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NEWS A Warm Welcome to our New Members 2 Women’s Support Network News October 2009 A Bill of Rights for Northern Full Member: Women 2gather, East Belfast. Ireland The group meets on a Friday morning to help women with mental health problems. They offer support, companionship and As part of a series of roundtable courses. If you would like more information please contact Cathy at [email protected]. discussions on the proposed

Bill of Rights for Northern Associate Member: Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB). Ireland, the Northern Ireland RNIB organize and deliver confidence building and personal development courses, IT training, and volunteer placements to Human Rights Commission blind and visually impaired women. For further information email [email protected]. this issue (NIHRC) hosted an event on 24 Gender Equality StrategyP.1 September for Non- Associate Member: Community Relations Forum, Newtownabbey. Newsletters Work! Government Organisations at Member Spotlight P.2 The CRF has been established in the Baron Hall, Newtownabbey. They work with all people throughout the Borough and E-news Works! Stormont Hotel. WCRP News P.4 beyond, on issues of good relations. They will soon be running a programme for women on history and culture. Action Works!

We Work! Women and Pensions P.7 The Northern Ireland Office Associate Member: Children in Northern Ireland. (NIO) is currently preparing its CiNI is the regional umbrella organisation for the children’s sector in NI. It aims to enhance the lives of all children in North- response to the NIHRC Welcome to our new, and we ern Ireland by promoting the work of the children’s sector and maximizing positive outcomes for children, young people and Gender Equality Strategy recommendations on a Bill of hope you agree, improved their families. For more information go to www.ci-ni.org.uk. Rights for Northern Ireland Women’s Support Network The Gender Equality Strategy 2006-2016 provides a The Panel was disappointed that the OFMDFM

Newsletter! Committee were restricting the number of Panel made in December 2008 Associate Member: PlayBoard NI. framework for action to promote equality for women and (www.nihrc.org). This edition is packed full of men in Northern Ireland. A copy of the strategy can be Members to four so after a discussion, it was agree PlayBoard NI campaign, raise awareness and develop partnerships in order to promote the child’s right to play and the holis- information, news and updates found on the OFMDFM website: www.ofmdfmni.gov.uk. that five Panel representatives would be put forward — tic benefits thereof. They aspire to put children and young people’s play related issues onto the agendas of policymakers It is anticipated that the NIO which we hope you will find The strategy is supported by Departmental Action Plans, four from the women’s sector and one from the men’s and resource providers. If you’d like to know more about PlayBoard NI visit their website at www.playboard.org. response will be opened for useful. We will continue to keep which outline what each department plans to do in order to sector: Annie Campbell (Women’s Aid Federation),

public consultation between you up to speed on the issues address gender inequality in their own particular area of Patricia Haren (Women’s Support Network), Bronagh

October and December this that matter. work. Hinds (Women’s National Commission), Margaret

year. Ward (Women’s Resource and Development Agency), Join Us If there is anything you would like These action plans have been developed in consultation and Michael Lynch (Men’s Action Network) . Lesbian Advocacy Services Women’s Support Network is us to cover feel free to get in with a group of community representatives set up by the funded by the Department for As a membership organisation, the Initiative (LASI) touch. We’re always happy to OFMDFM Gender & Sexual Orientation Equality Unit (the A briefing paper with the main points was drawn up Social Development, through Women’s Support Network is committed hear from you. LASI has moved to bigger and VCU (Voluntary & Community to supporting the development of Unit), known as the Gender Advisory Panel (The Panel). A and circulated to the Panel for comments. You can women’s organisations, enable collective brighter new office premises Unit) list of the representatives of the Panel can be found on the obtain a copy of this paper at www.wsn.org.uk. action and positively impact on policy Best Wishes that will allow them to provide a and decision making WSN web site www.wsn.org.uk. long-needed community processes. Women’s Support Network Team Unfortunately Annie was unable to attend on the day

