More than 100 Irish women leaders (and some men), from all walks of life, came together to exchange views on the economic crisis at a special one-day conference entitled "Challenges to Irish women in the current economic climate" held in Dublin on 4 April.
What role can women play in the national and global recovery? Do we need more female leadership in politics and society? Are women losing out more in the current downturn? These are some of the questions that were asked and answered at the conference that took place at the European Commission Representation in Dublin last Saturday.
Each speaker looked at the recession from a different angle: economic, social, European and financial. But they also looked ahead to find out how women can create new opportunities and find solutions in these challenging times.
Olivia O'Leary chaired the event and the keynote speakers included tax expert Suzanne Kelly, leading psychiatrist Dr Patricia Casey, Sean Burke of Enterprise Ireland and Siobhan Duffy, solicitor and expert in European affairs.
Martin Territt, Director of the European Commission Representation in Ireland welcomed the attendees by saying, “Having more women engaged in politics is important for the sake of democracy, for the sake of Europe and for the sake of the whole world. The future European Parliament should be representative of all Europeans and women need to take centre stage in the European political space so that policy and law reflects the needs of society.”
Tax expert and leading commentator Suzanne Kelly remarked, “During the period of convulsive change corporate man has lost his footing and there is an opportunity for a new social model to evolve. Given the adaptive nature of women, we are well suited to step into the breach. However, we need to step forward and become more informed in finance, politics and the economy.”
Dr Casey focused on the impact the recession was having on the family, “Family bonds are under intense strain in this recession. Unemployment has a real effect in terms of mental health, and the anxiety it causes has repercussions for the whole family unit. The medical services are coping as best as they can but given the squeeze on resources their capacity is finite.”
Attendees at the event also included Mary-Lou McDonald MEP and Sinead Ni Bhroin (Sinn Féin candidate in the European elections), Nessa Childers, (Labour Party candidate in the European elections), Pauline Walley (Senior Counsel), women NGO and business leaders, lawyers and academics.