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Conference 2012

Womens Leadership in Reshaping Society


Women into Public Life (WIPL) is a regional partnership between Second Chance Education Project for Women (Donegal), Foyle Womens Information Network (Derry/Londonderry), Engender (Scotland) and Donegal County Council. WIPL was funded from 2010-12 by the EUs INTERREG IVA Programme which is managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB)

Summary of conference proceedings, Derry, September 2012


The WIPL conference celebrated the work of the project over the past three years. Over 180 women attended from the North West region and Scotland, many of whom had participated in WIPLs training programmes, workshops and seminars. The conference provided an opportunity to capture the learning from project partners and explored a number of key questions on womens leadership.

WIPL Steering Committee with Mayors of Derry and Donegal who opened the conference.

Conversation on womens leadership chaired by Margaret E Ward with Bernadette McAliskey, Fiona Mackay and Ailbhe Smith

Key points on womens leadership


Historically, public and political life was created for men and is, by design, exclusive of women. Thus, transforming the current power structures is urgently required. Leadership, which involves building self worth and developing skills, has come to be surrounded by mystique. Currently, leadership qualities such as relationship building, still regarded as the preserve of women have not become mainstream. Leadership training must be followed with opportunity to participate in decision making. Experiential learning, a cornerstone of leadership training, has become devalued. Women are taking to the streets again as the recession deepens. Anger at seeing rights eroded is a motivating factor. Role model imaging can be empowering but also limiting. Instead think about Rebuilding womens independence and planning for the future is vital, otherwise the gains made are in danger of being lost.

With more WIPL type programmes, the qualities women bring to leadership will come to be viewed as more mainstream, a welcome development to the situation heretofore, where women who succeeded were those that emulated traditional masculine qualities Dr. Fiona Mackay, University of Edinburgh

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Where are the women?


Research on the gender balance of boards of key decision making structures in Donegal and Derry/Londonderry was launched at the conference. A panel of elected representatives responding to the research highlighted the need for improved gender balance within all partner jurisdictions and cited several examples of the chasm between policy and practice. While opposing views on legislating for quotas were expressed, the need for recruiting women into public life who represent the broad spectrum of womens issues across all strata of society was emphasised. Reform of the public appointments system was urgently recommended. The need for a female apprenticeship programme, the necessity of state bodies embracing the wealth of womens experience and the need for a commission of public appointments in the Republic of Ireland were raised by delegates.
Its still a male, pale world here in Scotland. Cllr. Ellen Morton I believe that if you legislate, the barriers will fall. Kathleen Lynch, TD

Panel discussion: Kathleen Lynch TD, Cllr. Ellen Morton, Martina Anderson MEP and Anne McAteer, HSE

Workshop discussions
Im not a feminist but- delegates highlighted that feminism is often misunderstood, is broad ranging and has different meanings depending on your particular life stage, life choices, experience and world view. Gender quotas in Irish politics- the recently enacted legislation in the Republic was regarded as a good starting point. A similar parity law in France was discussed; however, it was emphasized that legislation does not automatically lead to change. Nobody ever asked me...! Making the leap into party politics elected representatives discussed the personal challenges of politics, the need for family friendly work practices and the importance of having support systems in place. Campaigning and influencing participants heard of successful campaigns such as the Pink Ladies Breast Cancer Support Group and the Empty Purse campaign by the Womens Resource & Development Agency.

Workshop discussions, contd


Womens leadership and the boardroom the lack of transparency regarding board appointments in NI was raised as a key factor for poor levels of female applicants. In the Republic of Ireland the absence of any process or commission for public appointments was regarded as a major issue which needs to be urgently addressed. There she goes again sticking to our agendas as leaders to advance womens equality Working within a deeply embedded patriarchal world was viewed as challenging and it was recommended that other models of leadership and good practice - family friendly and creative in nature be explored. Speaking Up - To manage situations where women find it difficult to speak up practical tips were suggested: managing your physical reactions; preparing well; knowing your strengths; letting go of points if no longer valid, evaluating your performance and learning when to stop speaking!

Key Recommendations
The energy and enthusiasm of participants at the conference clearly demonstrated the importance of providing spaces and opportunities for women to debate and strategise on what is required to address the under-representation of women in public life. Some key recommendations included: We need a more transparent process in public appointments in Northern Ireland and a formal appointments system in the Republic of Ireland. We need more emphasis on quotas in politics in Northern Ireland; if you legislate, the barriers will fall. We need men need to take a step back. We dont always need training we need opportunities; its a demand problem, not a supply problem. We need mentoring and support systems. Be prepared, utilise all your contacts, believe in yourself, learn the rules, be inclusive, consider cost and embrace your uniqueness! (May Blood, Closing Comments)

For a copy of the full conference report and video visit: www.fwin.org.uk www.derrycity.gov.uk/woman www.donegalcdb.ie

Donegal Co Council

Second Chance Education Foyle Womens Project for Women Information Network

The views and opinions expressed in this report do not necessarily reflect those of the European Commission or the Special EU Programmes Body.

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