The National Women’s Council (NWC) All-Island Women’s Forum met last week in Enniskillen where women from all across the Island of Ireland discussed the importance of women’s voices in peacebuilding and ensuring reconciliation remains central to our future.  Our Engagement Officer Paula McAliskey who is a member of the All-Island Forum attended the conference on behalf of NIRWN.

The President of Ireland Michael D. Higgins delivered the keynote address in which he stated  “Evidence suggests that female participants in peace processes are more likely to be focused on reconciliation, economic development and transitional justice – all critical elements of a sustained peace. We therefore need to listen more to those women involved in conflict resolution to allow us achieve positive change”.  Click here to read the President’s full speech

Orla O’Connor, Director of NWC said, “There is a commonality of issues across the island, and providing spaces for women for cooperation and dialogue on the critical issues we face all across the island is more crucial now than ever before. For example, tackling the epidemic of violence against women is a critical issue that requires an all island approach.”