which has an almost perfectly gender-balanced population".

A former chairwoman of the National Women’s Council of Ireland, Ms Fitzgerald was officially opening the council’s new offices in Dublin’s Smithfield yesterday.

Women’s rights

“I have every confidence that the council will continue to play a key role in promoting women’s rights and equality,” she told the group of assembled women.

“We are very lucky in Ireland to have a strong grassroots culture of volunteering and citizen engagement in public affairs. NWCI is an exemplar of such organisations.

“It has not rested on its laurels. It has reached out to the new communities in Ireland, whose concerns are now our concerns.”

The Minister also stressed the need to reach out to younger generations of women and men to “encourage them to play their part in making Ireland more equal”.

“In its constant striving to keep the goal of equal rights and equal treatment of all women and men – by all women and men – at the forefront of civil and political debate, NWCI remains an inspiration. Long may this continue.”

Difficult times

Faced with “stringent budget cuts”, the past few years have been financially difficult for the council and its members, according to director Orla O’Connor.

“We hope, with our new offices, we will continue to provide a space and a voice for all women to advocate for change and equality. [They] will serve as a feminist base for our diverse members in Ireland and will be the headquarters for feminist change in Ireland.”

The NWCI’s new offices are located at 100 North King Street, Dublin 7.