Sinn Féin Councillor Leanne Peacock has said that she is delighted and honoured to have been selected as the inaugural chair of the very first women’s committee on Causeway Coast and Glens after her motion seen the committee established.
Cllr Peacock said: “I would like to extend my thanks to my fellow councillors for kindly electing me as the first chair of the very first women’s committee on Causeway Coast and Glens Council. I was delighted that my motion brought this committee about and have no doubt that it will have a huge influence across Council and the wider council area.
“Having had our first meeting, we are all in agreement that this Committee is not just something that will tackle issues within local government but societal issues that impact women in all walks of life and enable us to engage with the women we represent to tackle the issues that they are facing.
“There are many issues which we are keen to address from training and development programmes for women in council and across the area, promoting women’s healthcare issues, looking at pay disparity across sectors in the area and engaging with and empowering women in communities to name only a few. We are keen to hit the ground running and have already begun discussions on beginning an audit of council buildings to ensure that they cater to the needs of women and men, reviewing council policies and looking at a shadowing programme for female staff members at all levels of the organisation to shadow senior council personnel to gain knowledge, confidence and experience . There is a lot of work to be done and a lot of exciting ideas but I have no doubt that with the caliber of our members and staff involved that there is a lot that together we will achieve This Committee also provides a vital networking channel for elected members and staff alike which is an opportunity to share knowledge, skills and experience.
“I welcome this coming together and look forward to working with all those involved in the committee going forward promoting and tackling key women’s issues and acting as a forum of empowerment.”
