Make some noise on International Women’s Day

INTERNATIONAL Women’s Day, March 8, is approaching and the Clare Women’s Network is calling upon the women and men of County Clare to join them on Knox’s Bridge and “make some noise” on the Clonroad, Ennis between 1pm and 2pm.
Now in its third year, the Join me on the Bridge campaign started in 2010 when women from Congo and Rwanda joined together on the bridge connecting their two countries, showing that they could build the bridges of peace and hope for the future. This action sparked a massive global movement and last year, they were joined by thousands of people on hundreds of bridges worldwide.
“We are calling on people to join in on this act of solidarity the world over in building bridges to sustainable peace and the eradication of violence in the personal, public and political domain. International Women’s Day is a key global event to celebrate women’s, often unpaid, contribution to society, to raise issues that affect women and to inform women on the supports and services available in their localities. Do join us on March 8, our strength is in our number,” explained a spokeswoman for Clare Women’s Network.
On the day, the Clare Women’s Network will be joined by many agencies including the Rape Crisis Centre, Clare Haven House, Ennis CDP, Clare Intercultural Network, Clare Immigrant Support Centre, to name a few.
“Mayor Pat Hayes will officially launch this important and worthy bridge campaign in a demonstration of solidarity with the women of Clare, Ireland and Internationally. We are urging all men, women and children to join us for this important event,” the spokeswoman added.
Later in the evening, ladies are being invited to dress-up and put on their dancing shoes and join CWN for a celebratory evening of song, dance and music in the Old Ground Hotel, Ennis between 7pm and 10pm. 
The ‘Excelling Women Network’ will kick-off the evening with the launch of the Clare branch of this intercultural women’s network focusing on mutual support, development and the empowerment of women.  This will be followed a performance from Kate Njoku and global song from the Suara Community singing group and belly dancing with Armella Doyle. The evening event is being held in partnership with Clare Immigrant Support Centre.
Other events taking place to mark International Women’s Day include a fabric art Workshop with artist Martina Hynan at 11am on Monday at Clare Training Resource Centre; a cancer Information Evening at 7pm at the Old Ground Hotel with a variety of guest speakers, which will include women’s personal stories and information on rights and entitlements. There will be a women’s sporting event in St Flannan’s on Tuesday at 8pm, which will include aerobics and women’s Futsal, this event is being held in partnership with Clare Intercultural Network, Clare Sports Partnership and the FAI.
On Wednesday, at 7.30pm, there will be a public meeting on issues affecting the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender community, such as bullying, homophobia, stigma and stereotyping, so if you or any of your friends or family are affected by any these issues you are welcome to join.
“These talks will be on what it is like to be an LGBT individual in Ireland today. The talks will be given by members of the group and a trained councillor who specialises in lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender issues and they will be happy to answer any questions you may have at the question and answer session afterwards,” explained the spokeswoman.
“International Women’s Day celebrated its centenary last year of marking the political, social and economic achievements of women the world over and as a platform to highlight issues facing women and to mobilise actions for change.  The Clare Women’s Network seeks to ensure a safe society in which all women are valued, included and experience equality of opportunity at all levels of life-socially, politically and economically.”
The Rape Crisis Centre Mid-West opened an outreach centre in Ennis last November to meet the needs of service users from County Clare who found the journey to Limerick difficult. The Rape Crisis Centre’s vision is “of a society where the right of all adults and children to live a life free from all forms of sexual violence is upheld”. You can contact the Clare Women’s Network on 065 6828731 or info@cwn.ie. The Rape Crisis Centre Mid-West’s Ennis Outreach Centre can be contacted on free phone 1800 311511 or 061 311511.