|
PRESS RELEASE “Migrant women are ready and able to make a meaningful contribution in Irish politics”
AkiDwA and the Women from Minorities Network are marking International Women’s Day with a conference highlighting migrant women’s contribution to the cultural, civic and political life of Ireland. In these uncertain times it is more important than ever to encourage the full participation of migrant women in their local communities and within the political system. Migrant women’s strong voices are needed in civic and political matters that affect their lives. They can create powerful positive change through their civil engagement and the power of their votes. The conference, ‘Strengthening the Voices of Migrant Women’, aims to provide an opportunity and open platform for the discussion of migrant women in politics and to support migrant women going forward in the local June elections. Ireland ranks 82nd out of 189 countries for the percentage of women in parliament and 23rd out of the 27 EU countries. In the last General Election only 22 women TDs were elected to the Dáil out of 166 seats. “We aim to increase the number of women politicians,” AkiDwA Director Salome Mbugua said, “Migrant women are ready and able to make a meaningful contribution in Irish politics. We encourage migrant women to take this historic opportunity to participate in Ireland’s political system in the next local elections,” said Ms Mbugua. Immigrant political stock is rising in Ireland; the 2006 census reported Ireland’s immigrant population at 12%. The recent election of President Barack Obama in the United States and Ireland’s first African mayor, Rotimi Adebari in 2007 has seen the face of politics internationally changing to become more representative. The four major political parties, Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael, Labour and the Green party, had, as of the end of January, selected 16 immigrants to stand in the local elections. 5 migrant women candidates going forward for June 2009 local election will present at the conference. Speaking at the conference Women from Minorities Network Chairperson Benedicta Attoh said “Migrant women candidates are inclusive in their political outlook and want to provide better lives for all of their constituents, working on issues of education, poverty and health.” Female ambassadors from five different African countries will present their views on civic and political participation on the day, including Honorary Consular of Uganda to Ireland Sylvia Gavigan, South African Ambassador Priscilla Jana, Nigerian Ambassador Kema Chikwe, Kenyan Ambassador Catherine Mwangi and Lesothian Ambassador Manette Ramailli. Joanna McMinn, Director, National Women’s Council of Ireland, will deliver the keynote address. The Lord Mayor of Dublin, Eibhlin Byrne, will launch AkiDwA’s report Domestic Violence Amongst Migrant Communities in Ireland at the conference. For further information, contact Salome Mbugua at AkiDwA on 0874150906 or Benedicta Attoh on 087-9817853 |
The Kenyan Government has decided to halve its visa entry fees in a bid to encourage more tourists to visit the East African country. 
An armed gang escaped with €7m after holding a mother and daughter hostage as a young worker was ordered to carry out the biggest ever bank heist in Ireland.
