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ON-GOING PROJECTS

Gender Equality

Participants - Belfast

TIERNEY Geraldine (Local Coordinator)

Contact Details

Organisation       N&W H&SS Trust
Position              European Officer

Springvale Millenium Outreach Centre
400 Springfield Road, BT12 7DU , BELFAST

Tel +44 2890 332299
Fax + 44 2890 332099
E-mail TierneyG@nwb.n-i.nhs.uk

Work

I have many years experience of community development work, European work and also as acting Chief Executive of the West Belfast Partnership Board. All of these roles demand work at multiple layers especially with politicians, statutory bodies and community representatives at a time of significant political change in Ireland .

My current work in European projects contributes to the economic development of North & West Belfast as well as providing opportunities for local representatives to participate in the shaping and delivery of European projects.

Good ways of involving women in decision-making

• Removing some of the barriers to participation e.g. the provision of childcare.
• Supporting them in new challenges - yes you can do it!
• Providing learning opportunities.
• Valuing their existing experience and the much undervalued skill of actually listening to other people.

Major obstacles facing women in becoming more involved in decision making

• Caring commitments
• Lack of confidence, encouragement and support
• A perceived or actual glass ceiling.

Participates: Steering Group Meetings

MATTHEWS Nicola

Contact Details

Organisation       N&W H&SS Trust - Futures Project
Position             Office Manager

Springvale Millenium Outreach Centre
400 Springfield Road, BT12 7DU , BELFAST

Tel +44 2890 900022
Fax + 44 2890 900023
E-mail Nichola.Matthews@nwb.n-i.nhs.uk
Web site www.futures-ni.org

Work

I currently work on a project called Futures. Futures is supported by the European Social Fund under the EQUAL Community Initiative. The Futures Project has been developed through the North and West Belfast Health Action Zone which is a partnership of 17 bodies from the public, community and private sectors. The aim of the project is to understand employability issues in North and West Belfast and to influence policy in all areas to tackle these issues. This is a voluntary programme for people who have been receiving Job Seekers' Allowance continuously for at least the last year or people who are on Job Seekers' Allowance and have been on New Deal within the last year. The Project consists of a Project Manager, three Project Support Workers and an Office Manager (my role). The main roles of the Project Support Workers is to work with long-term unemployed people and their households to identify what makes it difficult for them to get jobs and to support households to find and use services such as training, personal support and work experience.

In addition, Futures is involved in a European partnership. Its aim is to share knowledge and experience of working to improve access to employment. Seven European partners are involved - Austria (covering the whole country), Belfast, Dortmund, Paris, Rotterdam, Vienna and Westmeath. The European partnership is concentrating on two themes - 'Health and Employment' and 'Policy and Employment'.

Interests

I am interesting in participating in the Latent Potential Project to develop European links and to observe how the conference is organised. I will be arranging the Women and Participation exchange in Belfast in September 2004 and hope to transfer the experiences gained in the Turin exchange to this.

Participates: Turin PREW

BARRON Orla

Contact Details

Organisation       South & East H&SS Trust
Position              Equality & Diversity Manager

Tel + 44 2890 566700
Fax
E-mail Orla.barron@sebt.n-i.nhs.uk

Work

Currently work in South and East Belfast Health & Social Services Trust as Equality & Diversity Manager. Responsible for mainstreaming equality throughout the Trust and ensuring that necessary actions are taken at all levels to meet the Trust's dual statutory responsibilities under the Northern Ireland Act 1998. Remit also incorporates Diversity and human rights.

In my role as Equality & Diversity Manager, I would provide support and advice to Trust Managers on all new and existing policies within our Health & Social Services Trust. I would also be responsible for responding to consultation exercises regarding new policies and strategies - these come from the Department of Health, the OFMDFM, the Health Boards and Trusts, voluntary groups and other statutory bodies as an integral element of the NI Act '98 - which stipulates the need to consult with relevant bodies. Am also a member of the joint consultation group which is currently devising a joint consultation forum event in Belfast for health & social services, housing, leisure and education - this multi-agency approach will allow the different sectors to look at generic and topical issues with a large representation of Section 75 groups. (NI Act 98)

Good ways of involving women in decision-making

Consultation with Section 75 groups as per the Northern Ireland Act 1998 has been an opportunity for women to be involved in decision making process. Opportunity Now (HPSS) has been a useful forum for bringing women together to discuss and debate topical issues and build a strong network to help women further themselves.

