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NWCI is seeking the voices of young women in Ireland

Published: Wednesday, October 16, 2019

The National Women’s Council of Ireland (NWCI) today launched an online survey seeking the views of young women aged 16-25 on the issues that affect them and the campaigns that matter to them.

The responses to this survey will help to shape #FemFest, NWCI’s flagship conference for young women. Now in its fifth year, #FemFest takes place on November 30th and will bring together young women from across the country for the biggest feminist conference for young women in Ireland.

#FemFest is a unique event that provides a safe space for young women to share their ideas and discuss the issues that affect them today. Along with the survey, NWCI is holding a series of workshops with young women ahead of the conference to gather their views on issues such as health, contraception, leadership and equality.

Laura Harmon, NWCI Women in Leadership Coordinator said:

“NWCI wants to hear the views of young women on the issues that matter to them. Against the backdrop of ever increasing societal pressure on women to conform and an ongoing lack of women role models in many spaces of power, #Femfest is a way for young women to come together, challenge  existing narratives and define their own vision for positive change.”

She continued: “Many young women in Ireland today have been mobilised through recent political campaigns – we saw a surge in young women’s voter participation in the referendum to repeal the 8th amendment in 2018 and women’s health and access to contraception will be a key focus at #FemFest this November. Young women are also at the forefront of current campaigns on climate action and they are looking for new ways to make their voices heard - #Femfest offers this platform.”

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For more information, please contact Silke Paasche, Head of Communications, Tel. 085 858 9104, silkep@nwci.ie

Notes to Editor:

The link to the online survey can be found here https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/QPV7MQ8  and will be shared across all of NWCI’s social media platforms: Twitter, Facebook and Instagram
FemFest takes place on Saturday, November 30th in the Radisson Blu Hotel, Dublin 8. Registration will open in early November but any queries can be directed to Laura Harmon: laurah@nwci.ie