Information on the Project

Background to the project

The Department of Justice, Equality & Law Reform has allocated funding to the Women's Issues Task Force under the South Kerry Development Partnership Ltd. to implement the Equality for Women Measure, in the South Kerry area.   The South Kerry Equality Measure is aimed specifically at improving business & employment opportunities for women to increase their participation in the local economy.  This Equality Measure is called the Kerry Women Together Programme.

To know more about the programme, please click on the following links.

Who is running the project?

• A Women's Issues Regional Task-Force has been formed to manage the project in conjunction with a Project Coordinator, Enterprise & Employment Officer and Support Personnel from South Kerry Development Partnership.  The Women’s Issues Regional Taskforce is made up of 16 women, representative members for various women’s organisations in South Kerry, and was formed under South Kerry Development Partnership.  These women are responsible for steering the project i.e. the management, implementation and evaluation of the Equality Measure for South Kerry 2001-2004.

Project Aims

1. To strengthen the Women’s Issues Regional Task Force through training

2. To establish/develop Sub-Regional Women's Networks with the aim of increasing the participation of women in the economic and social affairs of South Kerry

3. Training and development of women at a personal, professional and holistic level to improve their business and employment opportunities

4. To promote flexible work practices with the Local Employment Services (LES) and employers.

How will these aims be achieved?

• The Women’s Issues Task Force will undertake training and development focusing on skills development in project management, enterprise and employment issues, policy-making and lobbying.  The Project hopes to strengthen the Women’s Issues Regional Task Force so they will effectively disseminate information to women’s groups in South Kerry and be the ‘voice’ for South Kerry women at county, regional and national level.

• Sub-Regional Networks.  Women’s groups in the greater sub-regions of Killarney, Kenmare, Killorglin and Cahersiveen will be linked to form sub-regional networks.  This will be achieved by bringing existing groups of women and business women in the area together.  The Women’s Issues Task Force will be the mechanism of targeting women and it is envisaged that this will result in formalising group membership and increasing the existing membership base. 

• Training and Education for women participating in the project who are pursuing self-employment or  general employment focusing on

Holistic Approach i.e. flexible employment/training taking into account personal circumstances of ladies involved e.g. funding for childcare/elder care for the duration of the training sessions.

• Increase Women’s Participation in the Local Economy

   Practical group marketing activities promoting the entrepreneurial capacity of women and the role those women play in the regions economic development.  

  To enhance employment opportunities, the Women’s Issue Task Force will work with South Kerry Local Employment Services to:

  • Improve employment opportunities for women.  This will involve information-sharing and referral work whereby women who wish to work or are seeking work will be referred to the appropriate sub-regional Local Employment Services office.

  •  Negotiation/Consultation meetings with potential employers to promote the idea of flexible working practices.

  •  Seminars on alternative work practices/worklife balance will be organised in the four sub-regions

This project is funded by the Equality for Women Measure of the Regional Operational Programme of the National Development Plan 2000 - 2006
The Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform is responsible for the Equality for Women Measure