Republican News · Thursday 12 December 2002

What Sinn Féin is doing

Recognising how far Sinn Féin has to travel, a number of gender impact assessment seminars have been organised around the country to discuss gender proofing policies and issues in terms of the party and in society as a whole. Equality is the watchword for this ongoing series.

Targeting various sections within the party, these seminars have been specific to those developing policy, at leadership levels in comhairlí ceantair, election directorates, elected reps and party spokespersons. Participants have indicated that equipping them with tools appropriate to their role in the organisation, eg. gender impact assessment and gender proofing, has been very useful.

"With the assistance from the 'Equality for Women Measure' we have embarked upon a journey with a new approach on gender equality, a process that will enrich our political approaches and outlook on economic, social, cultural and political equality," says Lucilita Breathnach, head of the party's Equality Department.

In the New Year, as part of this programme, the Sinn Féin Ard Chomhairle will meet for a special gender impact assessment seminar. At that meeting, strategy papers developed by the Equality Department will be presented and discussed. These papers will look at how Sinn Féin can remove any inequalities that exist within the party and measures to support women and increase their participation both in decision-making at all levels of the party. It will also look at how barriers can be removed, examining policy areas and gender proofing. This will involve looking at models that can be introduced at all levels of the party in a holistic manner.

The party is also hoping to have completed by the end of this year the first stage of an audit of women members. A sample survey already taken within the party indicated quite strongly that women were seeking up-skilling. The main areas identified were around media training, negotiation and presentation skills.

"We want to bring this programme to women, to make it as accessible as possible for the maximum amount of women within the party who wish to access it," says Lucilita.

Sinn Féin has secured limited funding from the 26-County Department of Justice Equality and Law Reform under the Equality for Women Measure for a programme of work to increase women's participation at decision making levels and women's representation. Some 70 other groups are also receiving varying degrees of financial support for similar programmes of work under the measure.

A programme of training workshops for women in Sinn Féin will commence in February. Those doing the training will use January for preparations. Those who wish to participate will be afforded training in presentation and negotiation skills and the media. There will also be a section on women in Irish history and party structures.

"Affirmative action is required to tackle the institutional barriers faced by women in all areas of society and in our party," says Lucilita. "If we are truly committed to achieving an Ireland of Equals, we have to start with ourselves. Our role is to try to tackle inequality wherever it may exist. That is a responsibility for us all. We want a sea change in the political culture. We will play our part by empowering women republicans and by educating everyone in Sinn Féin to recognise and reject gender inequality. It is about promoting awareness of genderproofing and making it the norm in our daily work.

"As in all areas of the Equality Agenda, this is about redressing the balance. This is about a culture of change that will benefit all of society, men and women. This is an integral part of our vision of an Ireland of equals."