WIPL Conference Summary
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Transcript of WIPL Conference Summary
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7/29/2019 WIPL Conference Summary
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Conference 2012
The WIPL conference celebrated the work of the project over the past
three years. Over 180 women attended from the North West region
and Scotland, many of whom had participated in WIPLs training
programmes, workshops and seminars. The conference provided an
opportunity to capture the learning from project partners and
explored a number of key questions on womens leadership.
Conversation on womens leadership chaired by Margaret E Ward with
Bernadette McAliskey, Fiona Mackay and Ailbhe Smith
Womens Leadership in Reshaping SocietySummary of conference proceedings, Derry, September 2012
Key points on womens leadership Historically, public and political life was created for men and
is, by design, exclusive of women. Thus, transforming the
current power structures is urgently required.
Leadership, which involves building self worth and developingskills, has come to be surrounded by mystique. Currently,
leadership qualities such as relationship building, still regarded
as the preserve of women have not become mainstream.
Leadership training must be followed with opportunity toparticipate in decision making. Experiential learning, acornerstone of leadership training, has become devalued.
Women are taking to the streets again as the recessiondeepens. Anger at seeing rights eroded is a motivating factor.
Role model imaging can be empowering but also limiting.Instead think about Rebuilding womens independence and
planning for the future is vital, otherwise the gains made are
in danger of being lost.
Women into Public Life (WIPL) is a
regional partnership between
Second Chance Education Project
for Women (Donegal), Foyle
Womens Information Network
(Derry/Londonderry), Engender
(Scotland) and Donegal County
Council. WIPL was funded from
2010-12 by the EUs INTERREG IVA
Programme which is managed bythe Special EU Programmes Body
(SEUPB)
WIPL Steering Committee with
Mayors of Derry and Donegal who
opened the conference.
With more WIPL type programmes,
the qualities women bring to
leadership will come to be viewed
as more mainstream, a welcome
development to the situation
heretofore, where women whosucceeded were those that
emulated traditional masculine
qualities
Dr. Fiona Mackay, University of
Edinburgh
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EMPLOYEE NEWSLETTER
Research on the gender balance of boards of key decision making
structures in Donegal and Derry/Londonderry was launched at the
conference. A panel of elected representatives responding to the research
highlighted the need for improved gender balance within all partner
urisdictions and cited several examples of the chasm between policy andpractice. While opposing views on legislating for quotas were expressed,
the need for recruiting women into public life who represent the broad
spectrum of womens issues across all strata of society was emphasised.
Reform of the public appointments system was urgently recommended.
The need for a female apprenticeship programme, the necessity of state
bodies embracing the wealth of womens experience and the need for a
commission of public appointments in the Republic of Ireland were raised
by delegates.
Panel discussion: Kathleen Lynch TD, Cllr. Ellen Morton, Martina Anderson
EP and Anne McAteer, HSE
Where are the women?
Im not a feminist but- delegates highlighted that feminism
is often misunderstood, is broad ranging and has different
meanings depending on your particular life stage, life choices,
experience and world view.
Gender quotas in Irish politics- the recently enacted legislation
in the Republic was regarded as a good starting point. A similar
parity law in France was discussed; however, it was emphasized
that legislation does not automatically lead to change.
Nobody ever asked me...! Making the leap into party politics -elected representatives discussed the personal challenges of
politics, the need for family friendly work practices and the
importance of having support systems in place.
Campaigning and influencing participants heard of successful
campaigns such as the Pink Ladies Breast Cancer Support Group
and the Empty Purse campaign by the Womens Resource &
Development Agency.
Workshop discussions
Its still a male, pale world
here in Scotland.Cllr. Ellen Morton
I believe that if you legislate,
the barriers will fall.
Kathleen Lynch, TD
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Workshop discussions, contdWomens leadership and the boardroom the lack of transparency regarding board appointments in
NI was raised as a key factor for poor levels of female applicants. In the Republic of Ireland the absence
of any process or commission for public appointments was regarded as a major issue which needs to be
urgently addressed.
There she goes again sticking to our agendas as leaders to advance womens equality Working
within a deeply embedded patriarchal world was viewed as challenging and it was recommended that
other models of leadership and good practice - family friendly and creative in nature be explored.
Speaking Up - To manage situations where women find it difficult to speak up practical tips were
suggested: managing your physical reactions; preparing well; knowing your strengths; letting go of
points if no longer valid, evaluating your performance and learning when to stop speaking!
Key RecommendationsThe energy and enthusiasm of participants at the conference clearlydemonstrated the importance of providing spaces and opportunities
for women to debate and strategise on what is required to address the
under-representation of women in public life. Some key
recommendations included:
We need a more transparent process in public appointmentsin Northern Ireland and a formal appointments system in the
Republic of Ireland.
We need more emphasis on quotas in politics in NorthernIreland; if you legislate, the barriers will fall.
We need men need to take a step back. We dont always need training we need opportunities; its a
demand problem, not a supply problem.
We need mentoring and support systems.Be prepared, utilise all your
contacts, believe in yourself, lear
the rules, be inclusive, consider
cost and embrace your
uniqueness!
(May Blood, Closing Comments)
Donegal Co Council Second Chance Education Foyle Womens
Project for Women Information Network
For a copy of the full conference report and video visit:
www.fwin.org.uk
www.derrycity.gov.uk/woman
www.donegalcdb.ie
The views and opinions expresse
in this report do not necessarily
reflect those of the European
Commission or the Special EU
Programmes Body.
http://www.fwin.org.uk/http://www.fwin.org.uk/http://www.derrycity.gov.uk/womanhttp://www.derrycity.gov.uk/womanhttp://www.donegalcdb.ie/http://www.donegalcdb.ie/http://www.donegalcdb.ie/http://www.derrycity.gov.uk/womanhttp://www.fwin.org.uk/