National Women’s Council holds meeting to mark International Day of Action on Women’s Health

Published: Thursday, May 26, 2005

To mark International Day of Action on Women's Health (28th May 2005), the National Women's Council of Ireland (NWCI) will hold a special meeting in Dublin on Friday 27th May 2005.

The meeting will see NWCI affiliate members and other interested parties coming together to discuss women's health policy in Ireland from the perspective of their own work and experiences.

NWCI is currently developing a position paper on women's health policy. The document will be completed during the coming Summer and launched in Autumn 2005.

'The NWCI affiliate members have always been concerned about women's health and in fact contributed significantly to the government's policy 'A Plan for Women's Health, 1997-1999' stated Annie Dillon, Outreach Facilitator (Health) NWCI , ' in 2005 there is a urgent requirement on the government to refocus on current women's health policy needs' she continued.

The policy position that the NWCI will ultimately adopt will be informed by national and international research as well as the views and concerns of NWCI affiliate members. Guest speakers who will make presentations at the meeting include:

• Marie Hainsworth - Deputy Chair, NWCI
• Bridget Quirke, Pavee Point
• Denise Charlton - Immigrant Council of Ireland
• Aoife Byrne - Women's Health Council

'This consultative meeting provides an important space for our affililate members and other interested parties to share their experiences and to make suggestions on strategic actions for moving forward. All points raised today will be used by the NWCI to inform the development of our policy position on women's health and for the future work of the Council in this area' concluded Ms Dillon.