A group of women have taken part in the first in a series of peace and reconciliation events at Parliament Buildings.
Organised by The Next Chapter, an EU PEACE IV funded project which targets women in Northern Ireland and the border regions of the Republic of Ireland, the event took place to mark International Women’s Day 2019.
The project helps women to develop their ideas, build communities and support the transition out of conflict.
The event was based on the IWD 2019 global theme #BalanceforBetter and discussed the importance of women leading on the journey from conflict to community co-operation and delivering positive change on issues like good relations and gender equality.
Participants from the Belfast, Lisburn and Castlereagh Next Chapter Hubs joined colleagues from Foyle, Mid Ulster, Newry, Cavan, Louth, Monaghan, Newtownabbey, Enniskillen and Co Donegal, alongside members of the Northern Ireland Assembly Women’s Caucus.
Head of Programmes Joanne Jennings said the Next Chapter project has been designed to support meaningful contact between women of all ages and backgrounds and encourage them to take the next step into community, politics and public life.
“Recent training in women’s roles in peace building, decision making in public and political life and communication, has increased competency and already given some participants the confidence and skills they needed to represent the communities where they live and work. This event heralds the beginning of an exciting series of conversations and debates, new alliances and networks, enabling change and the generation of new ideas,” she added.
Chair of the Northern Ireland Assembly Women’s Caucus Megan Fearon MLA said they believe that the future success of peace-building relies on increasing the number of women in community, public and political life.
Deputy Chair of the Women’s Caucus Kellie Armstrong MLA said initiatives such as this are essential, but that we still have a long way to go and we all have a role to play.