Major obstacles facing women in becoming more involved in decision making

• In some sectors and industries, the glass ceiling does exist and prevents women from becoming more involved in decision making.
• Cultural perceptions and beliefs can also hinder women from achieving their full potential.
• Family expectations and incorporating home/family life with a career can present problems for women.
• Voluntary/unpaid placements not recognised as sufficient skills for job since it was not obtained through usual employment route.
• Educational/Learning & Development opportunities stinted due to marriage/children

Participates: Toledo PREW

McGLADE Anne

Contact Details

Organisation       Eastern Health & Social Services Board (EHSSB)
Position              Equality and Human Rights Manager

Tel + 44 2890 553974
Fax + 44 2890 553620
E-mail amcglade@ehssb.n-i.nhs.uk

Work

Equality and Human Rights Manager within the Eastern Health and Social Services Board (EHSSB), Northern Ireland . The equality role relates to unique legislation in Northern Ireland . This is referred to as Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998. The legislation placed specific equality duties on public bodies to promote equality of opportunity and good relations. The EHSSB is the largest of the four Health and Social Services Boards in Northern Ireland . It has the responsibility for commissioning a wide range of health and social services.

As a Manager within the EHSSB I have responsibility for ensuring that the Board meets its equality duties. This requires negotiating at different levels within the organisation and externally. I am required to represent the EHSSB on a number of working groups and have coordinating roles chairing roles for specific groups. This requires the ability to make decisions within the parameters of my role.

The role of the Equality and Human Rights Manager provides the opportunity to engage in a number of forums where issues about tackling inequalities for a range of marginalised groups are addressed. Issues include those relating, for example, to gender, disability, ethnicity and other groups covered by the Section 75 legislation (nine groups are covered).

Good ways of involving women in decision-making

• Initially by ensuring that Selection and Recruitment processes are fair.
• Women need to be encouraged to join organisations and encouraged to make career moves.
• Providing training and development opportunities throughout the organisations.
• Have support networks.
• Valuing women for their contribution at various levels in decision-making processes.

Major obstacles facing women in becoming more involved in decision making

• Inequalities of Opportunities
• Societal and organisational Prejudices - perceived "top ceiling" where men are viewed "as better".
• Lack of encouragement and support. Women often undervalue their own contribution.
• Work and home life balances and imbalances.

These inequalities and barriers are even more pronounced if there are issues of multiple identities - women with disabilities, black and minority ethnic women often face dual discrimination.

Participates: Toledo PREW

SERVICE John

Contact Details

Organisation       N&W H&SS Trust
Position              Hotel Services Manager

Tel + 44 2890 247821
Fax + 44 2890 247610
E-mail John.service@nwb.n-i.nhs.uk

Work  

Currently a member of the Trust's Equality group. During the course of my duties I am required to apply Equality Legislation and Trust Policies and Guidance on all issues, not least across various staff groups who are employed and come from differing backgrounds and cultures.

Good ways of involving women in decision-making

In my experience, to involve anyone in decision making it is best to treat the individual as an equal with regards to his or her gender. Apply the attitude of capability for the job in hand and if they are able to demonstrate this their gender need not/should not be considered.

Major obstacles facing women in becoming more involved in decision making

• Probably antiquated thinking in some tiers of the organization/across many major organizations.
• Child-minding issues etc. Unfortunately it is always assumed that the child-minding issue is the female's responsibility.
• Society in general within Northern Ireland, not least North and West Belfast areas, (depending on class levels), see one role for women and another for men. Equal status is not always applied and in more cases than most the women tends to accept the inequality.

