Westmeath Community Development

Equality for women

Background and context

Gender equality is based on the idea that while biological differences will always exist between men and women, there are differences between the social roles and needs of women and men, which vary over time and from place to place. Gender equality implies that the different roles and needs of women and men should be equally considered and valued, and that individual men and women should be free to make choices, in their work and personal lives, without the limitations of strict gender roles (NDP Gender Equality Unit 2004).

Thus gender equality in a modern democratic society means that women and men have equal conditions for realising their potential to contribute to the political, economic, social and cultural development at national and local level and to benefit equally from the results.

The importance of gender equality in achieving balanced economic and social development is recognised and modern society requires the involvement of women and men as equals. This does not imply that men and women are basically alike and treating women and men identically does not ensure equal outcomes because women and men experience different living situations.
Gender differences are embedded in all facets of society (cultural, social and political and economic which re-enforce women’s unequal status and this legacy of women’s subordination has led to continued discrimination against women, despite considerable advances that include the enactment of relevant equality legislation.

Gender equality if further intensified by race, ethnicity, disability, age, sexual orientation and other factors such as social exclusion.

Therefore when considering how to progress greater equality for women, it is critical to recognise that women are not a homogenous group and that the diversity of women needs to be reflected in all related activities.

A gender equal society is one where:
• There is equality between women and men in the social, economic, political, cultural and caring areas.
• Women have achieved equality of access, participation and outcome in all spheres of society both public and private.
• The diversity among women is acknowledged, valued and accommodated in policy and institutional practice.

Due to the cohesion process WCDL have inherited the very successful equality women’s project that operates in Athlone. A part time community worker for women has now been employed for 2009 to help sustain the women’s groups in the RAPID areas of Athlone. The aim of this project is to identify and address the barriers that are preventing women from accessing education, employment, training and decision making structures. Whilst this project is concentrated in Athlone a proposal for funding has been submitted for a County wide project and we are awaiting a decision. It is hoped that work concerning equality for women can be extended to the rest of the County and some preliminary work is taking place in this regard.

For further information please contact:
Linda-Jo Quinn LDSIP, Co-ordinator EWM Project Manager.  Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it