Trócaire's 2007 Lenten Campaign will focus on gender equality, with particular emphasis on women in conflict and on building support for UN Resolution 1325, which pledges to protect women and children.The resolution, passed in 2000, also calls on countries to prevent violence against women and ensure women can participate in peace processes.Trócaire is also demanding that the Irish government produce a national action plan that will lead to full implementation of the UN Security Council Resolution.
The campaign will promote gender equality by looking at the social roles assigned to men and women and how the two genders are often valued differently. “This campaign is not about women’s rights – it’s about equal rights for men and women,” states their website, http://www.lent.ie/.
“If we had true gender equality, women and men would have equal rights under the law and equal participation in decision-making. They would also have equal access to and control of resources such as food, water and land and benefits granted by states.”
Presently, 70 per cent of people living in poverty and 66 per cent of those who can’t read or write are women. In addition, worldwide, women earn 69 per cent of male wages.
A total of 70 per cent of refugees and displaced people are women, and in 2006, more than twice as many young women were living with HIV as young men.
“Yet women have enormous power to make positive change happen in their communities,” Trócaire asserts.
The organisation works in countries where women are often the main providers for their families and have the primary responsibility for their health and welfare. At the same time, women in these countries do not have equal access to the resources and services that are vital to them, keeping them in poverty.
“As a result women’s experience of poverty is different to that of men; it is more severe and more prevalent.
The quality of life for society as a whole is adversely affected by gender inequality, hindering development and poverty reduction.”
As part of the 2007 Lent C
ampaign, Trócaire will hold a number of public talks around the country:
Wednesday 28th February, 3pm – 5pm. Blue Coat Room, Verbal Arts Centre, Derry.
Thursday 1st March, 7pm – 9pm, Performance Area, Linenhall Library, Belfast.
Monday 5th March, 7pm – 9pm, Siobhan McKenna Theatre, Arts Millennium Building, National University, Galway.
Tuesday 6th March, 7pm – 9pm, Emmet Lecture Hall, Arts Block Room 2037, Trinity College, Dublin.
Wednesday 7th March, 7pm – 9pm, Elect L2, Electrical Engineering Building, University College, Cork.
Guest speakers at the events will include Dr Mona El Farra, a physician and women’s rights activist in Gaza City, and Scholastique Harushiyakira, coordinator of the Burundian women’s network “Dushirahamwe” (or “Let’s Reconcile”).
Both women are associated with Trócaire’s development work in their respective countries.
The theme of their address will be, “Helping Protect Women and Children in Conflict”.
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