Participates: Turin PREW

FARR Alison

Contact Details

Organisation      N&W H&SS Trust
Position             Equality Manager

Tel + 44 2890 821318
Fax + 44 2890 821289
E-mail Alison.Farr@nwb.n-i.nhs.uk

Work

Equality Manager, North and West Belfast Health and Social Services Trust with responsibility for Equality, Human Rights and New Targeting Social Need within the organization. As a Senior Manager in a large public sector I am involved in decision making in relation to my role as Equality Manager but also in my participation in multi-disciplinary and multi-agency working groups.

As Equality Manager my main role is to ensure that the Trust's Equality Scheme is implemented throughout the Trust and that all areas of service delivery promote equality of opportunity and good relations between different sections of the population. I also have a role in ensuring the organisation addresses Human Rights issues and New Targeting Social Needs requirements.

Good ways of involving women in decision-making

1. Inviting them to participate in focus groups or workshop sessions.
2. Inviting participation in multi-professional or multi-agency working groups.
3. Ensuring equal opportunities is practiced with regard to recruitment and selection but also training and personal development opportunities.

Major obstacles facing women in becoming more involved in decision making

1. Work/Life Balance - I think many women are reluctant to take on positions of authority which they perceive will involve longer working hours and extra responsibility as this will interfere with their other responsibilities of household management and childcare.
2. Lack of confidence in their ability to take on more responsibility which can mean women don't put themselves forward for such roles or lack of self-promotion which can have a negative effect on how other people perceive them so that they are not offered such positions.
3. Different pattern of social engagement/networking from men and perhaps less opportunity for such activities.

Participates: Northampton PREW

MC ANOY Liam

Contact Details

Organisation      South Belfast Highway To Health
Position             Manager

Tel + 44 2890 315 791
Fax + 44 2890 311 595
E-mail Highway2health@btconnect.com

Work

I am presently the manager of the healthy living Centre in South Belfast . We currently employ ten Health Development Workers whose role is to organise activities and programmes in some of the most deprived and disadvantaged communities in Belfast . Our aim is to contribute to reducing health inequalities in South Belfast .

I was previously a Lecturer in Community Development Studies at the University of Ulster and the Ulster people's College for fifteen years. I then managed a Family centre in the Shankill area of Belfast .

Interests

I have always been interested in equality, rights and justice and was a member of the Northern Ireland Civil Rights Association. I firmly believe that a lot of talent is underused in our community due to the misguided perceptions about the role of women in our society.

I am of the belief that if given opportunities to acquire skills and to become involved in the decision making and decision taking processes in our society women would create and develop positive changes.

Participates: Belfast PREW

HUGHES Tanya

Contact Details

Organisation       Ballybeen Women's Centre
Position              Responsibe for the overall management

Tel +44 2890 481 632
Fax + 44 2890 484077
E-mail ballybeenwomenscentre@hotmail.com

Work

I have experience of participating in a number of decision-making bodies and have represented Ballybeen Women's Centre on numerous working groups and at events both at home and abroad. I have also worked collaboratively with a wide range of organisations in the development of services that seek to enhance the social, economic and cultural status of women, young people and children.

• I am a member of the South and East Childcare Partnership
• I represent the Women's Centre on the Women's Support Network
• I represent Ballybeen Women's Centre on Ballybeen Improvement Group
• I have been involved in multi agency/inter sectoral strategic working groups addressing issues such as teenage pregnancy, women's health etc.
• I was Chairperson of a cross border training organisation that organised training programmes and overseas work placements for young people.

Good ways of involving women in decision-making

• Supporting women to develop self-confidence and self-esteem
• Giving women a choice
• Making education and training available and accessible to women
• Enabling women to volunteer in the community
• Informing women on issues that affect their lives

Major obstacles facing women in becoming more involved in decision making

• Low levels of self-confidence and self-esteem
• Childcare
• Lack of opportunity to input into decision-making
• Lack of support

Participates: Belfast PREW

O'HARA Seana

Contact Details

Organisation      
Position              Youth Victim Support Worker

Tel +44 2890 501 703
Fax + 44 2890 501 705
E-mail

Work

I first became involved in community work through membership pf our local youth club. This involvement developed into being actively involved in youth and community work. I would be actively involved in planning and implementing a summer programme of activities for children and young people.

