The Information & Support Unit launched a Gender Based Violence leaflet on Monday 9th March 2009 by Breda Ryan of Oasis House (Women Refugee Centre). The launch of the leaflet coincided with International Women’s Day for which the ISU hosted a Breakfast Bash for local women’s groups.
A good number of women worldwide suffer different forms of domestic violence at home in the hands of their trusted partners, the ISU recognises that domestic abuse affects most women irrespective of their skin colour, age, cultural background, social status and religion.
The leaflet was put together over 4 facilitated workshops by the existing ISU Women’s Group and representatives from Waterford Women’s Centre, Oasis House, and Independent Mothers Project.
In putting together this leaflet, the women made enormous contribution in coming up with information which formed the body of the leaflet and creative ideas in designing the layout, colour and image used for the leaflet.
The leaflet is comprised of 5 different languages to accommodate people from different nationalities, realising that language is a huge barrier to women who are less likely to discuss issues of abuse at home; the leaflet is made simple to read and understand.
The event attracted individuals and representative from different organisations who are interested in women’s issues. The event was well attended and very colourful, foreign national women in attendance wore their traditional outfits to celebrate the occasion with us.
The whole theme running through the event was pink, this was to mark and share the pain with women across the globe that is suffering or has suffered domestic abuse. Each woman in attendance was presented with a pink candle on going home.
The ISU would like to thank the following bodies for funding this piece of work, The ISU (Information & Support Unit for New Communities), COSC-Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, St Stephen Green Trust Fund and Katharine Howard Foundation. A big Thank you to ISU Women’s group, Oasis House (Women’s Refugee Centre), Independent Mothers Project, Women’s Centre, and individuals involved in the production and launch of the Leaflet.
The leaflet is comprised of 5 different languages to accommodate people from different nationalities, realising that language is a huge barrier to women who are less likely to discuss issues of abuse at home; the leaflet is made simple to read and understand.