Cross-border women’s group focuses on barriers to progress

A second joint committee meeting aimed at advancing the role of women in the public sector labour market in the Derry and Donegal areas of the north-west has taken place.

The Cross Border Women’s Development Project met at Donegal County Council offices in Lifford on Monday. Representatives included Councillors and officers from both Derry City and Donegal County Councils.

Commenting on the meeting, Mayor of Derry Councillor Shaun Gallagher said: “The Cross Border Women’s Development Project is making significant headway in examining the issues which have prevented women from making progress within Derry City and Donegal County councils and in taking proactive steps to address these issues.

“As part of the project the Councils have recently advertised for independent researchers to come in and undertake studies which will identify particular barriers that have impeded the progression of women in the workplace.”

A workplace review study will establish information in the respective organisations in areas including training, career development and progression, equality, bullying and harassment, work morale and communications.

The review will help provide a focus in developing policies for promoting equality of opportunity for all sections of the workplace.

The second study will focus specifically on the barriers that prevent women from advancing within the two participating councils and the obstacles that prevent women from entering the local government labour market at all occupation levels.

The Cross Border Women’s Development Project is a two-year initiative of Derry City Council and Donegal County Council and is partly funded by the EU Programme for Peace and Reconciliation under Measure 5.2.

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