so the remaining four went on to meet the OFMDFM resource space for lesbian and We can provide your organisation with The Action Plans are now in final draft form, and the Panel Women’s Support Network bisexual women in Belfast. the following services: has had the chance to review them. Committee. Feel free drop in for a cuppa Downtown Women’s Building - Information to support your group Floor 2 and a tour of their new offices at Women’s Support Network are - Networking opportunities and events On 11th September, the Unit informed the Panel that the Two OFMDFM officials, Eileen Sung and Gerry 9-13 Waring Street, 2nd Floor proud to hold the IIP Award, recog- - Outreach Support 109-113 Royal Avenue OFMDFM Assembly Committee wanted to meet on 23rd Mulligan, introduced the Panel and set the scene. Our nising our commitment to training - Advice and signposting Belfast representatives had 30 minutes to present their Belfast BT1 2DX and development. - Policy consultations and campaigning September to discuss the draft Action Plans, and to obtain T: 028 9024 9452 - Promotion of the Women’s Sector BT1 1FF their overall views on how the Gender Equality Strategy was briefing paper and take questions from the Committee. E: [email protected] T: 028 9023 6923 progressing. On the day of the meeting, Panel After which, Eileen and Gerry returned to the For further information on how to E: [email protected] Committee to answer questions and clarify the points W: www.lasionline.org become a member or subscriber please representatives were joined for lunch by Junior Minister, visit our website at www.wsn.org.uk. W: www.wsn.org.uk Robin Newton. raised.

Inland Revenue Charity no: Continued Page 5... 8 XR40415 1 WSN ON... EYE ON IT— CHILDCARE Health in Member Spotlight Pregnancy Grant

EYSA – The Early Years Strategic on...

Alliance was established by REMEMBER—if you're a Children in Northern Ireland (CiNI) mum-to-be you may be and the Women’s Support Network able to get a one-off, tax- free payment called the (WSN), to promote joint-working Health in Pregnancy with and between representatives Grant. from key organisations in the child care and women’s sector. The Women and Pensions The money is Alliance meets quarterly with to help you Kilcooley Women’s Centre Glass Painting. and the Christian Brothers, The state pension age for state pension will be paid to state pension age for men with costs in venues rotating between WSN and was formed in 1995 when to help women with their women, currently 60, will be you at a set date, which will and women will be 68. the run up to CiNI. Its main focus is to review your baby's five women and a tutor They also offer Conflict training costs. gradually moved upwards over be somewhere between your the ‘Early Years Manifesto’, which Entitlement to the basic state birth. decided to set up a group Resolution and Peace and the next decade to bring it in 60th and 65th birthday. was developed by the Alliance and pension depends on, amongst whose aim was to promote Reconciliation Training. The Women’s Centre was line with the pension age for launched by the Education If you were born on or after 6 other things, the amount of full and establish an education formed by local women, for men, which is currently 65. Minister. EYSA also plays a role in April 1955 your state pension rate national insurance (NI) How to claim programme for women. This year has seen the start local women— whilst we turn lobbying government on issues The revised age depends on age will be the same as that contributions you have paid of a new era for the group as no woman away, Kilcooley You can only get a claim relating to childcare, such as your date of birth. If you were for a man. over the course of your Today this group has an they are now able to offer Women remain our first pri- form from your midwife or advocating for a Childcare and born before 6 April 1950, then working life. your doctor, if that is who average of 250 women in accredited courses in their ority. State pension ages for both Early Years Strategy for Northern you will still be able to get your own right. you see for your ante-natal educational classes and men and women will then These changes will be of Ireland. state pension at 60. appointments. They will:

around 100 participating in move on one year per particular benefit to women The most recent EYSA meeting the healthy living project. The group has achieved For further information: was hosted by CiNI on 23 If you were born between 6 April decade between 2024 and when they come into force on • usually give you the accreditation status from claim form at your next September. The focus of the 1950 and 5 April 1955, your 2046, so that by 2046 the 6 April 2010. Their mission statement is AQA, CCEA, OCR, OCN and Kilcooley Women’s Group ante-natal appointment meeting was the progress of the BCS. Kilcooley Primary School after your 25th week of Childcare and Early Years pregnancy; ‘Creating a Caring and Ganaway Avenue Strategies and other lobbying Pension Questions & Answers: • need to complete, sign Learning Community’ This will ensure that the Bangor, BT19 1QS issues, including producing and date their part of

