Kilcooley Women’s Centre celebrate International Women’s Day
By Julie Waters
INSPIRING women from across the borough came together to celebrate International Women’s Day, at an event organised by Kilcooley Women’s Centre.
The City Church Bangor event brought together women from a range of backgrounds to share their experiences and provide insights into how they could play a vital role in this year’s theme of ‘accelerating action’ towards gender equality.
Guest speakers included Alliance Assemblywoman Connie Egan, writer and actress Lata Sharma, Kilcooley Women’s Centre training manager Sarah Collyer, writer Judith Heede and Ards and North Down Policing and Community Safety Partnership (PCSP) manager Emma Kennan.
Alison Blayney, Kilcooley Women’s Centre executive director, said: “Kilcooley Women’s Centre were delighted to host a borough wide International Women’s Day event. Together we celebrated the incredible power of unity and the strides we’ve made toward equality, yet recognising the work still to do.
“This International Women’s Day event brought together inspiring women from across Ards and North Down, showcasing the strength, resilience, and diversity of our community.
“It’s a reminder that when women come together, we can create meaningful change and uplift one another. We hope this event will be a catalyst for continued collaboration between women across the region.”
Connie Egan praised the event saying: “Kilcooley Women’s Centre hosted a fantastic event to mark International Women’s Day.
“I was pleased to have the opportunity to speak about my work as Alliance Party spokesperson for Ending Violence Against Women and Girls and on the Justice Committee where we are working with Justice Minister Naomi Long to ensure the Domestic and Sexual Abuse Strategy is fully implemented.
“International Women’s Day is an important opportunity to reflect on the progress we have made towards gender equality, but also to acknowledge how much more there still is to do.”
Said Ms Egan: “I welcome the fact that the event included a presentation from the Police and Community Safety Partnership which focused on supporting organisations to apply for Change Fund grants through Ards and North Down Borough Council. “An effective response to ensure we make meaningful progress toward ending violence against women and girls must have communities at the centre. The work organisations like KWC do is essential to delivering the whole society response we need to end gender-based violence.”
