THE VITAL VOICE OF WOMEN
The Vital Voice of women
Seminar told of role to play in quest for peace
By Niall Blaney
WOMEN must lead the way in delivering lasting peace in Northern Ireland, political leaders told a major Belfast conference yesterday.
Hundreds of delegates attending the Vital Voices seminar at the Waterfront Hall heard Deputy First Minister Seamus Mallon say the Good Friday agreement was the beginning and not the end.
He said Northern Ireland was a society in which words killed but said words must now be used to heal.
He said: "Even as we sit in this building, some vital voices echo from the immediacy of the past tragic weeks. That of Rev William Bingham when, after the tragic burning to death of three young brothers at Ballymoney, he posed the moral question to those involved in the Drumcree standoff 'Is any march worth a single death?' That voice was vital, it was courageous, thankfully it was heard."
He told the delegates: "You join us as we set forth on possibly the most awesome journey that has ever been undertaken in the history of this island. Our vision, and opportunity reflect something afforded to few societies - the chance to begin again."
However Mr Mallon said the process faced a series of challenges.
Political parties had to make space for each other, while the agreement provided a statutory obligation for equality of opportunity.
"My vision is that we will not just make it work but that we will make of the agreement an outstanding model of governance, our own shining city on the mountain.
"It has been said that the new executive and assembly will be the most closely scrutinised and most commented upon polity of its size in the world. Indeed it will; but let our ambition be that over time people will look to Northern Ireland to learn how we have used this unprecedented opportunity for renewal and rebirth."
The deputy first minister said it was unacceptable that women only held nine per cent of top jobs in the Civil Service and amounted to only 32 per cent of members on the boards of public bodies. First Minister David Trimble said despite the slaughter of so many women, men and children in Omagh the community was not in despair and had not lost faith in the future.
"Acts which were intended to divide and destroy, have in fact united communities and strengthened that solidarity that has been a feature of civil society here.
"Many of the mothers, wives and daughters of Northern Ireland have been tenacious voices for peace, and it is fitting that this conference recognises just how vital those voices can be in building a Northern Ireland at peace with itself."
Mr Trimble said the conference was taking place at a unique time in the history of Northern Ireland when the majority of people wanted the godfathers of violence consigned to the rubbish bin of history.
The concerns, energy and vision of women was essential to the creation of a new form of local governance, he said.
"One immediate issue of gender access is that of the serious under-representation of women in public life in Northern Ireland. The agreement provides opportunities not only to reshape public administration in ways that will not only command greater public confidence, but also broaden participation.
"That only 14 of the 108 assembly members are women is clearly less than satisfactory."
Secretary of State Mo Mowlam said the conference illustrated how powerful women in Northern Ireland are.
The participation of women in the political process showed there was "more to unite us than divide us".
She said: "Women have been there in the community and voluntary groups, in the political parties, trade unions and business helping to build up in the community the respect for each other needed to make peace possible. It is no coincidence that 75 per cent of women in Northern Ireland voted for the agreement."
The three-day conference - Vital Voices, Women in Democracy - focuses on the promotion of women in all aspects of life.
Director Theresa Loar said: "Women from the top of the business world or starting their own companies, women beginning or continuing their public lives, women who have fought the battles for peace, for hope - in their communities, their churches, their schools - are coming together at the Waterfront Hall to seize this moment to build for the future."
American First Lady Hillary Clinton will address the conference tomorrow.
Seminar told of role to play in quest for peace
By Niall Blaney
WOMEN must lead the way in delivering lasting peace in Northern Ireland, political leaders told a major Belfast conference yesterday.
Hundreds of delegates attending the Vital Voices seminar at the Waterfront Hall heard Deputy First Minister Seamus Mallon say the Good Friday agreement was the beginning and not the end.
He said Northern Ireland was a society in which words killed but said words must now be used to heal.
He said: "Even as we sit in this building, some vital voices echo from the immediacy of the past tragic weeks. That of Rev William Bingham when, after the tragic burning to death of three young brothers at Ballymoney, he posed the moral question to those involved in the Drumcree standoff 'Is any march worth a single death?' That voice was vital, it was courageous, thankfully it was heard."
He told the delegates: "You join us as we set forth on possibly the most awesome journey that has ever been undertaken in the history of this island. Our vision, and opportunity reflect something afforded to few societies - the chance to begin again."
However Mr Mallon said the process faced a series of challenges.
Political parties had to make space for each other, while the agreement provided a statutory obligation for equality of opportunity.
"My vision is that we will not just make it work but that we will make of the agreement an outstanding model of governance, our own shining city on the mountain.
"It has been said that the new executive and assembly will be the most closely scrutinised and most commented upon polity of its size in the world. Indeed it will; but let our ambition be that over time people will look to Northern Ireland to learn how we have used this unprecedented opportunity for renewal and rebirth."
The deputy first minister said it was unacceptable that women only held nine per cent of top jobs in the Civil Service and amounted to only 32 per cent of members on the boards of public bodies. First Minister David Trimble said despite the slaughter of so many women, men and children in Omagh the community was not in despair and had not lost faith in the future.
"Acts which were intended to divide and destroy, have in fact united communities and strengthened that solidarity that has been a feature of civil society here.
"Many of the mothers, wives and daughters of Northern Ireland have been tenacious voices for peace, and it is fitting that this conference recognises just how vital those voices can be in building a Northern Ireland at peace with itself."
Mr Trimble said the conference was taking place at a unique time in the history of Northern Ireland when the majority of people wanted the godfathers of violence consigned to the rubbish bin of history.
The concerns, energy and vision of women was essential to the creation of a new form of local governance, he said.
"One immediate issue of gender access is that of the serious under-representation of women in public life in Northern Ireland. The agreement provides opportunities not only to reshape public administration in ways that will not only command greater public confidence, but also broaden participation.
"That only 14 of the 108 assembly members are women is clearly less than satisfactory."
Secretary of State Mo Mowlam said the conference illustrated how powerful women in Northern Ireland are.
The participation of women in the political process showed there was "more to unite us than divide us".
She said: "Women have been there in the community and voluntary groups, in the political parties, trade unions and business helping to build up in the community the respect for each other needed to make peace possible. It is no coincidence that 75 per cent of women in Northern Ireland voted for the agreement."
The three-day conference - Vital Voices, Women in Democracy - focuses on the promotion of women in all aspects of life.
Director Theresa Loar said: "Women from the top of the business world or starting their own companies, women beginning or continuing their public lives, women who have fought the battles for peace, for hope - in their communities, their churches, their schools - are coming together at the Waterfront Hall to seize this moment to build for the future."
American First Lady Hillary Clinton will address the conference tomorrow.
Further Information
Publisher: THE IRISH NEWS
Ref: IN/0343
Published Date: 01-Sep-98
Related Images
There have been no images archived for this article.