World Rural Women's Day 2009  -  16/10/2009 ________________________________________________________________________________ Northern Ireland Rural Women's Network this year helped celebrate World Rural Women's Day locally. 150 rural women travelled from all over the Province to Cookstown to enjoy a local celebration of a day acknowledged across the world as one dedicated to rural women. Speaking at the event, Joan McCool, NIRWN Chair said, "This is an important date in the calendar for rural women. The UN General Assembly declared to observe 15 October as 'International Day of Rural Women', which means that as a consequence all UN Member States are called to officially mark the Day in their respective countries. This then allows rural women the opportunity to ask our government what it is doing to address their right to development, to acknowledge their contributions and help improve their conditions." NIRWN holds this day as a celebration every year and along with giving rural women the opportunity to network it does take a serious look at the main issues facing rural women. At the event The Consumer Council's Nora Quigley spoke to delegates about their personal budgets and gave an insightful talk on how people can ensure that their money is used in the most effective way possible. Nora said "It is hugely important that rural women have knowledge about their personal finances as very often they are the budget holders in the home. Today it is more important as everyone feels the pinch of the credit crunch and therefore it is so important that people can manage their money effectively." Lynn Carvill, Women's Sector Lobbyist, then spoke to those present about the work that she does with Politicians and Elected Representatives. Lynn talked about how she works to ensure that women know about discussions and debates that will have a direct impact on their lives and that women have a voice in shaping policies. At the event Lynn spoke in particular about the new Welfare Reforms that will impact on the lives of a large number of people living in Northern Ireland and told of the responses she makes and the attention she draws to issues like this. The day ended on a lighter note with Alma McManus, a qualified Clothesologist. Alma has over 20 years experience in the clothing, design and manufacturing sectors and NIRWN invited her along on the day to discuss how to present yourself and how this can have a major impact on your success. Alma is a rural woman who has established her own business and also gave an insight into the trials and tribulations of running a successful business in difficult economic conditions. Rural women's activities have been the backbone of rural community life, in terms of supporting farming and families and preserving the social capital of communities. This activity has often been viewed as a secondary activity which is not recognised or valued at the decision making or policy level. Rural women feel the need to have a voice and this was very clear by the numbers attending today's event.