Good ways of involving women in decision-making

I feel identifying areas of interest and encouraging participation by allowing women to plan and take ownership of events/ activities.

Major obstacles facing women in becoming more involved in decision making

Having adequate childcare facilities at venues and times that will suit the needs of women

Participates: Belfast PREW

McGinley Agnes

Contact Details

Organisation:   Short Stand Community Centre
Position: Playgroup Supervisor 

26a Beechfield Street ,BELFAST BT5 4EQ

Tel: + 44 (0)28 90 501 702
Fax: + 44 (0)28 90 501 704
E-mail: workmatters@excite.com

Work

I currently supervise a playgroup in Short Strand which is registered to provide 24 places for children aged 2-3 years.

I also supervise an After Schools Club, which provides play care facilities for local parents who are employed or undertaking training or education. I am Unit Leader in St.Matthews Brigin/Guide Unit and am responsible for 55 girls aged 6-17 years and have three other leaders.

I am also involved in the Short Strand Women’s Group where there are various classes; watercolour painting, which has 10 participants who have achieved an OCN level 1 award in painting and are now progressing further;silk painting class, which I am involved in, have progressed from revamping lamps/vases to making cushions, Christmas wall hangings, silk scarves and silk wall paintings. On behalf of the group we have presented the community centre with two beautiful silk paintings in appreciation for the use of the hall. We are working towards the Christmas craft fair and hopefully will sell some of our products.

We are also involved in a cross border exchange group, which consists of women from Drogheda and refugees with an Ethnic origin background. We have made a beautiful silk painting backdrop for them to use in a project they were doing about the Irish cottage and the African hut. We hope to continue contact and get involved in a cultural identify programme.

Good ways of involving women in decision-making

I feel identifying areas of interest and encouraging participation by allowing women to plan and take ownership of events/ activities.

Major obstacles facing women in becoming more involved in decision making

Having adequate childcare facilities at venues and times that will suit the needs of women

Interest
I am interested in participating in the gender equality project because I feel women need to be included in coming back to labour. Through involvement in a creative arts programme there are lots of opportunities and experiences. They will gain confidence and knowledge and through this hopefully make the right decisions/choices of new skills or skills they may have had to enhance their personal development.

Participates: Toledo PREW

WALKER Anne

Contact Details

Organisation:   Ballybeen Women's centre
Position:

Tel: + 44 (0) 28 90481632
Fax: + 44 (0) 28 90484077
E-mail: ballybeenwomenscentre@hotmail.com

Work
I am employed by Ballybeen Women’s Centre as an Outreach and Support Worker. I am responsible for encouraging women back into education and training and supporting them in their development and progression.

I work with women of all ages and have been involved in the development and delivery of specific women’s programmes such as a young mothers programme and personal development programmes.

Over the past year I have supported the development of a number of programmes that address the issue of cultural diversity and have facilitated a number of cross border and cross community initiatives.

Please outline your experience in participating in decision making in the political, social, economic or cultural fields (Please provide details of your role)

• I am currently Secretary of Women Into Politics
• I currently sit on the Management Committee of Women’s Support Network
• I represent Ballybeen Women’s Centre on Ballybeen Improvement Group
• Prior to taking up a paid post I was Chairperson of Ballybeen Women’s Centre for 15 years in a voluntary capacity.
• I was a Board Member of CICERO (European political programme – based in Sheffield)
• I was a Board Member of Ballyhackamore Credit Union form 1999 – 2001

In your experience what have been good ways of involving women in decision-making.

• Supporting women to develop self-confidence and self-esteem
• Giving women a choice
• Making education and training available and accessible to women
• Enabling women to volunteer in the community
• Informing women on issues that affect their lives

What do you feel are the major obstacles facing women in becoming more involved in decision making.

• Low levels of self-confidence and self-esteem
• Childcare
• Lack of opportunity to input into decision-making
• Lack of support

Participates: Toledo PREW