Happy International Women's Day

Posted on March 08, 2010 at 10:45 AM

Labour Women mark International Womens' Day
Joan Burton TD, Deputy Leader of the Labour Party and Katherine Dunne, Labour Women Chair presenting Mahin Sevidvash of UNIFEM with a cheque.

Labour Deputy Leader Joan Burton TD along with Labour Women marked International Womens' Day by donating to a UNIFEM project which builds shelters for women fleeing violence in Haiti.

Katherine Dunne, Labour Women Chair said, "Women are second-class citizens in Haiti. The minimum legal age for marriage is 15 years for women. Rape was only made a criminal offence in Haiti in 2005. Like domestic violence, women associate rape with shame. There are little protections for girls and women.

"In Haiti, women come last. After the earthquake the situation is even worse with shelters gone, family protection gone and schools gone. With this donation Labour Women want to help and also highlight the dreadful situation with violence against women in Haiti.

"This small donation comes from Labour Party women from all walks of life. Women of all ages, many giving from their pensions or student budgets, have donated to this appeal. It is a donation from the women of Ireland to the women of Haiti."

There are other events organised to mark this day DIT Labour Youth will be holding a stand in the foyer of DIT Aungier Street, Dublin between 11am and 1pm, (find out more on Facebook).

In Dublin North Central, Cllr Aodhan O'Riordain is hosting an informal chat (with coffee and cake) at 8pm in the Le Chéile Centre, Donnycarney with Cllr Claire O'Regan, Bronwen Maher and Sinead Seery.

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