This article is from page 21 of the 2012-03-06 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 21 JPG
A NEW multi-cultural women’s group with the aim of empowering women and promoting greater integration is to be established in the county this week.
Excelling Women Network will be the Clare branch of a national organisation for women of all ages in the county and will be launched by the Mayor of Clare, Cllr Pat Hayes, this Thursday in the Old Ground Hotel to kickstart International Women’s Day celebrations in the county capital.
“Excelling Women is a network for all women,” says spokesperson Orla Ni Éilí, “and will focus on activities that engage, inform and empower women, support and deepen integration and create opportunities for self and community development and fulfillment.
“Excelling Women Clare are delighted to be launched on the 101st anniversary of International Women’s Day, a day that is celebrated and marked worldwide in commemoration of the New York women garment-workers’ strike for equal pay and better working conditions in 1911,” Ms Ní Éilí added.
“The organisation is a network of women from many different cultural backgrounds coming together to learn, celebrate, build relationships and enhance life in Ireland for themselves and the wider community,” explained Kate Njoku for the Excelling Women Network. “Women will have the opportunity to get out of their homes, meet others, cut down on isolation and also engage in society at all levels from the very personal to the political,” she added.
Ahead of launching the new organisation, Mayor of Clare, Cllr Pat Hayes said, “Excelling Women is a very positive initiative for the county.”
The calendar of events for Excelling Women Network includes information sessions and discussions on health and wellbeing, participation in civic and political life, training and employment, child rearing and the family and of course intercultural celebration.
The next event, pencilled in for April, will focus on personal development and active citizenship at local and global level.