Gender Equality in the Community
A LOOK AT BELFAST CITY COUNCIL’S GENDER ACTION PLAN
25 grassroots women visited Belfast City Hall and met with the Women’s Steering Group of Belfast City Council on Tuesday 20th August beginning at 10am with a Welcome from Councillor Áine McCabe who is Chair of the Women’s Steering Group.
Women had the opportunity to discuss with the Women’s Steering Group, learn about the current Gender Action Plan, and tour Belfast City Hall with a focus on women Lord Mayors of Belfast.
During discussion time, women talked about the importance of encouraging young women and girls to pursue STEM fields and entre into male dominated industries, affordable childcare, a new look at disability accessible toilets and the importance of ending violence against women and girls.
In total 40 women discussed key issues to achieving gender equality in the council, community and city on that day.
Feedback from the day included:
“I am more motivated to engage with such empowered women’s activity like this.”
“It makes me realise that even here as a foreigner I can be part of a women’s organisation.”
“Hearing directly from women in leadership roles about how they navigate their positions and what they are doing to support and promote other women.”
“Questions provided the opportunity to discuss the issues which matter and gave confidence that BCC is doing the right things and there is more to do.”
“With every workshop I feel more confident and feel like my voice has been heard.”