SERVICES
A series of Women’s Safety Audits took place in Monaghan during October which aimed to highlight specific safety concerns faced by women when walking in the centres of our large towns.
Findings from the audits will be shared in November as part of the United Nation’s 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence campaign. The campaign, which kicks off on 25th November which is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, runs until the 10th of December which is Human Rights Day.
Every year the Campaign focuses on a specific theme and this year’s is “UNITE! Invest to prevent violence against women and girls.” This year’s campaign calls on governments worldwide to share how they are investing in gender-based violence prevention. For more details, please see www.unwomen.org
The Women’s Safety Audits were a joint initiative between the Monaghan’s Women’s Assembly and the Equality Subgroup. The key objective is to provide safer spaces for women of all ages to walk in our towns. This will increase the opportunity for exercise and improve the health and well-being of women in the county.
The audits took place on the following dates:
- Clones – Wednesday 9th October
- Ballybay – Wednesday 16th October
- Blayney – Monday 21st October
- Carrickmacross – Wednesday 23rd October
- Monaghan – Wednesday 30th October
A feature of the initiative was the partnership approach taken whereby a local group came on board to provide local knowledge including walking routes, and personnel for each audit. The groups included Clones Family Resource Centre, the Peace Link, Ballybay Pearse Brothers, WCI Blayney Blades, Carrickmacross Workhouse and Dochas for Women (WCI Monaghan).
Refreshments and a safety briefing were provided at each of the events. Items such as high viz vests, safety alarms and LED lighted hats were presented to each of the participants. Members of the Monaghan’s Women’s Assembly and the Equality Subgroup were also in attendance at each event.
The groups were given a safety audit sheet and were asked to consider a number of areas including lighting, signage, visibility and safety, accessibility and parking. For example, a number of faulty public lights were reported, and possible trip hazards were identified.
The Audit Findings will be presented to the Municipal District Engineers in each of the three areas’: Ballybay Clones MD, Carrickmacross/Castleblayney MD and Monaghan MD, for their consideration, and so that issues identified can be addressed.
Ursula McKenna, Chair of the LCDC Equality Subgroup, believes that the audits were a great success. She said “The feedback from the local partners involved in the audits has been very positive. The audits are a practicable way to look at safer walking spaces in our towns. They are also a great way to highlight women’s safety issues in the media and in our communities. We acknowledge the support of Monaghan County Council, whom we are working with to ensure that the management of our public spaces will provide safe walking environments for women in the county”.
Cllr. Cathy Bennett, Chair of the Women’s Safety Audit, praised the local groups who took part. She said “It was great to see so many women of all ages getting involved and taking responsibility for addressing safety in their communities. Ultimately the audits will play a major part in providing safer spaces for women of all ages to walk in our towns in Monaghan. We will publish our findings from each of the five towns in November as part of the United Nation’s 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence campaign, which we are proud that Monaghan is taking part in. Finally, I would like to thank each member of our partner groups in our five towns who took part.”
