A new document has been launched to highlight major issued affecting women in Donegal today.

The ‘Empowering Women in Donegal’ report was compiled by a group of five local activists under the Next Chapter cross-border project.

The Next Chapter Donegal project leaders in Donegal at the launch of the Empowering Women in Donegal discussion document in the Radisson Hotel, 28th February 2020

The group gained insight on a diverse range of women’s lives through meetings, events and individual interactions with women throughout the county.

The research identified key concerns and barriers faced by women in Donegal on the topics of education, health, childcare, transport, housing, natural habitat, employment, family and government & public services.

Findings within the Empowering Women in Donegal document:

The findings were included in a discussion document which was recently launched in Letterkenny. All local politicians and policy makers are due to receive the report. The document asks representatives to address the issues and contribute to a more gender-sensitive society through the sourcing of solutions, funding and projects.

The Next Chapter project leaders in Donegal at the launch of the Empowering Women in Donegal discussion document in the Radisson Hotel, 28th February 2020
The Next Chapter project leaders in Donegal at the launch of the Empowering Women in Donegal discussion document in the Radisson Hotel, 28th February 2020

Mary Mc Donald, Regional Co-ordinator, said the project was particularly important given “the rural isolation and the isolation of County Donegal within the National context.”

The group’s vision for the future is to use the discussions document to highlight the issues relevant to Donegal. They also plan to apply for funding to enable them to extend and move forward.

Doreen Sheridan Kennedy speaking at the launch of the Empowering Women in Donegal discussion document in the Radisson Hotel, 28th February 2020

The Next Chapter project aims to contribute towards bringing about lasting peace building and societal change through the empowerment and greater involvement of women in community, public and political life and is delivered by Politics Plus, the Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action and Irish Rural Link.

It is funded through the European Union’s PEACE IV Programme, managed by the Special EU Programmes Body. Match-funding for the project has also been provided by the Department of Rural and Community Development in Ireland and the Executive Office in Northern Ireland.

Since launching in 2018, The Next Chapter project has facilitated ten Chapters of over 300 women in total from around Northern Ireland and the border counties to meet, network and collaborate on various projects.