ISSUE NEWS A Warm Welcome to our New Members 2 Women’s Support Network News A Bill of Rights for Northern Full Member: Women 2gather, East Belfast. October 2009 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 Strategy P.1 September for Non- Associate Member: Community Relations Forum, Newtownabbey. Government Organisations at Newsletters Work! Member Spotlight P.2 The CRF has been established in the Baron Hall, Newtownabbey. They work with all people throughout the Borough and Stormont Hotel. E-news Works! beyond, on issues of good relations. They will soon be running a programme for women on history and culture. WCRP News P.4 Action Works! Women and Pensions P.7 The Northern Ireland Office We Work! 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 made in December 2008 Newsletter! framework for action to promote equality for women and Committee were restricting the number of Panel Associate Member: PlayBoard NI. (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, W: www.wsn.org.uk visit our website at 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.