SPEECH FOR PRESIDENT McALEESE AT THE BALLYFERMOT WOMEN’S FORUM BALLYFERMOT PARTNERSHIP OFFICES
SPEECH FOR PRESIDENT McALEESE AT THE BALLYFERMOT WOMEN’S FORUM BALLYFERMOT PARTNERSHIP OFFICES ON FRIDAY, 6 NOVEMBER, 1998
I am delighted to be back again in Ballyfermot this afternoon - and I would particularly like to thank Stella O’Brien for inviting me to visit Ballyfermot Partnership – giving me a welcome opportunity to meet the members of the Partnership and the relatively new Women’s Forum - which I know was formed last year following a seminar in Ballyfermot Library which addressed the plight of “Ballyfermot Women in a Changing World”.
This Partnership and Forum are another example of how people in communities are coming together in groups - sharing their ideas about how they can improve both their own personal lives and their lives within the community – and joining with others who share common interests in finding solutions to problems, and making progress, in partnerships and alliances that are sharply focussed on the people and communities in which they live.
Ireland has changed in many ways over the last two decades – and central to that success has been the coming together of the Social Partners at national level to agree on a common approach to bringing our economy and society forward. Despite this however, there are still many challenges to face – where not everyone is benefiting from our changing fortunes – where some people can feel excluded or even isolated through circumstance - and feel that they are not sharing in a meaningful way in our new-found economic success.
In parallel with the partnership at national level, in communities all over Ireland - where people are working in partnerships to address their needs as they see them, the strong presence of women in community and voluntary groups has brought about a much better gender balance – and the addition of a whole wealth of talent and skill that greatly enhances their efforts. Women with energy and vitality – with a different approach to solving problems – are pooling their resources with their neighbours, so that the community as a whole is benefiting from the contribution which they are making to the regeneration of their areas.
Local Development is built on the principle of involving people in the development of their own areas – and the motivation and enthusiasm derived from that empowerment is playing a huge part in so many communities. Many people are learning - with surprise in some instances - that they can make a valid contribution to the improvement of their own areas. Many are finding a voice for the first time - and discovering that their ideas and energies are valuable commodities to be shared with others as a way of developing strategies for dealing with particular problem areas.
That work is continuing to build up communities by encouraging people to seek and acquire new skills – thereby increasing self-confidence and belief in themselves – so that they can bring about the social regeneration of their own areas. The Mission Statement of the Ballyfermot Womens’ Forum - that women must be supported and empowered in their personal and community living by promoting and providing relevant information on issues of importance to them - recognises that information is the key to progress – the foundation from which you can move forward – and has already brought about three information days on Health Awareness, Education Information and Women and Violence.
Women in Irish society are still seen as very much in a caring role, where their families tend to come first when it comes to needs. But traditional views are changing as society is changing – and women are quite correctly demanding that they be given access to opportunity and careers. To make that transition, many women are seeking to become involved in further education, and to remove the barriers that have kept them at home – barriers such as inadequate childcare facilities – objections from a spouse or partner – or in some cases, the entrapment of domestic violence, where they feel obliged to tolerate dreadful domestic situations for the sake of their children. It is through participation in information days – linking up with other women – sharing their burden and reaching out for new horizons – that they can find a way forward – and through further education and access to information, can play a more substantial role in the society and community in which they live.
The Ballyfermot Partnership is a very active partnership - totally committed to the people of Ballyfermot - and to helping them regenerate their areas, so that they can have a better life for themselves and future generations – so that their community is one in which they can take pride. In coming here this afternoon I would like to give recognition to your achievements – and to take this opportunity to wish you continued success in the future. I would also like to congratulate the Womens’ Forum on the successful role that they have played in the work of the Ballyfermot Partnership. I hope that the women of the Forum will continue to go from strength to strength as they cross new hurdles and obstacles – and turn challenge to opportunity in the exciting times that lie ahead.