courses on offer can be T: 028 9147 8292 briefings for MLAs on childcare, I am divorced and under my state pension I am single, over 60 and only have a small the claim form before Kilcooley Women’s Centre tailored to the needs of W: kilcooleywomenscentre.org.uk age. Will my ex-husband's national insur- pension. Is there a top-up pension I can giving it to you. and requesting meetings with ance record help me? Will this still be the claim? offers a wide range of learners. case if I re-marry before my state pension relevant civil servants and training and education age? Pensions Credit is a means tested benefit, that politicians. The Women’s Support can be claimed by people aged 60 or above Once your midwife or courses for women. New The Centre has charitable For the purpose of claiming a state pension living in Great Britain. Pension Credit doctor has completed their Network aims to provide EYSA you can have your former spouse's record of courses starting for 2009 status, and is funded through The "Advancement of Women guarantees recipients in this age bracket an part of the claim form, you updates on our website an ongoing national insurance contributions substituted income of at least: include GCSE English, Department of Social Programme” project is part for your own. fill in the rest and send it in basis, and will post EYSA minutes • £130.00 a week if you are single Sociology, Maths, AS Level Development, TWN, Peace funded by the European Social • £198.45 a week if you have a partner the envelope provided to: when they become available. None of this applies if you remarry before you reach your state pension age. Instead you Sociology , ECDL, CLAIT, 3, European Social Fund, the Fund HM Revenue & Customs If you are interested in joining will, if necessary, be able to claim 60% of Also, if you or your partner are 65 or over you Introduction to IT, Womens Department of Foreign Affairs your new husband's basic state pension may be rewarded for saving for your Health in Pregnancy Grant the Alliance, contact Outreach when he reaches his state pension age. Comben House Studies, C.V. Building, Reconciliation Fund, Lloyds retirement, up to: Officer, Caroline McCord at • £20.40 if you are single Farriers Way TSB, Bombardier, Proteus Nutrition, Weight Club, and • £27.30 a week if you have a partner Liverpool WSN, T: 028 9023 6923 or L75 1AX [email protected]

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Women and Public Women and Public Member News/Events Appointments Women in Public Life Appointments

The Minister for Social The Equality Commission Development, Margaret Ritchie (MLA), has has announced that the announced the appointment Northern Ireland Office has of six Commissioners to the Women are significantly more women into political activists, signed up appointed four new new Charity Commission EAS: Employability & EAS is aimed at blind or For further information or under-represented across decision making in public to by all political parties. Commissioners, two of for Northern Ireland. Skills Project visually impaired individuals advice on these programmes, who are of working age but many areas of decision- and political life. which are women: Two of which are women: please contact the following making in political and civic WIP have a variety of The Employability & Skills currently unemployed. The life in Northern Ireland. Our work is based on programmes to enable Anna Carragher has had a project is run by the RNIB project is designed to assist Ryan Bowes— across all four of our sites in in the development of the long-term outcomes. We women to strengthen their successful media career RNIB We currently have 18 out of deliver political leadership decision-making skills, since 1970, most recently Northern Ireland. It is partly skills necessary to gain 40 Linenhall Street 108 MLA’s, 126 out of 520 skills training to which are accredited by ILM as Head of Programmes for funded by the European employment or a place in Belfast local government councillors, grassroots women across (Institute of Leadership and BBC Northern Ireland and Social Fund, Department of further education. T: 028 9032 9373 and three out of 18 MP’s NI, promote non-sectarian Management). BBC Northern Ireland Patricia Sloan Education & Learning, and The project is composed of Deputy Chief Charity the Disablement Advisory three elements - who are female. 33% of political dialogue, and Controller until 2006. She Commissioner Annmarie Houston - people currently appointed to engage with political For further information is the current Chair of the Service. We are currently RNIB in the second year of a Confidence Building public bodies are women. In parties to address flaws please contact Grand Opera House, Ms Patricia Sloan is 9 Magazine Street June of this year, two out of within their recruitment Isobel Loughran (Training & Belfast, and a member of currently National Head of three year project & last IT Training Derry three MEP’s elected were and selection processes. Education Co-ordinator) the Human Fertilisation and BBC Children in Need in NI year saw over 70 Work Placement T: 028 7136 6060 and was previously Chief participants take advantage female. or Nuala McCusker Embryology Authority. Executive of the NI Human of the courses we offer. As Participants can elect to We are also working in (Administrator) on T: 028 Rights Commission. She This project is part financed serves as a board member the winter approaches, complete one element, any by the WIP is the only NGO in partnership with NILGA 9024 3363. And please Lyn McBriar is a self- European Social Fund and the of the Joseph Rowntree perhaps EAS has combination of two Northern Ireland whose main on a Mentoring and visit our website: employed Human Charitable Trust. Department for Employment and Learning strategic focus is to progress Shadowing scheme for www.womenintopolitics.eu Resources consultant, something to offer you? elements, or all three. specialising in leadership, The Women’s National Commission—Women in Public Life Guide development and

