Barriers to women must be removed - Donaldson

Barriers which inhibit the progress of women must be removed to ensure they have equal opportunities to participate in the design and development of a progressive and settled Northern Ireland society

That was the message from Junior Minister Jeffrey Donaldson today when he addressed the Women in Local Councils – making a Difference event at Hillsborough Castle.

The event celebrates the success of the Local Government Staff Commission in raising the profile of women in local government.

Jeffrey Donaldson said: “In 2006, the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister published the Gender Equality Strategy. Among its aims is to ensure the active and equal participation of women and men at all levels of society.

“Women must be empowered to develop and participate in areas of society which previously excluded them. It is imperative that we embrace all initiatives which seek to redress the imbalance of the past.

Mr Donaldson added: "We must endeavour to seek a change in attitudes, to ensure that the current issue of under representation of women in public life is remedied, to enable women to achieve their full potential and make a difference."

Notes to Editors:

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