NIRWN supported our members to attend and make representation in the NI Assembly Chambers at the Women’s Parliament held at Parliament Buildings, Stormont Estate. NIRWN members Edel Gribbin, Denise Kelso and Barbara Campbell had the opportunity to speak on issues affecting rural women in their areas. They members provided powerful testimony and advocacy on behalf of all rural women in our region. We also had members in attendance who provided support and solidarity to those speaking.

 

To be part of a sisterhood is always special and it felt very special to be in the chamber; the very heart of our governance with other women calling for better equity of provision and resources for women.

 

A special thanks to the women who stepped outside of their comfort to make participate and to those who attended in support of them, to the NI Assembly Team who worked hard for weeks to ensure women felt prepared and were well taken care of and to the MLAs who participated in roundtable discussions over lunch and to DAERA Minister Andrew Muir MLA who specifically made time to meet our members and listen to them.

 

The Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Andrew Muir MLA, the Minister of Health, Mike Nesbitt MLA and Junior Ministers, Aisling Reilly MLA and Pam Cameron MLA were also present to respond to the motion.

 

The event was livestreamed on the day, but you can view the entire session on YouTube by clicking here