ATLAS WOMEN’S CENTRE NEWS organisational change. She

was formerly Regional

th The Women’s National may not be can become active in Head of Human Resources On September 24 staff, A group of women Commission (WNC) is represented by public life and why (Northern Ireland and Isle of directors, volunteers and organised the entire event, Ms Angila Chada the only official, national mainstream women’s representation Man) with Marks & Charity Commissioner course participants raised which consisted of a three body working on organisations. is so vitally important. Spencer, where she led the a glass to Arthur and 30 course meal, quizzes, a women’s equality. human resources function Ms Chada is an Executive other women. The sing-along, spot prizes and Director of Springboard and The WNC have now A copy of the Guide can during a period of celebration was not only dancing. Board Member of The WNC plays a major published a hard copy be accessed here: significant corporate Intercomm. She serves as for Arthur’s birthday but to role in bringing the of the Women in growth. She has held a a member of Belfast City mark the achievement of What a great way to build Councills Migrant Forum, Any excuse for the Lisburn voice of women to Public Life Guide. http://www.thewnc.org.uk/ variety of managerial many women who attend confidence, learn new Ethnic Minorities Forum women to have a party! government, particularly publications/cat_view/126- positions in consultancy and Good Relations ATLAS Women’s Centre. skills and meet people. those women who This publication women-in-public-life.html and in the private sector. Partnership. explains how women

