Northern Ireland Rural Women's Network (NIRWN)

Public benefits

The Company is established to promote and support rural women in rural Northern Ireland (the “area of benefit”) without distinction of age, sexuality, nationality, ethnic identity, disability, political or religious opinion, by associating the statutory authorities, voluntary organisations and other bodies the inhabitants and in particular: (i) To

promote the efficiency and effectiveness of rural women’s organisations and projects in the area by providing advice, information, education and training, and practical support to such organisations and projects for the benefit of the public; The direct benefits flowing from this purpose include advancement of citizenship and community development for the benefit of the public. Advancement of education enhanced knowledge and understanding in rural women through receiving access to further education and training. Views of rural women will be taken and represented to Government, statutory agencies, representative bodies. These benefits can be demonstrated by the numbers of groups numbers of groups/ people who receive these benefits, consultation responses submitted and who to, people consulted. (ii) To raise awareness among the general public and provide representation to policy makers of the needs and experiences of rural women in the area of benefit; The direct benefits flowing from this purpose include the general- public, statutory bodies will be made aware of equality issues and the needs, experience, experiences of rural women by consultation responses and research that will be provided to policy makers. These benefits can be demonstrated by rural women/ public will be better informed of policy issues and policy makers informed of issues relating to rural women, policy makers receive robust policy responses from rural women’s prospective. (iii) To promote or assist in promoting cooperation and networking between women’s organisations in the area of benefit for information exchange and policy consultation. The direct benefits flowing from this purpose include the promotion of good citizenship and networking events. These benefits can be demonstrated by two conferences/ events per year will be organised to provide rural women the platform to receive information and advice on women’s sector issues. (iv) To promote the participation of rural women in decision making amongst public bodies in the area of benefit The direct benefits flowing from this purpose include provide information and advice on women’s specific issues, eg Childcare, equality, education availability of services, engagement for women in rural areas to identify on an on- going basis their specific regional support needs. These benefits can be demonstrated by women’s sector e zine will be distributed to rural women, with rural women specific information and advice included, NIRWN will work to support front line rural sector organisations and statutory groups to engage with rural women, to increase and develop networki9ng generally. NIRWN will conduct/ identify research with rural women and disseminate this information.

What your organisation does

1. Advocacy and leadership for Women in rural areas 2. Influence/inform policy for women in rural areas, 3.Research for women in rural areas 4.Service support/engagement and networking for women in rural areas