'My Area - My Life'  -  06/05/2009 ________________________________________________________________________________ Over 100 women from Larne and surrounding rural areas came together on 6th May in Drumalis Retreat Centre to discuss and share their experiences of living in a rural area. The event was organised by Northern Ireland Rural Women's Network (NIRWN) to ensure that the voices of older women are heard and taken into account by decision makers. This is particularly relevant now when there is such a need to look at anti-poverty measures which will enhance the lives of rural people and NIRWN as a regional organisation is working closely with DARD to ensure that the voices of those most excluded is heard by decision makers in all government departments. Dame Joan Harbison Older People's Advocate for Northern Ireland was present to provide an overview of her role and also to hear first hand the concerns that rural older dwellers are experiencing in the North East area. One of the main issues that came out of the day was the lack of accessible transport in rural areas. Women in rural areas have access to limited public transport services and rely more heavily on car travel and the impact of not having access to a car is greater in rural areas. Those without cars suffer from mobility poverty. This has a knock-on affect in accessing childcare, education, health services, employment and issues around social exclusion for rural women. Women with disabilities, women with young families, older women and the problems associated with social exclusion are more prevalent for rural women. Also women's trips are more likely to relate to caring and family responsibilities, while men are more likely to travel for business and leisure. All of these differences suggest that the ways in which public transport is provided has a differential impact on women, requiring consideration of the key issues affecting them - and their potential impact - in the policy-making process. The event served to reinforce the issues concerning women living in rural areas where access to transport is a contributory factor to poverty and social exclusion. Siobhan Doherty, Director of NIRWN commented, 'The Northern Ireland Executive is currently carrying out a review that will lead to the development of a Rural White Paper. The issues that we have heard today, will be highlighted to the necessary government departments as part of this review process. It is essential that rural circumstances are considered when delivering services such as transport and health.' Speakers included local Councillor Rachael Rea MBE, who has lived in a rural setting all of her life. Councillor Rea also highlighted the need for government departments to recognise the needs of rural communities. A number of information stands from organisations such as Help the Aged/Age Concern, PSNI, Handy Van, Larne Borough Council and Access to Benefits were represented at the event, providing information on the types of services that are available for older dwellers. Feedback from the participants was very positive. On leaving the event one elderly rural woman commented, 'I live in a remote rural area, and find it extremely difficult to access information on the types of services that are available to help me. Today was very helpful. It was good to have the chance to talk and share my concerns with others also.'