6 3 Falls Women’s Women’s Centre’s Regional Partnership NEWS Centre Advice Gender Equality Strategy The Women’s Centres Regional Column Prospectus Launch … continued from page 1 Partnership (WCRP) will soon Some of the main issues the Panel Panel representatives were asked a The Falls Women’s Centre Advice launch the new report: highlighted were: variety of questions regarding the & Advocacy Department has been Pictured from Left to Right: 1. The lack of women in public cost of implementing the Strategy providing counselling and advice Andrea Patterson (DSD) “Barriers Facing Women in and political life – this is very and how the Panel have found the services to women for over twenty- Disadvantaged Communities” Patricia Haren (Director WSN important at this time due to the Gender Equality Strategy processes. five years. We offer advice on a & Board Member WCRP) Review of Public range of areas including DLA This comprehensive report has Administration. The Committee A transcript of the meeting will be Appeals, Working Family Tax Russell McCaughey (DSD) been commissioned by DSD, were given statistics on how available on Hansard and OFMDFM Credits, Benefits Analysis, Margaret Logue (Director Women’s produced in partnership with the few women there currently are officials will keep us informed as to Housing, and Unemployment and WCRP and written by Helen Centre, Derry & Chair WCRP). on the Transition Committees at equality issues in future action plan- follow up actions. Employment issues. The Centre McLaughlin. It provides lengthy Local Council Level. ning. also works closely with women analysis and proposals for key Panel representatives took the immigrants in relation to settling 2. Aspects of the draft Concerns with how the Gender The WCRP partners (Northern economically disadvantaged areas Vera Henderson from First Steps actions which challenge all opportunity at the end of the them within our community and on Departmental Action Plans Equality Strategy is working in prac- Ireland Rural Women’s Network, The across Northern Ireland.” Women’s Centre in Dungannon government departments to enact session to seek action and citizenship issues. were disappointing - DOE had tice, particularly around the issue of Women’s Centre Derry, Women’s added: “Try the Women Centres and measures to improve support from the OFMDFM One of the major concerns that has no actions listed, for example. “gender neutral” policy, which fails Support Network, Women’s This year’s Prospectus features a once you have been on a training course opportunities for participation. It Committee. These are listed arisen due to the current financial 3. The need to address childcare to address the real causes of disad- Resource and Development Agency), wide range of courses, from GCSE’s and experience the friendliness of will be launched at NICVA on below. climate is women seeking help with and life long learning needs as vantage. 13 Women’s Centres and Foyle and ICT, to Arts and Health, everyone, you will be hooked!” Thursday 22 October from 10 house repossession. This is a new Women’s Information Network, Aromatherapy, Stress Management Speakers include government area and we have trained staff in • We urge you to request clear evidence of gender equality impact assessment of the overall RPA launched the innovative and new and Plumbing. Andrea Patterson from DSD representatives and the voluntary order to gain the necessary skills strategy and implementation (in particular transition committees) as a matter of urgency. Women’s Community Based commented: "The Department for Social sector. For an invitation and a and experience to assist women in Training and Education And each provider featured within the Development commends the WCRP on full programme please visit this difficult situation. We also • We encourage the Committee to recommend enhanced involvement of the Panel across Prospectus for 2009-2010 in Prospectus offers local women, this excellent publication with regional www.wcrp.org.uk support women through debt Departments. Belfast’s Clifton House on Tuesday families and communities the chance reach. The range of education and management procedures and 25th August. to develop skills, boost their self- training provision catalogued signpost them to the relevant • We call on Committee to press for gender budgeting across government, including ring-fenced esteem and improve their lifestyle. demonstrates that women's organisations support agencies. The ethos of the budgets for actions to tackle remaining gender barriers such as specials men’s or women’s PLAYBOARD LAUNCH WSN coordinated the development of are really at the heart of local Falls Women’s Advice provision is health programmes, employment policy initiatives, provision of childcare facilities, an the prospectus and with over 400 The impact of training delivered to communities. They provide vital local REPORT to continue supporting women from extension of parental leave provisions. classes and courses on offer, the women in a Women’s Centre was services and the support required to PlayBoard, the lead agency for short to long term, particularly Women’s Centres and other projects highlighted very clearly by women make a real difference to women's lives, children and young people’s play through difficult situations. Our • We urge the Committee to lend its continued support to policies to promote and support lifelong aim to improve the lives of local who have engaged in learning using especially in disadvantaged communities. in Northern Ireland, launched the specialist advice is specifically learning, which is of particular importance as we move through a period of sustained economic women and their families. this route. Donna Pollin who It is hoped that this publication will serve timely report, “School Age designed to cater for women and recession. attended Shankill Women’s as a valuable sign-posting tool for women Childcare Matters!” on Thursday their families. Welcoming people to the event Centre, in Belfast, said: “I could not across Northern Ireland and encourage 1st October at Stormont and Falls Women’s Centre will be • We thank the Committee for their attention, and look forward to a response from the OFMDFM Margaret Logue, Chair of the have achieved the GCSE in IT had more women to take a step into the called on the government to providing an ongoing advice Committee and other Committees, and their views and advice on implementing Gender Equality WCRP said: “The new prospectus not been for the help and support I learning environment". urgently provide a Departmental column for the WSN Newsletter. Strategy, and on the Gender Equality Action Plans. highlights the range of programmes have obtained from Roberta and Copies of the Prospectus can be lead and funding for school age We hope you find it interesting and provided by the 27 women’s everyone at the Shankill Women’s obtained by contacting WSN on T: 028 childcare. beneficial. If you require help or • The Gender Advisory Panel hopes that this will be the start of a continuing engagement with the organisations located in socially and Centre.” 9023 6923 or E: [email protected]. advice contact us on OFMDFM Committee and with the Assembly, on these important issues of gender equality. For copies of the report and press

T: 028 9032 7672 release visit www.playboard.org.

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